RESET of the US Army’s Vehicle Fleet, 2005-2010
firefight in Fallujah
(click to view full)
The RESET process takes used vehicles apart, inspects the parts, then replaces any defective parts and refurbishes the equipment to like-new condition. Sometimes upgrades are also performed. RESET and related processes like remanufacture/upgrades are being performed on M1 Abrams tanks, Bradley IFV/CFVs, HMMWV jeeps, and even helicopters. It usually takes place when the vehicles return from the front lines in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other locations, where sand damage and increased wear have taken their toll.
In truth, many of these vehicles were produced in the 1980s, and are reaching an age where “deep maintenance” is a wise and necessary measure. Note that this is not a complete list of RESET contracts.
RESET Programs and Procedures
(click to view full)
Vehicles that undergo the RESET process not only have their useful life restored by having all worn components replaced, they also receive the latest survivability enhancements and other improvements.
RESET is not a small endeavor. Market reports and official studies show $38 billion in related orders by September 2007, and indicate required figures of $13 billion per year. That rate will continue for at least 2 years after current heavy use in Iraq, Afghanistan et. al. terminates – and possibly longer, if underfunding allows the maintenance overhang to build.
AIM (Abrams Integrated Management) is a joint effort to refurbish M1 Abrams main battle tanks involving General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in partnership with the U.S. Army Project Manager for Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, and the Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, AL. Final assembly and acceptance is completed at GDLS’ Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, OH.
For Bradley fighting vehicles (M2 infantry, M3 cavalry, M6 Linebacker air-defense, M7 BFIST artillery targeting), BAE Land Systems & Armaments works in partnership with Red River Army Depot. Disassembly and component overhaul work is generally performed at the depot and at BAE Systems’ facility in Fayette County, PA. Work is assigned elsewhere, and final assembly, integration and test is conducted by BAE Systems facility in York, PA. The RESET Bradleys are then delivered directly to their units, along with any required training for new equipment.
See also “The US Army’s Bradley Remanufacture Program” for more details concerning all of the Bradley variants currently in service. Note that remanufacture contracts are not part of the Bradley RESET program.
(click to view full)
BAE also has RESET effort partnerships underway for the M113 family of tracked armored personnel carriers, and for its mine-resistant RG-33 family and Caiman wheeled MRAP vehicles.
There is a HMMWV RECAP program underway at Red River Army Depot, Letterkenny Army Depot, and Maine Military Authority, which will be in existence until 2011. The weight of the added armor is a particular stress on Hummers, as their suspensions et. al. were not designed to carry that level of weight on a constant basis. Time will tell where the cost/benefit ratio falls for the Hummer fleet, and how many vehicles end up discarded. A January 2008 DSCA release suggests that at least 8,000 our of about 19,000 in theater will remain in Iraq, with the Iraqis.
Textron Marine & Land has delivered almost 1,000 of its M1117 armored cars into theater for use by military police since Operation Iraqi Freedom began. The mine-resistant vehicle failed MRAP testing in 2007, but offers protection and firepower improvements over the Hummer and is still being ordered for MPs. They have begun a RESET pilot program with Red River Army Deport in Texarkana, TX, and will act as the prime contractor to provide material, technical data, and program management, while the Red River Army Depot will contribute labor and facilities to accomplish the reset. Data collected from the pilot effort was used to determine the size, scope and affordability of the total ASV reset operation. The firm is also working with DRS to reset its M1200 Armored Knight surveillance and targeting variant.
Oshkosh Truck has its own Recapitalization Program with US Army TACOM, which follows the RESET formula of “early model HEMTT vehicles are returned to Oshkosh and completely rebuilt and upgraded to the latest configuration.” Some vehicles even arrive as one variant and are sent back as a different one, however, if Army requirements demand it. The remanufactured HEMTTs all receive a new-vehicle warranty, and are considered to have 0 miles and 0 hours, all at under 75% of the cost of a new vehicle.
AH-64 Apache attack helicopters have a RESET program, which is designed to quickly return heavily used AH-64 Apaches and AH-64D Apache Longbows to original condition within 60 days after they return from operational deployments. Tasks include intense cleaning and repair of all components, material management and parts for critical shortage items, repairs for battle and crash damage, and complete testing of the aircraft after all maintenance is finished. Work for this program is performed at the Boeing Logistics Support Systems Williams Gateway site in Mesa, AZ.
RESET Contracts, Delivery Orders & Developments
(click to view full)
Some RESET efforts are built directly into ‘new’ procurement programs, such as the AH-64D Block III attack helicopter, the CH-47F Chinook heavy transport helicopter, or the FHTV-III heavy truck program. They will not be covered here.
Unless otherwise specified, contracts are awarded by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren, MI. Note that dates reflect DefenseLINK or news release announcement dates, in order to maximize verifiability.
Oct 25/10: BAE Systems announces a $91 million RESET contract for 552 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which will also “incorporate a variety of survivability enhancements.” The contract modification is in addition to another contract the company received for $145 million (see April 5/10 entry), along with earlier funding of $242.5 million.
Work will be performed by the company’s existing workforce at its facilities in Fayette and York, PA, as well as the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, TX. Vehicle deliveries began in August 2010, and are anticipated to end in October 2011.
Sept 09/10: GM GDLS Defense Group LLC in Sterling Heights, MI received a $40.5 milllion cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification for the RESET of 305 Stryker armored vehicles at Anniston Army Depot and repair materials for an additional 25 Stryker vehicles. Estimated completion date is July 28, 2011, with worked performed at both Sterling Heights, MI, and London, Canada (W56HZV-07-D-M112).
April 8/10: Oshkosh Defense announces 4 awards from the Us Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC), valued at more than $19 million, for additional work under its Theater-Provided Equipment Refurbishment (TPER) program. TPER is the result of an urgent requirement for in-theater repair and refurbishment of tactical wheeled vehicles operating in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and returns worn-down vehicles to “full mission operability.” Performing the work in-theater lowers costs, and gets the vehicles back into service faster.
These contracts cover the delivery of over 190 refurbished heavy and line-haul vehicles: more than 140 are FHTV trucks, including HEMTT heavy trucks, Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET) and the HET M1000 trailer, and Palletized Load System (PLS) vehicles. Oshkosh will deliver more than 50 refurbished line-haul vehicles. These contracts will extend Oshkosh Defense TPER work at its Kuwait facility to January 2011. Upon completion of these efforts, more than 1,850 vehicles and trailers will have been repaired and returned to U.S. forces through TPER.
