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The global defence prime has been selected to deliver next-generation all-terrain vehicle capability to the US Army.
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The US Army has awarded a $278 million (AU$403 million) contract to BAE Systems for the provision of production units, spare parts and contractor logistics support for its Beowulf platform under the Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program.
BAE Systems’ proposal was selected as part of a competition to identify a next-generation solution, capable of operating in harsh terrains and in the toughest weather conditions.
Beowulf is billed as an unarmoured, tracked and highly versatile vehicle, designed to carry personnel and a variety of payloads in either of its two compartments.
The platform is reportedly capable of operating in snow, ice, rock, sand, mud and swamp conditions, as well as steep mountain environments.
Beowulf, which leverages the design of the BvS10 armoured variant, has also been built to swim in flooded areas or coastal waters.
According to BAE Systems, Beowulf’s modular design can be reconfigured for multiple missions, including logistical support, disaster and humanitarian relief, search and rescue, and other missions as required.
“Beowulf is a highly capable solution to meet the US Army’s requirement for Arctic operations,” Mark Signorelli, vice president of business development at BAE Systems Platforms and Services, said.
“We look forward to providing our soldiers operating in challenging terrain and environments with this highly capable vehicle.
“We have been maturing and modernising cold weather all-terrain capabilities for decades, bringing advanced capabilities to the United States and numerous other countries. This contract means we will continue to do so for many years to come.”
Beowulf completed the prototype evaluation phase of the CATV program earlier this year in Alaska.
Testing included amphibious operations, navigating terrain with varying levels of complexity, starting and operating in extreme cold weather, and user assessment by soldiers.
Beowulf is built by BAE Systems Hägglunds in northern Sweden, and includes components (engine, transmission, and hydraulic system) from US suppliers.
Vehicles procured under the CATV program are expected to replace the legacy fleet of small unit support vehicles (SUSVs).
[Related: BAE Systems receives ACV-30 test vehicle contract from US Marine Corps]
