U.S. Army Orders 36 more M88A2 Hercules Heavy Armoured Recovery Vehicles 30107151

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Defence & Security News - United States
 
U.S. Army Orders 36 more M88A2 Hercules Heavy Armoured Recovery Vehicles
BAE Systems Land & Armaments was awarded an $110 million (€99 million) contract for 36 M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System (HERCULES) vehicles and spares for United States Army. Work will be performed in York, Pennsylvania with an estimated completion date of Aug. 31, 2018.
     
U.S. Army Orders 36 more M88A2 Hercules Heavy Armoured Recovery Vehicles An M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System, also known as Hercules, is loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Photo: U.S. DoD.
     

The M88A2 is an improved version of the M-88 and M88A1 heavy armoured recovery vehicle. The upgrade was made after a request from the U.S. Army to safely tow and recover battle-damaged, mired or inoperative Abrams main battle tanks. The M88A2 HERCULES, using M88A1 hulls, modified to specification by Anniston Army Depot, upgrades the basic M88 chassis to meet the increased demands of towing, winching, and lifting the M1, M1A1, and M1A2 tank.

The M88A2 HERCULES is a combat proven, fully-tracked, steel-armored recovery vehicle that performs hoisting, winching and towing operations for today’s heaviest combat systems. It is equipped to assist in the repair of disabled vehicles under general field conditions and to recover vehicles under hostile fire. The US Army received its first M88A2 on 11 Jul 97.

In 2014, more than 1,000 M88A1/2 were on service in U.S. Army. M88 is also in service in Australia, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain and Thailand.