April 5/10: BAE’s U.S. Combat Systems division in York, PA receives a $145.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for the RESET of 551 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
Work is to be performed in York, PA (42%); Aiken, SC (8%); Fayette, PA (12%); and Texarkana, TX (38%), with an estimated completion date of Aug 30/11. One bid was solicited with one bid received by the U.S. Army TACOM Contracting Center, CCTA-AHL-A in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
April 1/10: L-3 Communications Combat Propulsion Systems in Muskegon, MI receives a $16.2 million firm-price with incentive and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for 221 reset Bradley transmissions, plus 2 control tests and an incentive fee pool.
Work is to be performed in Muskegon, MI (54%), and Texarkana, TX (46%) with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/13. One bid was solicited with one bid received by the TACOM Contracting Center in Warren, MI (W56HZV-09-C-0098).
March 23/10: Textron Land & Marine Systems announces that its Phase II contract to reset 12 M1117 ASVs was completed in 120 days at the company’s Slidell, LA manufacturing facility. Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley:
“We made significant cost improvements with this Phase II reset contract, in spite of the fact that 10 of the 12 vehicles inducted into the program had suffered structural damage… We look forward to the opportunity to continue this reset program with additional ASV and Armored Knight vehicles in the near future…”
See also Oct 9/07, Nov 3/08 entries. Textron Marine & Land Systems is currently working with M1200 Armored Knight prime contractor DRS Sustainment Systems Inc. for the ongoing Armored Knight RESET program (see Feb 19/10 entry).
March 11/10: That sand is pernicious, especially for electronics. Lockheed Martin Electronics and Fire Control in Orlando, FL receives a $7.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for reset support of the targeting sights on AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. Work will include. include inspection, refurbishment, and “removal of sand, dust and foreign material intrusion” to the Apache’s older TADS/PVNS and newer “Arrowhead” surveillance and targeting assemblies.
Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/11. One bid was solicited with one bid received by U.S. Army Contracting Command’s Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center, CCAM-AP-B in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-10-C-0023).
Feb 19/10: DRS Sustainment Systems, Inc. in St. Louis, MO received a $20.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for reset of 42 of Textron’s M1200 armored Knight vehicles. The M1200 is used as a long range surveillance and artillery targeting vehicle, and is based on Textron’s M1117 Guardian armored car. DRS is responsible for integrating the M1200’s electronics, and the sandy environments of the Middle East can be pretty tough on those systems.
Work is to be performed in St.Louis, MO, with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28/11. One bid was solicted with 1 bid received by TACOM CCTA-AHL-C in Warren, MI (W56HZV-10-C-0173).
Feb 2/10: Small business qualifier PKL Services, Inc. in Poway, CA received a $17.8 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00421-09-C-0023), exercising “an option for additional selected organizational level maintenance (reset) for U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W, UH-1N, CH-53D/E and CH-46E helicopters.” That covers all major types in the current USMC fleet.
Work will be performed in Camp Pendleton, CA (30%); New River, NC (25%); Iraq/Afghanistan (22%); Miramar, CA (18%); and Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (5%). Work is expected to be complete in August 2010. All contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, MD manages this contract.
Jan 26/10:BAE Systems Inc. in Anniston, AL receives a $29.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for the Centralized and National Level RESET of a total of 417 M113 family vehicles. Work is to be performed in Anniston, AL by the existing workforce, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/10. One bid was solicited with one bid received by TACOM, CCTA-AHLA in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Note that BAE Systems release places the contract value at $32 million.
Dec 29/09: A $74.1 million firm-fixed-price contract to buy 101 kits of 43 long-lead items and additional parts for the reset of M2/M3 Bradley Operation Desert Storm-situational awareness (ODS SA) vehicles. The company will use the acquired items to restoring the Bradleys to pre-combat condition, and upgrade them with improved sensors.
Work is to be performed in York, PA, with an estimated completion date of July 31/10. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W56HZV-05-G-0005). See also BAE release.
Dec 29/09: A $74.1 million firm-fixed-price contract will buy 101 kits of 43 long-lead items and additional parts for the reset of M2/M3 Bradley ODS-SA vehicles. The company will use the acquired items in restoring the Bradleys to pre-combat condition, and upgrade them to the improved situational awareness capability. Work is to be performed in York, PA, with an estimated completion date of July 31/10. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W56HZV-05-G-0005). BAE release.
(click to view full)
Sept 30/09: BAE Systems in Sealy, TX receives a $52 million firm-fixed-price contract to RESET 470 FMTV medium trucks. Work will be performed in Sealy, TX (75%) and Texarkana, TX (25%) with an estimated completion date of Sept 24/10. BAE is currently the designated manufacturer for FMTV vehicles; 1 bid was solicited and 1 bid received (W56HZV-09-C-0649).
FMTV trucks form the backbone of the American Army’s logistics fleet. Their advanced design has given them reliability and mission capable ratings of over 90%, despite heavy use in theater.
July 22/09: General Dynamics Land Systems announces a TACOM contract to reset 330 Stryker M1126 Infantry Combat Vehicles returning from Iraq. The contract has a maximum potential value of $55.2 million.
The release adds that General Dynamics has delivered 2,852 new vehicles to the US Army, for 7 separate Stryker brigades. The vehicles have accumulated more than 6 million combined miles through 2 completed Operation Iraqi Freedom rotations since October 2003, and General Dynamics reports a combined fleet operational-readiness rate of 96%.
June 24/09: BAE Systems announces $124.8 million in U.S. Army contracts to reset, upgrade and maintain M113 vehicles in the Army’s Heavy Brigade Combat Teams, including $87.7 million to reset 697 M113 vehicles. Those resets will also add some upgrades to enhance survivability, mobility and communications. Other M113 awards included:
- $23.3 million for long-lead items needed for future M113 repairs
- $7.8 million for add on armor to 120 M113 vehicles.
- $6 million for support and maintenance on 1st Cavalry Division M113 vehicles at Fort Hood, TX
Wrk on these contracts will be performed by BAE’s existing workforce in Anniston, AL; Aiken, SC and Fort Hood, TX. The contracts are all managed by the US Army’s TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.
