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Oct 13/10 saw over $140 million in announced contracts related to the US Army’s Stryker fleet. The US Army’s 8×8 Stryker family of wheeled armored vehicles were originally put forward as a C-130-portable medium armor fleet, which might eventually replace heavy and medium tracked vehicle altogether. Battlefield reality ended up pouring very cold water on that notion, as the resulting vehicles could not be carried by C-130s in ready to fight condition, had trouble handling difficult terrain, and can’t be relied on to face enemy heavy armor.
On the other hand, the Stryker Brigade Combat Teams have proven to be very mobile on roads, using their relative silence to tactical advantage, making good use of their advanced computers and communication gear in counter-insurgency fights, and handling certain weapons like land mines and enemy RPG anti-tank rockets better than most people expected they would. The economic lifeline that roads represent will always be an important aspect of any American-style counterinsurgency fight, and Strykers have obvious value for domestic emergencies as well. Hence the fleet’s ongoing popularity.
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All contracts are issued by US Army Tank Automotive & Armament Command in Warren, MI, to the GM GDLS Defense Group, LLC joint venture in Sterling Heights, MI. Despite the announcement dates, unless it says otherwise, these are FY 2010 contracts, issued Sept 29/10.
Oct 13/10: A $73.5 million firm-fixed-price contract will “call-up an additional quantity of 45 Stryker vehicles.” Work is to be performed in London, ON, Canada (50%), and Anniston, AL (50%), with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W56HZV-07 -D-M112).
Oct 13/10: A $12 million firm-fixed-price contract to change 26 Stryker vehicle orders from the M1127 reconnaissance vehicle variant to the standard M1126 infantry carrier vehicle variant. Work is to be performed in London, ON, Canada (75%), and Sterling Heights, MI (25%), with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W56HZV-07-D-M112).
Oct 13/10: A $9.3 million firm-fixed-price contract will change 17 Stryker vehicle orders from the M1127 reconnaissance vehicle variant to the standard M1126 infantry carrier vehicle variant. Work is to be performed in London, ON, Canada (75%), and Sterling Heights, MI (25%), with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W56HZV-07-D-M112).
Oct 13/10: A $36.4 million cost-plus-fixed-fee/firm-fixed-price contractor service to add Stryker rear view sensor kits to support M1126 ICV vehicles in theater. Work is to be performed in Sterling Heights, MI (5%), and London, ON, Canada (95%), with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/10. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W56HZV-07 -D-M112).
This one is a FY 2011 order, as the contract was issued Oct 7/10.