ARVs to Army and Marines

BAE has been awarded a $185,983,972.00 firm fixed price contract for the production of 90 Army-configured M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles, four Marine Corps-configured M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles, and 7 sets of ASL Spares. The work will be performed in York, PA, (98 percent); and Aiken, SC., (2 percent) and is to be completed Sept. 30, 2011.

"The M88's primary role is to repair or replace damaged parts in fighting vehicles while under fire, as well as extricate vehicles that have become bogged down or entangled. The main winch on the M88A2 is capable of a 70 ton, single line recovery, and a 140 ton 2:1 recovery when used with the 140 ton pulley. The A-frame boom of the A2 can lift 35 tons when used in conjunction with the spade down. The spade can be used for light earth moving, and can be used to anchor the vehicle when using the main winch." The M88A2 has NBC defences, a smoke screen generator, 50 Cal machine gun, 432 mm ground clearance, 2.6m fording depth, 1.1m wall climb and 2.6 m trench crossing capabilities.

Sources: DoD, Wikipedia