The U.S. based Army Contracting Command (ACC), headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal in Michigan, has awarded BAE Systems an order amounting to 198.4 million dollars to continue the production of Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).
Specifically, an additional 240 multi-role armored vehicles will be set up; the ACC interestingly assigned the order to avoid a production interruption.
The work from this order will be undertaken by BAE Systems in York, Pennsylvania, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2028. The contract in place for the production of the AMPV, with the new order now amounts to a whopping 2.47 billion dollars.
Replacing the M113 Family Vehicles
The AMPV Family of Vehicles (FoV) is replacing the old and obsolete M113s that have been in service with the US Army since the 1960s in various versions.
The vehicles from the new family are intended to modernize the Armed Force by providing critical survival, mobility, on-board power, and interoperability upgrades to the Armored Brigade Combat Team.
The FoV is currently being built in five variants, including the General Purpose Vehicles (XM1283), Mortar Carrier (XM1287), Medical Evacuation (XM1284), Medical Treatment (XM1285), and Mission Command and Control (XM1286).
Features of the AMPV
The general-use XM1283 configuration or General Purpose has a length of 6.55 meters, width 3.7 meters, height 3.1 meters, with the hull being 0.4 meters off the ground. The gross weight of the vehicle is about 36 tons.
The BAE AMPV is powered by a Cummins VTA-903T diesel engine, offering a maximum power of 600 HP. Fuel tanks are located in the rear part of the vehicle.
The vehicle is capable of achieving a maximum speed of over 60 km/h while the maximum range is around 400 km. The on-board suspension system ensures the vehicle’s smooth mobility while crossing rough terrains.
Protection and Armament
The AMPV is equipped with a spaced laminated armor that provides full protection from 14.5-30 mm AP bullets and side armor with M19 ARAT 1 ERA tiles, along with a cage to detonate the explosive heads of RPGs.
In the GP version, the armament is limited to a heavy 12.7 mm M2 machine gun; the crew consists of two men and is capable of carrying up to six riflemen.
Source: US Department of War (US DoW)
Photo credit: @US Army
