STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., 27 Feb. 2006. General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics, has been awarded a $49-million contract for electric turret drives to retrofit U.S. Marine Corps Light Armored Vehicles (LAV). General Dynamics will provide 394 electric turret drives for existing LAVs which entered service in the 1980s and continue operational employment today.
The eight-wheeled amphibious LAVs provide the Marine Corps' Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion with a mobile, agile, and survivable system for conducting offensive and defensive operations in support of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Deliveries of the electric turret drives will occur between July 2007 and July 2008; the vehicles will be upgraded at Marine Corps installations in the United States.
This award is part of the January 31, $307 million contract that included the production of 130 next-generation LAV-A2s. To date, the total contract value is $177 million.
The LAV-A2 is an improved version equipped with an electric turret drive and enhanced suspension. It is also fitted for enhanced armor protection and features an automatic fire suppression system for crew protection. The four rear wheels drive the vehicle on a full-time basis, but eight-wheel drive for more challenging terrain is selectable.
