Saturday, December 11, 2010

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: General Dynamics Awarded $317 Million For RG-31 MRAP Survivability And Mobility Upgrades

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: General Dynamics Awarded $317 Million For RG-31 MRAP Survivability And Mobility Upgrades
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources General Dynamics
(NSI News Source Info) LONDON, Ontario, Canada - December 11, 2010: The U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command awarded General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada a USD$317.4 million delivery-order modification for upgrade kits for RG-31 Mk5E vehicles previously delivered under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle program. General Dynamics Land Systems, the Canadian company’s parent corporation, is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

The upgrade kits will enhance the survivability and mobility of the RG-31 vehicles to the latest production configuration. Upgrades include the addition of spall liners, an independent suspension axle system and an improved power pack. Delivery of the kits is expected to be completed by November 2011.

Along with a $21.2 million delivery-order modification that was announced on November 30, the value of orders awarded to General Dynamics for the RG-31 upgrade kits now totals $338.6 million. The RG-31 MRAP vehicles have provided outstanding service for U.S. forces in Afghanistan. They have consistently delivered superior levels of protection from mines, improvised explosive devices and other threats while providing the mobility to negotiate an extremely hostile and difficult terrain. “We appreciate the confidence that the U.S. military has in the RG-31 vehicle, as they conduct their missions in a dangerous and uncertain environment,” said Dr. Sridhar Sridharan, senior vice-president of General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. “With these improvements, we are able to further strengthen the performance of the RG-31 in theater and continue to protect the lives of U.S. soldiers.” In total, General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has delivered over 1,600 RG-31 vehicles under the MRAP program. An additional 566 RG-31s have been delivered to U.S. forces under separate contracts. The contract was signed through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a Crown Agency of the Canadian Government. For information about General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada, please visit www.gdlscanada.com. More information about General Dynamics is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

Contact: Ken Yamashita Tel: (519) 964 5813 Email: yamashik@gdls.com

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  • DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $112 Million for Stryker Combat-Vehicle Work

    DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. Army Awards General Dynamics $112 Million for Stryker Combat-Vehicle Work
    Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources General Dynamics
    (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - December 11, 2010: General Dynamics Land Systems has been awarded three contracts by the U.S. Army to support performance specification changes to and fielding of the Stryker vehicle. The contracts are worth a combined $112.2 million. General Dynamics Land Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD).

    The contracts are worth a combined $112.2 million. General Dynamics Land Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.

    “The Stryker is called ‘the backbone’ of the Army’s medium armored brigades and with these contracts, we will continue to strengthen the vehicle so it can protect our troops in theatre,” said Mike Cannon, senior vice president of General Dynamics Land Systems’ Ground Combat Systems. “Stryker delivers strength, speed, lethality and survivability where it counts.”

    Stryker brigades have logged an estimated 25 million miles during 13 rotations to war zones. The Stryker is an eight-wheeled combat vehicle that is lighter, smaller and more readily deployable than other Army combat vehicles. Proven effective by the Army and the National Guard for defense and disaster-response missions, the Stryker family of vehicles stresses performance and commonality to reduce the logistics footprint and minimize costs. Strykers are available in ten variants: infantry carrier vehicle; commander’s vehicle; medical evacuation vehicle; fire support vehicle; engineer squad vehicle; anti-tank guided missile; mortar carrier; reconnaissance vehicle; mobile gun system; and nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle.

    Under one contract for $92 million from the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, General Dynamics will provide design and integration engineering services, prototypes, procurement of materials and components and an integrated solution that will deliver improved blast-protection levels to support Stryker brigades.

    The second contract, worth $11.7 million, is to acquire the production cut-in for alternators and air conditioning for Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) vehicles. The MGS variant is a direct-fire infantry assault platform with a 105mm tank cannon mounted in a low-profile, fully stabilized, “shoot-on-the-move” turret to support dismounted infantry. It destroys vehicles, equipment and hardened positions with its bunker- and wall-breaching capability. It is also equipped to detect nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Work on the contract is expected to by February 2011.

    The third contract awarded is valued at $8.5 million and funds equipment and components in support of total package fielding of Stryker vehicles. Work on the contract is expected be completed by September 2011.

    Work on these contracts will be performed in Sterling Heights, Mich. and London, Ontario, Canada by existing General Dynamics employees.

    Contact: Robin L. Porter Tel: (586) 825-7141 porterr@gdls.com

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