DATC Member BAE Systems Wins Award to Develop Next Generation M88A3 Recovery Vehicle

USA - English

• USA - English

TROY, Mich., Nov. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The U.S. Army awarded Defense Automotive Technologies Consortium (DATC) member BAE Systems a $317 million award to upgrade the M88 recovery vehicle to enable the battlefield recovery of an upgraded Abrams tank.

The M88A2 HERCULES provides towing, winching, and hoisting operations to support battlefield recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and other tracked combat vehicles. Due to recent and ongoing M1A2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) modernization efforts, the M88A2 recovery vehicles require upgrades and improvements to ensure it can accomplish single vehicle recovery for the heaviest tracked combat vehicle. Currently, that is the M1A2 MBT, with a weight of approximately 80 tons with all force protection kits applied. This loss of capability now requires the use of two M88A2 vehicles, which is undesirable and reduces combat effectiveness. The upgraded M88A2, referred to as the M88A3, is targeting single vehicle recovery capability of the MBT at 80 tons.

"We are thrilled to be part of this important battlefield solution for the U.S. Army," said David Porreca, Executive Director at DATC. "Having the OTA acquisition vehicle in place with the right member capabilities allowed DATC to service the Army efficiently through the acquisition cycle. Now BAE and its industry partners are ready to deliver this next-generation M88 solution."

DATC enables connection of advanced automotive suppliers to the U.S. Army's efforts to modernize its ground forces. DATC's rich technology capabilities helped the government link to BAE Systems. The full project has a 44-month timeline.

Upgrades to the M88A3 configuration include improvements to the existing powertrain, suspension and tracks, improving the vehicle's speed, capability and reliability.

DATC currently has nearly 200 members, with nearly 70% of these classified as non-traditional defense contractors. DATC members gain access to government projects and visibility of their capabilities to the Government and among other members. A majority of DATC members have limited or no prior government procurement experience. They greatly benefit from a facilitator such as DATC, which streamlines the process and requirements for engaging the government.

About DATC
The Defense Automotive Technologies Consortium (DATC) is a unique public-private partnership created in 2016 to connect advanced automotive technology suppliers to government technology modernization efforts. DATC can address work from any government agency, including state governments, related to the core technology areas defined in its scope. DATC was created through SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (ITC) to support the Defense Arsenal Automotive (DA2) OTA sponsored by U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center; 'automotive' is broadly understood as self-propelled vehicles for land, air, sea or space. DATC's eight core technology areas are: Automotive Cyber Security; Vehicle Safety; Vehicle Light Weighting; Autonomous Vehicles and Intelligent Systems; Connected Vehicles; Advanced Energy Storage; Propulsion; Active Suspension.

More information about DATC, including upcoming events and membership information, can be found at: http://datc.saeitc.org.

SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (SAE ITC®) is an affiliate of SAE International. The SAE ITC team specializes in establishing and managing consortia by providing proven processes, tools and resources. ITC enables public, private, academic and government organizations to connect and collaborate in neutral, pre-competitive forums thus empowering the setting and implementation of strategic business improvements in highly engineered industries globally. (http://www.sae-itc.com)

SOURCE DATC