May 28/09: BAE Systems announces 3 more contracts for M777 ultra-lightweight 155mm howitzers, worth a total of $118 million.
The USA is buying 38 guns for the Marine Corps and Army. A $3 million contract will RESET 33 U.S. howitzers returning from operations in Afghanistan to like-new condition. And Canada is acquiring 25 more M777s, to add to the 12 it already has in service.
May 19/09: BAE Systems announces a $601 million contract to RESET 346 Bradley M
- A3 vehicles, 141 M*A2 ODS vehicles and 119 M*A2 ODS SA vehicles.
During final assembly in York, Bradley vehicles will also be equipped with upgrades including Improvised Explosive Device Armor, Bradley Urban Survivability Kits and other engineering changes designed to improve protection. Work on the contract will begin immediately, and BAE Systems will start to deliver completed vehicles to the military in the summer of 2009, with final deliveries expected to be completed by March 2010.
March 4/09: Bell Helicopter subsidiary Bell Aerospace Services Inc. (BellAero) announces a multi-year sub-contract worth up to $173 million from PKL Services Inc of Poway, CA. The PKL, BellAero, and JK Hill team will provide selected organizational-level RESET maintenance for the US Marines’ Lot 3 (AH-1W Cobra attack, UH-1N utility, and CH-53D/E heavy transport) and Lot 4 (very aged CH-46E transport) helicopters at multiple locations around the world.
Feb 24/09: A $32 million firm-fixed-price contract change order issued to RESET 129 of the US 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment’s Abrams SEPv2 tanks.
Work is to be performed at Lima, OH (75%), Tallahassee, FL (10%), Anniston, AL (9%), Scranton, PA (3%), and Sterling Heights, MI (3%), with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/10. One bid was solicited and one bid received. by US Army Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) Contracting Activity (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
Feb 10/09: The UK’s Parliamentary Defence Committee issues its “Defence Equipment 2009” report, and the issue of equipment wear arises again. An excerpt:
“44. We are concerned that the MoD(Ministry of Defence) appears to have made little progress with regard to its examination of the impact of current operations on equipment. While the MoD appears to have robust data on the cost of equipment procured through the Urgent Operational Requirement process, it does not have information on the cost of recuperating equipment returning from current operations nor on the impact of those costs on other areas of its budget. Such costs must be substantial given the length of time that UK Armed Forces have been involved in current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The MoD must identify accurately the costs to date of recuperating equipment and the likely future costs of recuperation. Without such information, there is a real risk that these costs will fall on the Defence Budget, which is already under pressure, rather than on the Reserve as they rightly should be.”
See also Dec 17/08 entry.
Feb 3/09: A $5.9 million firm fixed price contract change order to buy improved ammunition racks, as part of a RESET program for 90 M1A2 SEPv1 tanks that are being upgraded to SEPv2.
Work is to be performed at Lima, OH (75%), Tallahassee, FL (10%), Anniston, AL (9%), Scranton, PA (3%), and Sterling Heights, MI (3%), with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/10 (W56HZV-06-C-0006).
Dec 22/08: BAE Systems, received a $112.5 million cost-reimbursement, no-fee contract, in order to buy long-lead items such as bearings, brackets, armor and adapters for the Bradley RESET program. Work will be performed in York, PA and is expected to be complete by Jan 31/09. One bid was solicited on Aug 14/07 (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
BAE Systems’ release says that the parts will be used to upgrade more than 600 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, adding that this award is in addition to a previous long-lead item award of $375 million for parts in FY 2008 (see Dec 26/07 entry).
Dec 17/08: The UK’s Parliamentary Defence Committee announces that they will hold an inquiry into Readiness and recuperation, including the balance in priorities between manpower, equipment, training and sustainability, and the likely costs of and timescale for the recuperation of the Armed Forces and how such recuperation will be funded. Source.
Nov 20/08: A $63.7 million firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option to RESET 180 Abrams M1A2 SEPv1 to SEPv2 tanks. Work will be performed in Tallahassee, FL, Anniston, AL, Scranton, PA, and Sterling Heights, MI, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/10. One bid was solicited and one bid was received (W56HZV-06-G-0006). GDLS release.
Nov 3/08: Textron Systems announces a $4.6 million contract to reset 12 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV). This award is the second reset contract awarded to Textron Marine & Land Systems in as many years.
(click to view full)
Sept 30/08: BAE Systems Tactical Vehicle Systems in Sealy TX receives a $20.5 million firm-fixed-price contract, covering the FMTV medium trucks’ RESET Program. Most FMTV RESETS involve battle damage, but the fine grit of the desert also creates a very harsh environment for any vehicle.
Work will be performed in Texarkana, TX with an estimated completion date of Sept 26/09. One bid was solicited from the trucks’ manufacturer, and one bid was received (W56HZV-08-D-0138).
Sept 16/08: Oshkosh Corp. in Oshkosh, WI received a $18.3 million, 4-year firm fixed price contract for the reset of FHTV heavy trucks, including 41 M1074PLS, 16 M1075 PLS with 2nd Fuel tanks, and missing parts for 57 reset vehicles. PLS trucks have automated container/pallet loading arms, and Universal Power Interface Kit (UPIK) that can add modules for firefighting, construction, cranes, etc.
Note that RESET activities are different from RECAP, which undertakes significant vehicle upgrades as well. Work will be performed in Oshkosh, WI with an estimated completion date of Sept 23/09. One bid was solicited from the trucks’ manufacturer and one bid was received (W586HZV-04-D-0322).
Sept 2/08: General Dynamics Land Systems Division in Sterling Heights, IL received a $33.9 million firm/fixed price contract for 30 M1A1 Abrams AIM tanks, with a government option for an another 30. Work will be performed in Lima, OH; Scranton, PA; Tallahassee, FL and Anniston, AL with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/10. One bid was solicited and 1 bid was received (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
July 29/08: The US Army describes what’s involved in RESET programs for a very different item: the Air Defense and Airspace Management (ADAM Cell) AN/TSQ-232 Tactical Command System. Work takes place at Tobyhanna Army Depot, PA, which handles systems central to air and missile defense in the tactical theater.
