- GENERAL DYNAMICS AND ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT
DELIVER FIRST UPGRADED M93A1 FOX NBCRS VEHICLE
TO U.S. ARMY -

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- The first of 62 M93A1 Fox Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance Systems (NBCRS) to be upgraded by General Dynamics Land Systems and the Anniston Army Depot in Anniston, Alabama, has been delivered to the United States for testing ahead of schedule.

The U.S. Army is upgrading 62 Fox NBCRS wheeled armored vehicles with the goal of enhancing capabilities to detect and analyze potentially deadly chemicals for soldiers to avoid this battlefield contamination. This improved Fox, designated the M93A1, will eventually replace the currently fielded XM93 model. These newer vehicles are equipped with enhanced chemical detection, warning, and communication capabilities. The Fox NBCRS has provisions to obtain samples of potential biological and chemical contaminated items for future analysis.

Sixty Fox vehicles currently in use by the U.S. Armed Forces (U.S. Army and Marines) were provided free of charge by the German government just before the 1991 Persian Gulf War. The United States Army also purchased an additional 63 Fox vehicles for both urgent fielding and incorporation of necessary improvements.

The improved M93A1 Fox incorporates improved integrated sensors to allow stand-off detection of airborne chemicals up to five kilometers away, and rapid collection and transmission of data with a reduced crew size from four to three personnel.

The M93A1 Fox NBCRS vehicle integrated detection, warning, and sampling equipment into a high-speed, high-mobility armored carrier that can operate on primary, secondary, or cross country routes throughout the battlefield at up to 100 kilometers per hour and up to 10 kilometers per hour of amphibious operation. Typically, a team of two vehicles will precede the movement of troops and materiel to locate and mark contaminated areas.

General Dynamics began modifying a facility at the Anniston Army Depot in 1997 to upgrade the XM93 Fox vehicles to the M93A1 configuration. The vehicles will be upgraded with major components from various suppliers throughout the United States and Germany. Land Systems is scheduled to complete the upgrade of the initial 62 vehicles over a three-year period. It is anticipated that the balance of the fleet of 61 Fox NBCRS vehicles will also undergo upgrade following the completion of the first units.

The upgraded M93A1 Fox is compatible with digitized command and control architecture. When it sends an NBC warning message, it will be transmitted in the format that allows all the units to see that message on their display units. Army officials have noted that hazards to the Fox crew are essentially eliminated through the inclusion of vehicle NBC collective protection, providing a chemical and biological filtration system and positive over-pressure with heating and cooling.

General Dynamics Land Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics Corporation, is a world leader in the development, production, and support of armored vehicles and electronic systems. Its 3,500 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-98-4
3-5-98