BAE gets $36M contract for recovery vehicles

BAE Systems won a $36.4 million contract to continue producing the Hercules recovery vehicles for the Army, the Defense Department announced on Nov. 22.

Under the contract, BAE will manufacture the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System vehicles at their facility in York, PA with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2025.

Earlier this year, BAE received contracts to manufacture the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle, the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle and the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer.

Based on the Abrams tank, the M88A2 is designed to recover vehicles weighing up to 70 tons, remove and replace turrets as well as provide fuel.

In 2018, the Army announced a solicitation for the M88A3, which features an upgraded engine and tracks along with the capability to recover vehicles weighing up to 80 tons.

The Army will not procure the M88A2 during fiscal year 2024 but will procure 14 vehicles in FY 2025, according to budget documents.

In addition to the U.S., the M88 is currently used by Australia, Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Thailand.