BAE Systems & General Dynamics Land Systems Receive Contracts for IBCT

The US Army awarded contracts (Section 804 Middle Tier Acquisition [MTA] Rapid Prototyping contract) to BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) to each develop 12 prototype combat vehicles designed for light infantry brigades.

The two contracts fall under the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) programme, the intended result being medium-weight prototype vehicles that meet the needs of Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT). The prototypes will need to be armor-protected and, “highly agile,” also capable of delivering, “overwhelming and precise firepower,” in various situations, according to the US Army.

The BAE Systems contract, which is worth up to $376 million, requires thecompany to engineer, manufacture, and develop the prototypes. The US Army awarded $335 million to GDLS.

“Our offering integrates innovative technology that reduces the burden on the crew into a compact design deployable in areas that are hard to reach,” Deepak Bazaz, director of combat vehicles programs at BAE Systems, said. “We’re confident our design meets the requirements and the unique capabilities the IBCT needs.”

“We are excited about this opportunity to provide the US Army a large-caliber, highly mobile combat vehicle to support the infantry brigade combat teams,” Don Kotchman, Vice President and General Manager of General Dynamics Land Systems US Market, said. “We are especially proud of this new opportunity to serve in the IBCT formation.”

The contract has Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) options for a total of up to $968 million.