Swing Yer Partner Round: BAE’s Improved Turret Drive

M1151 w. Frag Kit 7(click to view full) BAE Systems Survivability Systems, Inc. in Fairfield, OH received a $52.7 million firm-fixed-priced requirements contract for 6,000 improved turret drive system retrofit kits, and field service representative support. Note the picture above, of a Humvee with the latest “Frag 7” armor kit. As the protection around the topside machine gunner grows more comprehensive on Humvees and on related vehicles, the whole assembly gets heavier. That makes the turret and gun harder to move – an especial problem in urban areas, or when trying to move the turret against gravity when the vehicle is on an incline. Adding electrical assist to the turret drive solves this problem. Work will be performed in Fairfield, OH, the kits are expected to be delivered by Dec 26/10, and final fit-outs will be done in Afghanistan. This contract is a sole-source procurement. USAF-related funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/10, but US Navy and Army funds will not. The Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, VA manages this contract (M67854-10-C-5063).