ADAM is set of systems that currently live in a shelter on the back of a Hummer, including Forward Area Air Defense, the Air Defense System Integrator, the Air Missile Defense Work Stations and the Tactical Airspace Integration System. It is used to coordinate air defense for all aircraft and missile defense systems, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and the Patriot, Chaparral and the Air Defense/Anti-Tank surface-to-air missiles systems. The system also acts as a link for Army airspace command and control operations.
March 27/08: General Dynamics Land Systems Division in Sterling Heights, MI receives an $8.1 million cost-no-fee contract to RESET M1A1-AIM vehicles. The contract adds funds to the existing material contract for the reset of 204 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) main battle tanks, per the Jan 22/08 entry. The reset tanks will feature second-generation Forward-Looking Infrared, Far Target Locate, a tank-infantry phone, driver’s vision enhancement, and a tank commander’s thermal sight for the .50 caliber machine gun. To date, $29 million of long-lead material has been ordered under this contract.
Work will be performed primarily in Lima, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by April 30/08. One bid was solicited on Sept 25/07 (W56HVZ-06-G-0006). See also GDLS release, which also details over $150 million in System Technical Support work.
March 11/08: Britain begins to acknowledge a similar issue, but doesn’t fully understand the numbers and figures involved just yet. See “Britain Releases Defence Equipment 2008 Report.”
(click to view full)
Feb 14/08: As Oshkosh Defense delivers its 20,000 HEMTT heavy truck, the firm discusses its Recapitalization Program with US Army TACOM. Early model HEMTT vehicles are returned to Oshkosh and completely rebuilt and upgraded to the latest configuration. Some vehicles even arrive as one variant and are sent back as a different one, if Army requirements demand it. The remanufactured HEMTTs all receive a new-vehicle warranty and are considered to have 0 miles and 0 hours, all at under 75% of the cost of a new vehicle.
Feb 1/08: BAE Systems in Anniston, AL received “a large contract for the reset of 1,074 M113 Family of Vehicles (FOV).” Work will be performed in Anniston, AL and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/08. One bid was solicited on Sep 10/07, and 1 bid was received (W56HZV-05-G-0005). Note that US law requires all Pentagon contracts over $5 million to be announced with monetary figures that are accurate to the dollar.
The US Army subsequently informed DID that this contract is for $60.6 million; the exact dollar amount will be posted to DefenseLINK shortly. BAE’s Feb 14/08 release refers to this as a $91.4 million contract, which includes a previous order for long lead materials items.
M113 tracked armored personnel carriers fulfill a number of roles on the front lines. specialized command post and mortar variants are widely used, and are undergoing upgrades to M113A3 status. A specialized riot-control modification was a US Army Top 10 invention in 2006. Other M113s serve as troop transports with full all-terrain mobility.
Jan 22/08: General Dynamics Lands Systems Division in Sterling Heights, MI receives a $17.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for 204 RESET AIM tanks. Work will be performed in Lima, OH and is expected to be complete by April 1/08. One bid was solicited on Sept 25/07, and 1 bid was received (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
Jan 7/08: A Research & Markets report looks at the RESET phenomenon and opportunity. From the release:
“An estimated $13,000 million is required to reset and recapitalize worn out army equipment since the army uses the gear at four times the rate for which it was designed. Similarly, the Marine Corps is facing an investment crunch in equipment replacements as are air transport, fighter aircraft, and some classes of ships that are at or near the end of their life cycle. Moreover, the expansion of Army and Marine Corps brigades will necessitate greater budget allocation for equipment procurement. Arms companies that understand the operational needs of units and provide interoperable and reliable products will stand out in the Department of Defense (DoD) market.
“The short-term trend to get armored vehicles to the war zones and give troops some protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has evolved into a concerted plan to upgrade all rolling stock,” says the analyst of this research service. “The DoD plans to spend about $12,000.0 million for vehicles such as future combat systems, tactical trucks, Humvees, expeditionary fighting vehicles, Bradley sustainment, Strykers, and Abrams modifications.”
Dec 26/07: BAE Systems Land and Armaments in York PA received a $240 million cost-reimbursable contract for purchasing long lead materials to support the national level reset of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Work will be performed in York, PA and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/09. There was one bid solicited on Aug 14/07, and 1 bid was received (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
BAE’s Jan 2/08 release describes it as a $375 million contract to RESET 639 Bradley fighting vehicles: 451 Bradley A3 vehicles and 188 Bradley A2-Operation Desert Storm vehicles. It adds:
“This is the largest long-lead delivery order BAE Systems has received to date to reset Bradley Combat Systems vehicles. When combined with the $709.4 million contract awarded last month, for the reset of 1,042 Bradley Combat Systems, these newest orders bring the total value of the contracts BAE Systems has been awarded on Bradley work to $4.7 billion for Fiscal Years 2005 – 2008.”
Dec 26/07: Allison Transmission, Inc. in Indianapolis, IN received a $6.3 million firm-fixed price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for purchasing of transmission overhaul kits in support of the Abrams Tank program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, IN and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/08. There was 1 bid solicited on July 23/07, and 1 bid was received (DAAE07-01-C-N040).
Dec 26/07: General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, MI received a $26.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for parts for reset at Anniston Army Depot. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI and is expected to be complete by Sept 30/09. There was 1 bid solicited on Oct 18/07, and 1 bid was received (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
Dec 19/07: General Dynamics Land Systems announces a $257.8 million award for procurement of materials and labor required to RESET 180 Abrams tanks under the Abrams Improved SEP Reset (ISR) program. The program could total more than $320 million if all options are exercised.
As part of the Improved Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) Reset program, M1A2 SEP Version 1 tanks are modified to the SEP Version 2 configuration. SEPv2 dds improved displays, sights, and power systems – and a tank-infantry phone, which is a critical asset in urban battles. It is the most technologically advanced digital Abrams tank, and is also positioned for future technology insertions for compatibility with the Army’s Future Combat Systems.
Deliveries begin in September 2009, and are expected to be complete by September 2010. Work will be performed by existing employees in Anniston, AL; Tallahassee, FL; Lima, OH; Sterling Heights, MI; and Scranton, PA. There was 1 bid solicited on Feb 13/07, and 1 bid was received (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
Dec 11/07: BAE Systems Land and Armaments in York, PA receives a $709.4 million firm-fixed-price and cost-reimbursable contract for RESET of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. A Dec 6/07 BAE release adds that the contract covers 1,042 Bradley A3 and A2ODS armored fighting vehicles returning from Iraq, and additional A3 components. The contract also carries an option for an additional 58 vehicles.
