Battelle has won a $170 million contract to build armored pickup trucks for U.S. Special Operations Command.
The company already holds a contract for SOCOM’s non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCV), trucks that look much like civilian models but are heavily modified to integrate armor, high-performance automotive upgrades and communication equipment
SOCOM on July 14 awarded the indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract to Battelle over four other competitors. Work will be performed through 2023 at Battelle’s Columbus, Ohio, plant. The contract also includes an option for two more years.
Battelle’s NSCV retains the appearance of a standard Toyota [ADR] Hilux and Land Cruiser or Ford [F] Ranger pickup but are re-engineered with crew protection, enhanced suspension for improved off-road mobility, and a reinforced chassis for durability. The NSCV, therefore, is less conspicuous during covert operations.
The contract covers procurement, fielding, initial spares and new equipment training for up to an estimated 511 NSCVs, to include 375 armored variants and another 136 unarmored variants, according to the government’s contracting website. The contract will encompass all eligible lifecycle replacement vehicles and emerging requirements for a seven-year ordering period.
For more than a decade, Battelle has taken existing vehicles, reengineered them with protective armor and added other durability features, such as stronger suspensions for operations in rugged terrain and enhanced alternators to withstand extreme climates.
“Battelle has a proven track record of performing sophisticated systems integration for military and commercial applications,” said Fred Byus, vice president of Battelle’s Mission and Defense Technologies business, in a prepared statement. “Under this contract, our vehicle systems team will execute on its custom designs and integrate complex systems to meet mission requirements—at a competitive cost.”
Another of the NSCV hopefuls was former Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicle manufacturer Navistar [NAV], which has been trying to score more military work since the Army and Marine Corps stopped buying the bombproof trucks. Navistar designed its Special Operations Tactical Vehicle-B (SOTV-B) from scratch to meet the NSCV requirement.