BAE Systems yesterday said it received a $55 million contract for the second phase of the Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) work for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

This contract continues the ECP research and development efforts to upgrade the full Bradley fleet and improve the overall vehicle performance for the Army.

Last year, the company received $16 million in funding under this contract. The full value contract is expected to reach $234 million.

“By implementing these engineering changes, we will be able to provide soldiers with new technologies and improved vehicle performance to counter existing and future threats,” said Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Vehicle Systems at BAE. “This contract allows us to develop and implement improvements that best meet our current warfighter needs and ensure that the Bradley remains one of the most effective vehicles in the Army’s arsenal.”

This ECP2 contract funds the Research Development Test & Evaluation effort that will improve the Bradley’s engine, transmission, and power distribution. These new technologies will be integrated into the Bradley so that the space, weight, and power-cooling functions are current and well-maintained throughout the fleet.

The contract was awarded by Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command and work is anticipated to begin this month with the final delivery expected in July 2017.  The work will be done by the existing workforce at BAE operations in York, Pa.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; and Santa Clara, Calif.