has received a $128 million increment of a $257 million contract for 130 new eight-wheeled Light Armored Vehicles (LAV-A2) in various configurations for the US Marine Corps.
The contract has a total potential value of $307 million if a $50 million option for electric turret drives is exercised.
The LAV-A2 variants are an improved version of the Marines' Light Armored Vehicle series which entered service in the 1980s and continues operational employment today.
General Dynamics will deliver armoured personnel, anti-tank, command & control, logistic, and mortar variants beginning in July 2007. Work will be performed by General Dynamics employees in
The eight-wheeled amphibious armoured vehicle is equipped with an improved suspension, is fitted for enhanced armour protection and features an automatic fire suppression system for crew protection.
Power is provided by a Detroit Diesel 6V53T diesel engine developing 275 horsepower coupled to an Allison MT653, 6 speed (5 forward, 1 reverse) automatic transmission. The four rear wheels drive the vehicle on a full-time basis, but eight-wheel drive is selectable.
PMI falls as manufacturers feel the squeeze
17 months or two and a half years - which is it?