Adds Capability for Evacuation of Damaged or Stranded Vehicles

BAE Systems has been awarded a $148.3 million (€134.5 million) contract by the US Army to upgrade 43 M88A1 heavy-lift vehicles, for added capability to evacuate damaged or stranded combat vehicles from the battlefield.

This continues the upgrade of the M88A1 to the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift System (HERCULES) configuration to increase power, manoeuvrability and survivability, to reach the Army’s acquisition objective of 933 M88A2s.

“The HERCULES is an invaluable vehicle for the Army’s recovery missions,” said Dennis Hancock, director of Recovery Programs at BAE Systems. “We […] will continue to work alongside the Army to provide upgraded solutions as their missions and requirements change.”

The more capable M88A2 tows, hoists and winches 70t tracked vehicles used by the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). With greater horsepower, it also features upgraded armour protection, including armoured track skirts and appliqué armour panels. The M88A2 can manoeuvre more quickly and get a 70t stranded vehicle – and its crew – to safety. The execution of this contract will increase the total procured quantity of the M88A2 capability to 914.