Orleans, LA -- Textron Marine & Land Systems (TM&LS), an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, announced Jun. 27 that the U.S. Army Contracting Command, Warren, Mich., has awarded the company a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification to continue providing training and logistics support in Afghanistan.

The contract authorizes initial funding of $14.95 million, and has a potential value of $30.51 million.

The support contract was awarded in May 2011, and is associated with the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Mobile Strike Force Vehicle (MSFV) armored vehicle program. This option includes funding for vehicle deprocessing field service representatives, instructors, interpreters and in-theatre management, and other direct costs for an additional one-year period.

"This work is an example of the full-spectrum of support we offer our vehicle customers," explained TM&LS Senior Vice President and General Manager Tom Walmsley. "On a daily basis we're demonstrating capabilities as an end-to-end provider - from designing, testing and manufacturing MSFVs in the United States, to providing Afghanistan-based vehicle deprocessing, fielding, training, maintenance and logistics support to stand up a new force structure."

In less than 20 months the MSFV program has gone from vehicle concept to the point at which the first ANA battalion - called a Kandak - is fully equipped with its MSFVs and its mechanics and operators thoroughly trained.

"Afghan soldiers are now able to actively participate in operations using these highly mobile and protected vehicles - a significant step toward Afghanistan's goal of taking the reins of its own security and defense," said Walmsley.

TM&LS began full-rate production of 240 MSFVs last year, with the first vehicles arriving in Afghanistan in February. Options for 200 additional vehicles have since been awarded.

Mobile Strike Force Vehicles are derived from the combat-proven M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), and are configured with Enhanced Survivability capability, which improves blast protection to mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) levels. These highly mobile and survivable vehicles continue to possess the ASV's original, all-important V-shaped hull design, in addition to innovative protection design features that enable it to meet MRAP blast protection standards.