Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS) announced it received a second option award from the US Army Contracting Command, Warren, Michigan, for 65 additional Mobile Strike Force Vehicles (MSFV) for the Afghanistan National Army (ANA). These vehicles are added to the current Undefinitised Contract Action and have a not-to-exceed value of $71.4 million.

Three variants are being produced: MSFV with enclosed turret; MSFV with objective gunner protection kit; and MSFV ambulance. Work is being performed at Textron Marine & Land Systems’ facilities in the New Orleans area, with deliveries now scheduled through May 2013.

TM&LS, in May 2011, received an award for full-rate production of 240 MSFVs along with associated support equipment, spare parts, field service representatives, training and training aids. The first option for 64 MSFVs was announced two months ago.

Mobile Strike Force Vehicles began arriving into Afghanistan in February. Afghan operator new equipment training commenced earlier this month, and the first ANA battalion (called a Kandak) will complete its vehicle training in June. “It’s gratifying to learn about the Afghan soldiers’ enthusiasm as they move through their operator training programme,” said Tom Walmsley, TM&LS Senior Vice President and General Manager.

All MFSUS are derived from the combat-proven M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), and are configured with Enhanced Survivability (ES) capability, which improves blast protection to mineresistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) levels. The ES-equipped vehicles continue to possess the ASV’s original, all-important V-shaped hull design, in addition to innovative protection design features that enable them to meet MRAP blast protection standards.