STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., 26 Jan. 2006. General Dynamics Land Systems has received a $24 million contract for spare parts that are unique to the two newest Stryker variants: the Stryker Mobile Gun System (MGS) and the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV).
This contract funds procurement of initial unique spares for the first-time fielding of the MGS and NBCRV variants. The contract has a total potential value of $50 million if all options are exercised.
Stryker is a family of eight-wheel-drive combat vehicles that can travel at speeds up to 62 mph on highways, with a range of 312 miles. It operates with the latest C4ISR equipment as well as detectors for nuclear, biological and chemical weapons.
The Stryker MGS and NBCRV variants entered low-rate initial production last month. General Dynamics will deliver 17 NBCRV and 72 MGS variants during low-rate initial production. The vehicles will be used for various tests and user evaluations through the fourth quarter of 2007. The Milestone C decision to begin full-rate production of both variants is slated for the fourth quarter of 2007 as well.
The Stryker MGS variant is a direct-fire infantry assault vehicle with a 105mm cannon mounted in a low-profile, fully stabilized, "shoot-on-the-move" turret. It is designed to provide firepower support for Stryker Brigade Combat Teams, including an ability to engage hardened positions with its bunker-busting and wall-breaching capabilities.
The NBCRV provides the U.S. Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Teams with the Department of Defense's newest nuclear, biological and chemical detection equipment coupled with the mobility and protection of the Stryker chassis.
In addition to the MGS and NBCRV, Stryker vehicle configurations include anti-tank guided missile and medical evacuation vehicles and carriers for mortars, engineer squads, command groups and fire- support teams. The MGS and NBCRV have a high percentage of commonality with the rest of the 310 Strykers that comprise a brigade combat team, easing the unit's training and logistics burden.
The Army will have six Stryker Brigade Combat Teams by 2008. Stryker is the Army's highest-priority production combat vehicle program and the centerpiece of the ongoing Army Transformation. Significantly lighter and more transportable than existing tanks and armored vehicles, Stryker fulfills an immediate requirement to equip a strategically deployable (C-17/C-5) and operationally deployable (C-130) brigade capable of rapid movement anywhere on the globe in a combat-ready configuration. Stryker Brigade Combat Teams have operated with "historically high" mission availability rates in Iraq since October 2003, demonstrating the value of a force that can move rapidly as a cohesive and networked combined-arms combat team.
Work will be performed in London, Ontario; Scranton, Pa.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; and Tallahassee, Fla., by existing General Dynamics employees, and is expected to be complete by July 31, 2007.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 72,200 people worldwide and had 2005 revenue of $21.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. For more information, see www.generaldynamics.com.
