BAE Receives $23 M for Armored HIMARS Chassis

(Houston, Texas, November 17, 2009) -- BAE Systems today announced the award of a $23.75 million contract from U.S. Army TACOM to manufacture 65 XM1140A1 Launcher Chassis, which include the Increased Crew Protection (ICP) cab for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The contract also includes 65 cab up-armor applique kits.

This award follows the company's announced Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command contract last month to manufacture 64 ICP cab upgrade kits for HIMARS.

"With our ICP cab technology and sharing many of the same components as our combat proven Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), these up-armored HIMARS chassis demonstrate BAE Systems' unique ability to support the entire FMTV-based fleet." said Dennis Morris, president of Global Tactical Systems, BAE Systems. "Our Texas employees are proud to continue their history of meeting the needs of our soldiers and Marines by providing this new level of protection and capability for the HIMARS system."

The launcher chassis vehicles and ICP cabs will be produced in Sealy, Texas and delivered to the Army and Marine Corps by December 2010. A unique design to BAE Systems, the HIMARS ICP cab is armored and has more than 40 enhancements from previous cab designs to make it the safest, most reliable chassis available. The ICP is designed to protect its crew from ballistic attack, mine blast, foreign object debris, and the fumes associated with rocket launch. Key enhancements include: improved crew survivability, hatch and door ergonomics, cab entry and exit, pressurization and water entry sealing. Composite materials were used to meet mission essential transportability requirements.

BAE Systems has produced the HIMARS platform since its introduction in 2003. HIMARS is a rocket and missile carrier that accommodates the entire family of Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) munitions, including all variants of the Guided MLRS rocket and Army Tactical Missile System missiles. To achieve maximum commonality, HIMARS shares the same chassis as BAE Systems' FMTVs. However, the HIMARS variant was not included in the recent FMTV competitive rebuy.

Source : BAE Systems PLC (LSE: BAES.L)