WARREN, Mich., 6 July 2005 The U.S. Army is asking engineers at the BAE Systems Land and Armaments operating group in Anniston, Ala., to upgrade armored mobile command post vehicles.
BAE Land and Armaments, formerly United Defense L.P., will overhaul Army 1068A2, M577A2, and M1064A2 vehicles, and upgrade them to the M1068A3 Standard Integrated Command Post System (SICPS) carrier configuration under terms of a $90 million contract awarded June 30 from the Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command in Warren, Mich.
The M1068A3 is modified for the automated command and control through the Army Tactical Command and Control System (ATCCS). About two thirds of the U.S. M577A2 fleet will be converted to either M1068A3 or the more basic M1068 configurations.
In addition to ATCCS, the M1068A3 has an improved 5-kilowatt auxiliary power unit, a power and data distribution system, and a 10-meter antenna mast.
Army After-action reports from the military operations during the Iraq War cite problems with finding spare parts for the aging fleet of M1068A2 vehicles. Army officials also criticize the old version of these vehicles for its inadequate speed and maneuverability to keep pace with newer equipment.
