While many of our readers spent time on Winter break, Defense Industry Daily continued to cover developments and contracts in the defense sector. It was a relatively busy time. Readers interested in catching up on what they missed can click on DID’s December 2008 archives, and begin reading backward from Dec 30/08.
BAE Ground Systems Division in York, PA received a $13.9 million firm-fixed-price contract for 8 M88A2 HERCULES vehicles. Work will be performed in York, PA and is expected to be complete by Dec. 30/10. One bid was solicited on Oct 13/08 by U.S. Army TACOM in Warren, MI (DAAE07-01-C-N030).
The M88A2 Hercules (Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System) armored recovery vehicles are well named. These vehicles are equipped with a 25-35 ton hoist/boom, and a winch with enough pulling power to haul a 70-ton M1 Abrams tank out of a ditch.
In March 2008, “Iraq’s military requested $1.39B in weapons, vehicles, and equipmentin a decisive shift to the M-16/M4 family of weapons for its soldiers. Previous DSCA purchase requests in October 2007 and September 2006 has also included the rifles, but by February 2008, it became clear that this was a full replacement program for the AK-derivative 7.62mm designs that had become so ubiquitous in that part of the world.
The latest official purchase request announced [PDF] by the US DSCA continues this trend, ans Iraq orders up to $148 million worth of small arms to equip its growing forces. Iraq’s request includes 80,000 M16A4 5.56mm Rifles, 25,000 of the more compact M4 5.56mm Carbines, and 2,550 M203 40mm Grenade Launchers that mount under the rifle’s barrel. The usual spare and repair parts, support equipment, and other forms of support are included, and some US government representatives will be required in theater. Exactly how many and for how long will be determined during contract negotiations, but the aim will be to make maximum use of existing US and Iraqi personnel. The principal contractors are Colt Manufacturing Company in Hartford, CT, who still has an exclusive license for the M4, and and FN Manufacturing Group Herstal, S.A. in Herstal, Belgium.
