OREANDA-NEWS.  The U.S. Army TACOM Contracting Command recently awarded General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), a USD 28 million contract for research, development and testing in preparation for the Stryker Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) upgrade program.

The Stryker ECP upgrade program is an engineering-development effort focused on integrating a group of system improvements into a single upgrade program for the Stryker eight-wheeled vehicle. The objective of this research-and-development effort is to prepare Stryker vehicles to accept additional Army-directed requirements in the future without impacting current vehicle performance. There is no production work associated with this award.

Technical upgrades to the Stryker will include improved automotive and electrical power generation, chassis upgrades and improved vehicle network capabilities.

“This award shows the Army’s long-term commitment to improving Stryker capabilities for the warfighter, while ensuring that platforms are able to integrate planned and future upgrades,” said Gordon Stein, vice president for Stryker Brigade Combat Teams at General Dynamics Land Systems. “This effort will maintain the Stryker’s position as the Army’s primary medium combat vehicle.”

Work will be performed by existing employees in Sterling Heights, Mich. The contract will be completed by November 2018.