M88A1 vehicles to be upgraded by BAE Systems
NewsOctober 10, 2019
WASHINGTON. BAE Systems announced a $148.3 million contract with the U.S. Army to upgrade M88A1 heavy-lift vehicles. A total of 43 vehicles will be rebuilt with increased power, maneuverability, and survivability features to increase their configuration to M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift System, or HERCULES, status.
The Army intends to acquire 933 such vehicles — with the upgraded M88A1s, it will have 914. The M88A2's is built to recover tanks mired to different depths, remove and install tank turrets and power packs, and upright overturned heavy combat vehicles.
According to company officials, the main winch on the M88A2 can move 70 tons, compared to the M88A1's 56 tons, allowing it to recover a 70-ton M1A2 Abrams tank. The upgraded vehicle can also be anchored for earth-moving purposes to prepare a recovery area and can refuel Abrams tanks from its own fuel tanks.
Work on the program will be conducted at four BAE facilities in the United States, with deliveries scheduled to start in February 2021.
