Gunner protection system on order

The U.S. Marine Corps is receiving BAE Gunner Protection Systems for the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement and the High Mobility Multi-Wheel Vehicles. The order for 519 systems is worth $18 million, the company said. "Our tested and proven gunner protection system not only protects our warfighters from harm but it also gives them enhanced situational awareness on the battlefield," said Robert Houston, vice president of Readiness and Sustainment at BAE Systems. "While the U.S. Marine Corps has been the dominant user of the gun protection system capability, the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy have also used the systems in combat and experienced positive results." The Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement will receive 135 gun protection systems and the HMMWV will receive 384. The gunner protection system kits further enhance survivability by providing improved target acquisition capability and protection from small arms fire and improvised explosive device fragments. BAE Systems said its transparent armored gun shield units have been configured for a wide range of vehicles, including Bradley, M1 Abrams, M113, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, HMMWV Logistics Vehicle System, Assault Amphibious Vehicle -- Personnel and for the Stryker Common Ballistic Shield. The additional contract order will bring the total number of MCTAGS kits sold to 11,157, since the program started in 2005. The kits will be assembled at the BAE Systems facility in Louisville, Ky., with the Battery Powered Motorized Traversing Unit to be assembled at the company's Fairfield, Ohio, facility. Delivery is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year.