Textron Systems’ [TXT] Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS) yesterday said it was awarded initial $14.95 million funding of a potential $30.51 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to continue providing training and logistics support in Afghanistan.
The support contract issued by the Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., was awarded in May 2011, and is associated with the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) armored vehicle program.
This option includes funding for vehicle deprocessing field service representatives, instructors, interpreters, in-theater management, and other direct costs for an additional one-year period.
“This work is an example of the full-spectrum of support we offer our vehicle customers,” said TM&LS Senior Vice President and General Manager Tom Walmsley. “On a daily basis we’re demonstrating capabilities as an end-to-end provider–from designing, testing and manufacturing MSFVs in the United States, to providing Afghanistan-based vehicle deprocessing, fielding, training, maintenance and logistics support to stand up a new force structure.”
In less than 20 months, the MSFV program has gone from vehicle concept to the point at which the first ANA battalion–called a Kandak –is fully equipped with its MSFVs and its mechanics and operators thoroughly trained.
“Afghan soldiers are now able to actively participate in operations using these highly mobile and protected vehicles–a significant step toward Afghanistan’s goal of taking the reins of its own security and defense,” Walmsley said.
TM&LS began full-rate production of 240 MSFVs last year, with the first vehicles arriving in Afghanistan in February. Options for 200 additional vehicles have since been awarded.