$101.7M for Overhauls & Upgrades of M113 Family APC Variants
BAE Systems Land and Armaments in Anniston, AL received a $90 million firm-fixed-price contract for Overhaul of M577A2, M1068A2, and M1064A2 Armored Personnel Carriers, and upgrade of the same to their A3 Configurations. With the vehicles upgraded under the contract, it will have converted more than 40% of the M113 Family of Vehicles to the A3 configuration.
The M577A2 is an M113 variant with its hull modified for use as a Command Post vehicle. The M1068A2 Standard Integrated Command Post System (SICPS) Carrier is an M577 modified for the next generation of automated command and control through the Army Tactical Command and Control System (ATCCS). About two thirds of the U.S. M577A2 fleet was tasked for to either M1068A3 or M1068 (Basic) configurations. An Operation Iraqi Freedom After-Action Review by the 3rd Infantry Division found that M1068A2s or below had trouble keeping up with the M2 Bradleys and other modern vehicles, and recommended upgrades to the A3 system. The M1064A2 is an M113 variant used as a mortar carrier, armed with an Israeli 120mm Soltam mortar in place of the older 107mm mortar of the M106 series.
Work will be performed in Anniston, AL and is expected to be complete by Jan. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on May 17, 2005 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-C-0463).
Note that the standard A3 RISE (Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment) package for M113 Family vehicles includes an upgraded propulsion system (turbocharged engine and new X-200-4 transmission), greatly improved driver controls (new power brakes and conventional steering controls), external fuel tanks, and 200 AMP alternator with 4 batteries. Additional A3 improvements, include incorporation of spall liners and provisions for mounting external armor.
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While the contracts were not explicitly connected in the releases, the day before the Allison Transmission Division of General Motors Corp., Indianapolis, IN had received an $11.7 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for X200-4A Transmissions in containers.
The Allison X-200-4 transmission replaces the three component M113 A2 vehicle drive train (transfer gear case, transmission, steering differential). The new transmission, designed to provide longer life than the previous configuration, has proven durability that is five times greater than the TX-100-1 transmission that it replaced. Development of the Model X200-4A Transmission was prompted by the heavier derivative vehicles that will utilize 300 hp and 350 hp engines currently under development. The “4A” model features durability and performance improvements in 6 separate areas. It is capable of operating in vehicles up to 40,000 pounds with a top speed of 41 mph. Most importantly, the new model allows for vehicle power growth up to 350 hp. Higher horsepowers makes a heavier vehicle possible; allowing heavier mission payloads and/or greater armor protection.
While it was not specifically designated for that purpose, the X200-4A would be especially useful to variants like the M1068, which carry higher weight loads as a matter of course due to extra size and internal equipment. Because of its application from 275-350 hp, the X200-4A has been phased into production and is the only transmission currently being produced for the M113A3 RISE variants. Note that all vehicles under contract W56HZV-05-C-0463 are being converted to A3 configuration, and that inability to keep up with other armored vehicles was apparently a motivating factor.
Work on this transmission contract will be performed in Indianapolis, IN and is expected to be complete by Aug. 31, 2006. This was also a sole source contract, initiated on May 23, 2005 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (DAAE07-03-C-N197).
Updates
- See also BAE Systems – M113 Into the Next Millennium.
- An April 2006 contract would expand this program, via awards to BAE and GM.
