Army announces additional contracts for tactical vehicles

The Army announced two contracts this week for additional tactical vehicles, according to Defense Department announcements.

BAE Systems received a $113 million contract for M7A4 Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicles with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2025. Oshkosh received a $40 million contract for Joint Light Tactical Vehicles with an estimated completion date of Aug. 29, 2025, that includes the Navy, Marines and Air Force.

The M7A4 Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicle is a variant of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle that carries sensor and sighting systems designed to relay targeting information to support artillery fire.

Entering service in 1981, other variants of the Bradley include the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, M3 Cavalry Vehicle and an engineer vehicle.

The Army is slated to replace the Bradley with the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, previously called the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle.

Designed to replace a portion of humvees, the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle has greater armor protection in combat environments and can be transported by airplanes and helicopters. The JLTV has a four-seat combat tactical variant and a two-seat combat support variant.

Last month, a Senate appropriations report warned the Army was not building enough tactical vehicles to meet future needs.