This modification represents the largest national level reset award for Bradley Combat Systems to date. Vehicle deliveries under this contract are scheduled to begin in June 2008 and continue through June 2009 while resetting the components will begin in December 2007 and continue through December 2008. Work will be performed in York, PA. There was one bid solicited on July 25/07, and 1 bid was received by the US Army Tank, Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Dec 11/07: BAE Systems Land and Armaments in York, PA receives a $135.2 million cost-reimbursable contract for reset of Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Work will be performed in York, PA, and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/07. There was one bid solicited on Aug. 14, 2007, and one bid was received by the US Army Tank, Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Nov 19/07: General Dynamics Land Systems received an $88.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for reset of 240 M1A2 Abrams tanks. Work will be performed in Lima, OH and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2009 (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
As part of the reset program, M1A2 SEP Version One tanks are upgraded to the SEP Version 2 configuration, which includes improved displays, sights, power, and a tank-infantry phone. GDLS release.
Nov 16/07: BAE Systems in York, PA received a $14.8 million cost reimbursement contract for materials for Bradley M2A3 IFV and M3A3 CFV reset. Work will be performed in York, PA and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2008. There was 1 bid solicited on March 30, 2007, and 1 bids was received (W56HZV-05-0005).
Oct 9/07: Textron Marine & Land announces a $4 million contract by the United States Army Tank Automotive Armaments Command (TACOM) for a pilot program to reset 6 of its M1117 Armored Security Vehicles (ASV). In this public-private teaming, Textron Marine & Land will act as the prime contractor to provide material, technical data, and program management, while the Red River Army Depot will contribute labor and facilities to accomplish the reset. Work for this program will take place in Texarkana, TX and New Orleans, LA. United States Army ASV Program Manager Colonel Scott Kidd says that:
“Having Textron joined at the hip with depot mechanics is key to the ASV Reset initiative. Data collected from the pilot effort will allow us to efficiently and effectively determine the size, scope and affordability of the total ASV reset operation.”
Oct 3/07: General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, MI received a $16.5 million delivery order as part of a $24 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide parts for the reset of battle-damaged SEPv1 Tanks to a SEPv2 configuration. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2009. This was a sole source contract initiated on May 14, 2007 (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
Oct 1/07: General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, MI received a delivery order amount of $20.1 million as part of a $510.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for reset of Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement Packages to the M1A2 Tanks. As part of the Improved Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) reset program, M1A2 SEP Version 1 tanks are modified to the SEP Version 2 configuration, which includes improved displays, sights, power, and a tank-infantry phone. It is the most technologically advanced digital Abrams tank and is positioned for future technology insertions for compatibility with the Army’s Future Combat Systems.
Work will be performed in Lima, OH (75%), Tallahassee, FL (10%), Anniston, AL (9%), Scranton, PA (3%), and Sterling Heights, MI (3%), and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2009. This was a sole source contract initiated on Oct. 20, 2006 (W56HZV-06-G-0006). GD release.
(click to view full)
Sept 27/07: GM GDLS Defense Group L.L.C. in Sterling Heights, MI received a delivery order amount of $8.2 million as part of a $416.3 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the maintenance, repairs, and minor upgrades of desert-damaged Stryker Vehicles. This order covers long-lead material to support reset efforts for M1128 Stryker Mobile Gun System and M1135 Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle variants.
Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI (60%), and London, Ontario, Canada (40%), and is expected to be complete by Sept. 26, 2008 (W56HZV-07-D-M112). GD release.
Sept 27/07: BAE Systems Land and Armaments in Anniston, AL received the full delivery order amount of $30.7 million as part of cost-reimbursable-no-fee contract for material for reset of M113 family vehicles. The 65 M113A3 tracked vehicles will be overhauled to a zero miles, zero hours condition, will have the latest engineering changes to include Armor protection and Nuclear Biological and Chemical equipment and will be delivered by December 2007. Work will be performed in Anniston, AL and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 15, 2007 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005). BAE release.
M113 tracked armored personnel carriers and command post variants have been used in Iraq by US forces, converted into an award-winning EM113A2 variant for riot control, deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq by NATO countries, and given to the Afghan Army.
September 2007: A Congressional Budget Office report says the Army has received $38 billion to date to replace, repair, and recondition equipment that has been lost, damaged, or used extensively in conducting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. RESET and replacement requests have increased steadily from 2005 – 2007, and the US Army has also said that it will continue to need approximately $13 billion annually for that purpose for as long as operations continue at their current pace – and for at least 2 years after hostilities cease.
The CBO Report [PDF format, 1.2 MB] examines Army assumptions regarding its RESET programs, and looks at current funding approaches. However: “In keeping with CBO’s mandate to provide objective, impartial analysis, the paper makes no recommendations.”
Aug 23/07: General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, MI received a delivery order amount of $19.6 million as part of a $37.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for the reset and repair of desert damaged M1A1 Abrams vehicles. Work will be performed in Lima, OH (70%), Scranton, PA (14%), Anniston, AL (10%), and Tallahassee, FL (6%), and is expected to be complete by Sept 25/07. This was a sole source contract initiated on May 29, 2007 (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
April 18/07: General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, MI received the full delivery order amount of $9.1 million as part of a cost contract for long-lead material for RESET for battle damaged M1A2 System Enhancement Package tanks. Work will be performed in Anniston, AL (40%), Lima, OH (20%), Sterling Heights, MI (10%), and Scranton, PA (30%), and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 10, 2007 (W56HZV-06-G-0006). GDLS release.
June 27/07: BAE Systems and CPU Technology, Inc. (CPU Tech) announced that a collaborative effort has been funded by they have been funded by the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to begin the development of a SystemLab-based virtual model of BAE Systems’ Bradley vehicles. The virtual model will run on CPU Tech’s new SystemLab Platform Simulator and execute actual Bradley software at real time speeds. When completed, the virtual model will enable engineering teams networked together to have complete visibility inside the electronics of the entire vehicle during actual real time software execution. Andy Hove, vice president, Bradley Combat Systems for BAE Systems, said that:
“Completion of this new virtual vehicle is a technology breakthrough that will for the first time enable the Army and BAE Systems to systematically control and manage obsolescence mitigation, capability enhancements, technology refresh and life-cycle support of Bradley systems.”
