Friday, 29 March 2024

U.S. Marine Corps Awards $71.1 million Contract to BAE Systems

The U.S Marine Corps Systems Command has just awarded the global defence and security giant, BAE Systems a contract modification totaling $44 million to provide field service support and instructor services for mine resistant, ambush protected vehicles. The company also received another mouth-watering contract of $27.1 million to equip U.S. Army MRAPs with combat-proven Check-6 thermal camera systems that enhance mission effectiveness and soldier safety.

"Our field service representatives and instructors are working side by side with the service members who use and depend on these vehicles," said Ann Hoholick, vice president and general manager of new vehicles and amphibious systems for BAE Systems. "We're there to share our vehicle expertise and to make their lives easier as they prepare to protect us."

Vigilance reliably learnt that more than 200 BAE Systems field service representatives and instructors are deployed to support service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to our source, living alongside the soldiers, Marines, airmen, and sailors gives them a unique perspective and ability to support their missions. Also, Vigilance Correspondents gathered that work under this contract modification is being performed now on military installations in the U.S. and will continue until December 2010.

It is said BAE Systems' Check-6 camera system gives MRAP occupants day, night, and all-weather visibility, enabling combat crews to "see" outside the vehicle while remaining within its protective armor. Each system consists of an infrared camera and a control box. Field service representatives will install the systems, perform engineering upgrades and troubleshooting, and train U.S. troops to drive and maintain the vehicles. The company will deliver almost 4,000 Check-6 systems as upgrades to existing MRAPs.

According to Lila Hillin, the company’s Check-6 programme manager before BAE Systems created the Check-6 system, soldiers couldn't see what was behind them without exiting the vehicle. Hillin said, "Check-6 protects crews by providing them with high-performing electronic situational awareness that's critical in today's combat environments."

The Check-6 camera is completely contained in the vehicle's taillight housing and can be readily adapted and installed on most current and future Army vehicles with no modifications to the vehicle structure. A reliable, low-cost rear-visibility solution, the system contains long-wave infrared sensors molded into the housings of the vehicles' tail lamps.

The system, currently fielded on the M1 Abrams, Stryker, and the MRAP all-terrain vehicle, fits into taillight housings common to more than 200,000 military vehicles. BAE Systems expects to deliver more than 15,000 Check-6 systems for a total order value of $147 million by the end of 2010.

BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).



Be a Beacon of Hope in the World

 



Scorpion News Corp

Nigeria Watch International

To expose official corruption in Nigeria, re-orientate the psyche of Nigerians and usher in the Nigerian renaissance

SIA Logo

Got news for Vigilance?

Have you got news/articles for us? We welcome news stories and articles from security experts, intelligence analysts, industry players, security correspondents in the main stream media and our numerous readers across the globe.

 

About Vigilance

Vigilance is the brain child of a group of veteran journalists and international scholars who have worked in the mainstream media and distinguished themselves nationally and internationally before veering into security practice.

Who's Online

We have 628 guests and no members online