- FIRST FOX NBCRS M93A1 VEHICLES ARRIVE
AT GENERAL DYNAMICS LAND SYSTEMS-

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The first two FOX Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance System (NBCRS) M93A1 Upgrade Program vehicles have arrived at General Dynamics Land Systems for validation of technical manuals and development of troubleshooting procedures and training material. Arrival of the vehicles was critical to meeting delivery of the training data required for government development of M93A1 electronic manuals at Picatinny Arsenal and the start of training at Fort McClellan, Alabama.

The two vehicles came from Henschel Wehrtecnik where they were upgraded to the M93A1 configuration. These vehicles will be delivered to General Dynamics' Anniston Operations in Anniston, Alabama in November 1997 for final paint and acceptance after the logistics work is completed at Sterling Heights. From here the vehicles will be shipped to Fort McClellan, Alabama for the start of key personnel training this December.

Army training to support production qualification testing (PQT) begins in February 1998. Following PQT, the vehicles will be returned to the Anniston Army Depot for rework and subsequent fielding. The first unit equipped is scheduled to be fielded October 1998.

General Dynamics was awarded a $39 million contract by the U.S. Army Chemical and Biological Command earlier this year as part of a $131.3 million contract to upgrade the FOX Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance System to the M93A1 configuration. The upgrade will incorporate organic direct support maintenance and supply support, and reduce the number of operators from four to three. A total of 62 vehicles will be upgraded of which 59 will be done at the Anniston Army Depot by a team of General Dynamics Land Systems, Henschel Wehrtecnik, and Anniston Army Depot personnel.

The basic contract provides for the establishment of a government owned/contractor operated facility at the Anniston Army Depot where the upgrade activity will take place. Eight vehicles will be upgraded in conjunction with this basic contract. The remaining vehicles will be upgraded via contract options in FY 97, 30 systems; FY 98, 12 systems; and FY 99, 12 systems. Work will be performed in Germany (43.2%); Anniston Army Depot, Anniston, Alabama (30.3%); General Dynamics Land Systems, Sterling Heights, Michigan (22.2%); and Glendale, California (4.3%). The basic contract completion date is September 30, 1998 with all options completed by March 31, 2001.

General Dynamics Land Systems, a division of General Dynamics Corporation, is a world leader in the development, production, and support of armored vehicles and electronic systems. Its 3,400 employees operate plants and facilities in seven states and at three international locations. More information about General Dynamics Land Systems can be found on the Internet at www.gdls.com.

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LS-97-21
8-25-97