March 2/07: The GM GDLS Defense Group LLC joint venture in Sterling Heights MI received a $42.7 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for support of the Stryker reset for the 3/2 Stryker Brigade at Fort Lewis, WA. In the case of Stryker resets, Through the reset program, vehicles are serviced, repaired and modified to a pre-combat condition, and apply modifications to bring them to the latest configuration, preparing them for the unit’s next deployment. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI (50%), and London, Ontario, Canada (50%), and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2008 (DAAE07-02-C-B001).
March 2/07: The GM GDLS Defense Group LLC joint venture in Sterling Heights MI received a $5.3 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for support of the Stryker reset in Balad, Iraq. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI (95%), and London, Ontario, Canada (5%), and is expected to be complete by Feb. 26, 2008 (DAAE07-02-C-B001). See GDLS release.
Jan 23/07: An AFIS report covered testimony from Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James T. Conway testified before the US House Armed Services Committee.
“The Army has obligated $10 billion of $17 billion of funding appropriated by Congress for this fiscal year for replacement and repair of equipment used in Afghanistan and Iraq, Schoomaker told the lawmakers… “The immediate challenge lies with the readiness of the non-deployed forces,” Schoomaker said, noting the Army needs Congress’s support to address issues critical to maintaining the Army’s overall readiness to respond decisively to potential contingencies.”
Note that Schoomaker is describing programs from reset, to remanufacture, to new-build replacements or substitutes for destroyed equipment. This testimony is nonetheless helpful, in order to get a sense of the reset efforts’ importance and where they fit in.
Jan 23/07: BAE Systems Land and Armaments in York, PA received the full delivery order amount of $234.2 million as part of a cost-reimbursable contract for long lead materials to support the reset of FY 2008 Bradley Vehicles. Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), San Jose, CA (8%), Aiken, SC (5%), and Fayette, PA (4%), and is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2008. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 20, 2006 (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
BAE Systems’ January 22, 2007 release says these long-lead materials for an anticipated award to reset 303 Bradley A3 vehicles and 173 Bradley A2-ODS vehicles under FY 2008 funding. Work on the vehicles would begin in July 2008 and continue through May 2009.
With these 2 reset contracts and the November 2006 remanufacture contract, the total value of Bradley work to BAE Systems hits $3.5 billion for FY 2005-2007. Approximately 620 Bradley A3 vehicles have been delivered to date against the US Army’s requirement for more than 2,000 total Bradley A3s.
Jan 19/07: BAE Systems Land and Armaments in York, PA received a delivery order amount of $129.7 million as part of a $177.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for RESET of 262 M2A2-ODS and M3A2-ODS (Operation Desert Storm) Bradley Vehicles. The other $48 million of this contract is previously awarded long-lead funding – see Nov 27/06 entry. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2007 and continue through July 2008.
Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), San Jose, CA (8%), Aiken, SC (5%), and Fayette, PA (4%), and is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2008. This was a sole source contract initiated on Oct. 17, 2006 (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Dec 4/06: General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, MI received a delivery order amount of $305 million as part of a $351 million cost contract for RESET of Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement Package (SEP)v1 to M1A2 SEPv2 tanks, and long lead material for the additional RESET of M1A2 SEPv1 and M1A2 SEPv2 tanks. Work will be performed in Lima, OH (75%), Tallahassee, FL (10%), Anniston, AL (9%), Scranton, PA (3%), and Sterling Heights, MI (3%), and is expected to be complete on Sept. 30, 2009. This was a sole source contract initiated on Oct. 20, 2006 (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
A GDLS representative confirms that the contact covers 312 tanks returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom. A subsequent GDLS release explains that the program was initiated with a $46 million long-lead material award in July 2006 for the first 72 tanks (46 + 305 = 351); and adds that this $305 million order is split in two. The first part offers $27 million of funding for the reset and upgrade of 72 M1A2 SEP Abrams tanks, planned for induction at Anniston Army Depot in February 2007, with deliveries from the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, OH beginning in October 2007. The second part offers $278 million for long-lead material needed to reset and upgrade an additional 240 M1A2 SEP Abrams tanks, slated for delivery from August 2008 through September 2009.
Nov 29/06: General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, MI received the full a delivery order amount of $339.1 million as part of a firm-fixed-price contract for M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) vehicles. Work will be performed in Lima, OH (77%), Scranton, PA (20%), and Muskegon, MI (3%), and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2010. This was a sole source contract initiated on Aug. 16, 2006 (W56HZV-06-G-0006).
A subsequent GDLS release notes that this contract covers the RESET of 350 M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) tanks, and includes an option for 50 additional tanks that would increase the number of tanks to 400 and the value to $401 million if exercised. The tanks will also be upgraded with a Situational Awareness package that will add a number of technologies employed in more advanced versions. See previous DID coverage for an in-depth look at the M1A1-SA.
Nov 27/06: JLG Industries Inc. in McConnellsburg, PA received a delivery order amount of $23.7 million as part of a $27.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for RESET Services for the ATLAS Forklifts and 6000M Forklift Vehicles. Work will be performed in McConnellsburg, PA and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2008. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 12, 2004 (W56HZV-04-D-0228). Beats liquidating them, I guess…
Nov 27/06: General Dynamics, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Nov. 17, 2006, a $40 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Systems Technical Support for the M1 Abrams Tank Program. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2006. This was a sole source contract initiated on Nov. 23, 2001 (DAAE07-01-C-N075). As a previous GDLS release has noted:
“STS funds engineering studies on Abrams tanks with the purpose of identifying improvements and conducting the change-out of obsolete parts, while keeping Abrams tanks current to their base configurations. The STS program’s objective is to maintain Abrams tanks at high operational readiness rates. This contract enables the application of various kits to M1A1 tanks around the fleet. Additionally, it funds reset work…”
Nov 27/06: General Motors subsidiary Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, IN received a $33.9 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Zero-Timed X1100-3B Transmission Overhaul and Partial Overhaul Kits for the Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) Program, i.e. the M1A1 Abrams tank’s RESET program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, IN and is expected to be complete by Aug. 31, 2009. This was a sole source contract initiated on Aug. 18, 2006 (DAAE07-01-C-N040).
