IMG contracts DRS

DRS Technologies, Inc. (DRS) has announced today it has received two contract awards valued at $34 million to manufacture 2,500 armored roof assemblies for the International Military and Government (IMG) MaxxPro 4 x 4 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle (International Military and Government LLC (IMG) is a unit of Navistar ).

The first award, granted in early February for 1,000 assemblies, was valued at $14 million. The second contract, worth $20 million, recently was awarded for an additional 1,500 roof assemblies.

Production is being performed by the company's DRS Sustainment Systems unit's manufacturing facility in West Plains, Missouri. Production of the first 1,000 units should be complete by mid-April, while the remaining 1,500 roof assemblies will be delivered by July 31. Deliveries of both orders will be made to IMG's vehicle production facility in West Point, Mississippi.

Source: DRS
Photo: Navistar

Marines to get more MRAPs from Interational

Under a previously awarded contract, International Military and Government LLC (a division of International/Navistar) of Warrenville, IL is to deliver 743 vehicles to the Marines. These are Category 1 MRAPs.

The total value of the contract is $410,730,320 and delivery is due by November 2008.

Update: On March 18th DoD published a correction to their contract notification. The actual amout is $405,963,830 vs $410,730,320.

Source: DoD
Photo: Navistar

MRAPs, MRAPS everywhere

In defence tech and procurement circles 2007 will probably be remembered as the Year of the MRAP, mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle.

High casualties in Iraq related to IEDs and landmines and the 1151 (Humvee) demanded a response and industry was quick to answer. If you subscribed to our newsletter you've heard a lot about the many different variants and the enthusiasm of American lawmakers for the program - up to $24.5 billion by FY 09. MRAPs fall into two main categories.

Category 1 vehicles are often referred to a MRUVs (Mine Resistant Utility Vehicle). These are the lighter variant designed for urban operations. Typically they are 4x4s and can hold 6 soldiers. Category 1 examples include: Armor Holdings Caiman; BAE RG-31 Nyala; International MaxxPro; and the Force Protection Cougar.

Category 2 MRAPS are 6x6 platforms that hold 10 men. They have become popular as EOD team transport and include: the BAE RG-33 Nyala; Rafael Golan;and the Force Protection Cougar HE.


DoD photo by: LCPL CHARLES HOWARD