Nov 27/06: Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, IN received an $11 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Zero-Timed X1100-3B Transmissions in Support of the System Enhancement Package RESET Program. This would be the RESET program for M1A2 SEP tanks, a more advanced version. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, IN and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Aug. 22, 2006 (DAAE07-01-C-N040).
Nov 27/06: Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, IN received a $32.6 million modification to a firm-fixed-price contract for Zero-Timed X1100-3B Transmissions in Support of the Improved System Enhancement Package RESET Program. Work will be performed in Indianapolis, IN and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2008. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 29, 2006 (DAAE07-01-C-N040). Improved SEP program?
Nov 27/06: BAE Systems in York, PA received a delivery order amount of $39.6 million as part of a $48 million cost-reimbursable contract for Long Lead Materials to Support the FY 2007 RESET of M2/M3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), Fayette, PA (4%), San Jose, CA (8%), and Aiken, SC (5%), and is expected to be complete by April 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 20, 2006 (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Nov 6/06: General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, MI received delivery order amount of $37.6 million as part of a $38.7 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price level-of-effort, and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for labor and materials to reset M1A1s. A subsequent GDLS press release notes that the contract covers 89 M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks.
Work will be performed in Aniston, AL (40%), Lima, OH (20%), Sterling Heights, MI (10%), and Scranton, PA (30%), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on March 24, 2006 (DAAE07-01-G-N001).
Nov 1/06: GM GDLS Defense Group L.L.C. in Sterling Heights, MI received a $16.8 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for “maintenance and repair of desert damaged vehicles.” Given the firm, the vehicles must be Strykers. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI (90%), and London, Ontario, Canada (10%), and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 28, 2006 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (DAAE07-02-C-B001).
Oct 2/06: BAE Systems Land and Armaments, York, PA received the full delivery order amount of $8.4 million as part of a “cost-reimbursable contract for long lead materials to support the reset and repair of desert-damaged vehicles.” BAE manufactures the M2/M3 Bradley IFV, as well as the M113 APC, AAV7 Amtracs amphibious APC, and M270 MLRS rocket launcher; all are serving in combat theaters, though the Bradleys are the most common and receive by far the most reset work. Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), Aiken, SC (5%), San Jose, CA (8%), and Fayette, PA (4%), and is expected to be completed by April 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on Sept. 20, 2006 by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, MI (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Sept 29/06: A $27.6 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for “procurement of repair parts in support of the reset effort which involves maintenance and repair of desert damaged vehicles.” We haven’t heard this sort of activity referred to as RESET work before, though it is an aspect of Stryker vehicle fleet maintenance. Work will be performed in Sterling Heights, MI (20%), and London, Ontario, Canada (80%), and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 28, 2006 by The Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Warren, MI (DAAE07-02-C-B001).
Aug 22/06: General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, MI received the full delivery order amount of $14 million in a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Long Lead Material to RESET M1A2 Abrams Tanks. Work will be performed in Aniston, AL (40%), Scranton, PA (30%), Lima, OH (20%), and Sterling Heights, MI (10%), and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2007 (W65HZV-06-G-0006).
Aug 10/06: Aug 10/06: General Dynamics Land Systems in Warren, MI receives a pair of delivery order amounts for M1A1 vehicle material sets, used in the AIM rebuilt process. They include one order for $63.4 million as part of an $81 million firm-fixed-price contract, and another for $44.4 million as part of a $125.5 million firm-fixed-price supplemental contract [TL. = $107.8 million]. Work will be performed in Lima, OH (77%), Scranton, PA (20%), and Muskegon, MI (3%), and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2008. These were sole source contracts initiated on December 29, 2005 (DAAE07-01-G-N001). These projects will also draw upon a previous $17.7 million award for long-lead materials.
A subsequent GDLS release notes that this funding will put 155 M1A1 Abrams tanks through the AIM process, which will include the first batch of “situational awareness” enhancement sets. The new tanks, which we’ll refer to as “M1A1-SA” in future, will add Blue Force Tracker displays that show friendly forces and identified enemies, improved sighting for their weapons, driver vision enhancements, power enhancements, and the much-requested troops-tank phone mounted on the outside.
Aug 10/06: BAE Systems Land & Armaments in York, PA receives the full delivery order amount of $19.5 million as part of a cost-reimbursable contract for long lead materials “to support the RESET of battle damaged Bradley A3 vehicles.” Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), Aiken, SC (5%), San Jose, CA (8%), and Fayette, PA (4%), and is expected to be complete by February 29, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on June 5, 2006 (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Aug 8/06: BAE announces a $27.2 million contract modification from the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command to reset 43 Bradley A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS) vehicles returning from Iraq. They will also add Blue Force Tracking mounting provisions and Fleet Standard modifications. Work on the new contract will begin immediately, with deliveries scheduled to begin in July 2007.
As of this point, BAE reports that they have received 545 FY 2006 orders for reset, remanufactured and upgraded Bradley vehicles, for a total of $501 million; adding that the Army contracted with BAE Systems to remanufacture and upgrade 450 fully digitized Bradley A3, 50 Bradley A2 Operation Desert Storm variant, and 33 Bradley M7 BFIST artillery targeting vehicles under FY 2005 funding. Approximately 595 Bradley A3 vehicles have been delivered/upgraded to date, against the US Army’s planned requirement for 2,545 total Bradley A3s.
Aug 1/06: General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, MI receives a $45.7 million cost contract for long lead material to reset 72 M1A2 Abrams tanks. Work will be performed in Anniston, AL (40%), Scranton, PA (30%), and Sterling Heights, MI (10%) – with final assembly and acceptance completed as usual at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, OH (20%). Work is expected to be complete by June 30, 2007. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 21, 2006 (W56HZV-06-G-0006). See also GDLS press release.
July 28/06: The Saudis request a reset of their 315 M1A2 tanks, plus a reset of 58 M1A1 tanks they’re buying, followed by upgrades of all tanks to M1A2S (Saudi) configuration in a 3-phase program. The cost? $2.9 billion.
March 10/06: BAE Systems Land & Armaments in York, PA has received a delivery order amount of $187.3 million as part of a $227.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for repair of desert damaged vehicles. A subsequent release by BAE offers details: BAE Systems, in partnership with Red River Army Depot (RRAD), will return a total of 361 Bradley Combat Systems (262 M2 Bradley IFVs, 55 M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicles and 44 M7 Bradley BFIST artillery spotters) to a combat ready status. DID has covered BAE’s partnership with RRAD and Bradley RESET program details before. Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), Aiken, SC (5%), San Jose, CA (8%), and Fayette, PA (4%), and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2006. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on Oct. 18, 2005. The U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Mich issued this contract (W56HZV-05-G-0005).
Nov 4/05: General Dynamics Land Systems in Sterling Heights, MI received a $69.1 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for “reset” of 265 M1126 Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was a sole source contract initiated on June 30, 2005 (DAAE07-02-C-B001).
Nov 4/05: HMMWV RECAP program to completely rebuild HMMWVs for the US Army. That program currently in place at Red River Army Depot, Letterkenny Army Depot and Maine Military Authority, and will be in existence until 2011.
Sept 21/05: Reset of 15 M7 Bradley BFIST vehicles by BAE Systems Land and Armaments LP in York, PA as an $11 million modification to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. Work will be performed in York, PA (83%), Aiken, SC (5%), San Jose, CA (8%), and Fayette, PA (4%), and is expected to be complete by July 30, 2006. This was a sole source contract initiated on July 6, 2005 (DAAE07-01-C-M016).
Aug 3/05: In conjunction with the company’s Public Private Partnership with the Army’s Red River Army Depot (RRAD), BAE Systems has been awarded a contract modification worth $70.1 million to return 101 Bradleys to combat ready status for the 1st Cavalry Division. Disassembly and component overhaul work will be performed at RRAD and BAE Systems in Fayette County, PA. Final assembly and test will be conducted at the company’s York, PA facility. Work on this effort begins immediately, and vehicles are expected to be delivered through March 2006.
Aug 3/05: BAE Systems in York, PA received a $77.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the reset of 125 Bradley Vehicles, plus associated fleet standard modifications and Blue Force Tracking mounting provisions that will bring them up to M2A2 ODS standard (DAAE07-01-C-M016). These machines will not have the full digital electronic infrastructure and future upgradeability of the M2A3 and M3A3 Bradley vehicles, but they are the most advanced version of the M2 Bradley IFV without those built-in capabilities and are fully integrated with the modern force. Many of these vehicles were formerly M6 Bradley Linebacker air defense variants, which have had their unique systems removed and are now in the second stage of conversion.
July 20/05: The U.S. Army awarded Boeing a $41.5 million contract for the refurbishment of 70 AH-64 Apache attack helicopters under the Reset Program. This is a follow-on to a contract awarded in 2004 for the reset of 15 Apaches. The Apache Reset Program is designed to quickly return heavily used AH-64 Apaches and AH-64D Apache Longbows to original condition within 60 days, after they return from operational deployments in desert and other extremely harsh environmental conditions. Tasks include intense cleaning and repair of all components, material management and parts for critical shortage items, repairs for battle and crash damage, and complete testing of the aircraft after all maintenance is finished. Work for this program is performed at the Boeing Logistics Support Systems Williams Gateway site in Mesa, AZ. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 14, 2005 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-05-C-0199). See also Boeing’s Release
June 27/05: Approximately $1.097 billion in reset-related awards and delivery orders re: Bradley M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles, and M7 BFIST Fire Support Vehicles. The BFIST carries special equipment that helps it designate targets and communicate with artillery to put rounds on target with the first shot, all from a mobile, protected position.
Vehicle Fleets and Maintenance Overhangs
(click to view full)
Forecast International’s outlook for the 2006-2016 main battle tank market underlines that the high cost of new top-line tanks is creating a thriving modernization market, intended to extend the life of these assets as long as possible. The report notes that the value of the US M1 fleet’s maintenance, AIM and modernization programs were equivalent to 32.6% of the total value of all new production main battle tanks in 2004; in 2005, that figure was 21.3%. The Israeli experience re: the value of tanks in urban warfare, followed by the USA and Britain’s forced realization that their top-end tanks had no viable substitute during Operation Iraqi Freedom, means that programs of this type can be expected to remain a strong procurement trend for some time to come.
Meanwhile, Lawrence Farrell of the National Defense Industry Association had this to say:
“The operations and maintenance account, meanwhile, also will be tough to cut as long as we sustain our current deployments. The stress on equipment will require billions of maintenance and repair dollars for years to come.”
All against a potential backdrop of overall spending cuts.
While this is an unpalatable reality, the procurement holiday of the 1990s and the inevitable demands of wartime usage has left the USA in a situation where it must simply do the best it can. Efforts like the M1 AIM RESET program are simply an adaptation – and a smart adaptation, at that – to this reality. A future vehicle fleet designed around total lifecycle cost would be an even smarter one, of course; yet the British are discovering that this effort comes with new challenges of its own.
Additional Readings
- Armor Site – M1 Abrams. This is best backgrounder on the web, anywhere.
- GlobalSecurity.org – M2 and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Systems (BFVS)
- GlobalSecurity.org – Stryker Armored Vehicle. Covers the entire Stryker family of vehicles, based on the LAV III. See also “M1126 Strykers in Combat: Experiences & Lessons.”
- Army Technology – AH-64A/D Apache Attack Helicopter, USA
- DID (Dec 7/08) – Dutch Grapple with Equipment RESET/RECAP Needs
- UK House of Commons Defence Committee (March 11/08) – Tenth Report of Session 2007-08, Defence Equipment 2008, HC 295 [PDF, 116 pgs]. See also the accompanying DID report and links.
- Research & Markets (Jan 7/08) – Wear and tear compel equipment replenishment for Army, Marine Corps
- Congressional Budget Office (September 2007) – Replacing and Repairing Equipment Used in Iraq and Afghanistan: The Army’s Reset Program [PDF]
- Washington Times (July 31/06) – Army Diverts Funds to War “I remain concerned about the serious demands we face,” Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff, said… Gen. Schoomaker told Congress last month that the war is putting a tremendous stress on equipment. The M1A-1 battle tank, planned at an annual usage rate of 800 miles a year, goes in excess of 4,000 miles in Iraq. Trucks run at up to six times their programmed mileage…”
- DID (Jan 17/06) – NDIA on Preparing for the Coming US Defense Budget Crunch
- DID (May 2/05) – M1A1 Tank refits and Rebuilds Continue
- Columbus Federal Voice (Nov 19/03): Land team comes to new terms with war’s huge increase of demands.
