Pentagon clears $281 million sale of HERCULES recovery vehicles to Kuwait

[The Ronin]

The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has announced that the U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for nineteen M88A2 HERCULES recovery vehicles and related equipment and support for an estimated cost of $281 million.

The Hercules, an acronym standing for Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System, is a full tracked armored vehicle used to perform battlefield rescue and recovery missions. The M88A2 is essential to the long-term sustainability of Kuwait’s new M1A2 tank fleet for national defense.

“Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this additional equipment and services,” said DSCA.

Hercules is capable of towing 160,000 pounds, or 80 tons, and its boom and winch can lift 35 tons, or 70,000 pounds.

Hercules is built by the British company BAE Systems and has been in use in one form or another by the Army and Marine Corps since 1959.

Hercules was the primary 70-ton recovery system during Operation Iraqi Freedom. And, U.S. troops found a few other creative uses for its capabilities when they used it to pull down the Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad on April 9, 2003. Hercules utilizes a hull designed for the recovery mission and thoroughly proven by U.S. Army testing. Stability and performance are unmatched by any alternate tank-based design.

The vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU) that provides backup hydraulic and electrical power. The APU also provides power for refueling and fuel transfer. The vehicle carries a crew of three: commander, operator, and mechanic. It has compartment space for four members of the recovered vehicle.

The recovery vehicle has a longer 35-ton (31.75 metric ton) boom; a 70-ton (63.5 metric ton) constant pull main winch with 280 feet (85.3 meters) of cable; and an auxiliary 3-ton (2.7 metric ton) winch to aid main winch cable deployment.

https://defence-blog.com/army/penta...TIHQ59L9LOCumrN1ZoCwot5ol0PpA1IIbAu__93BMFe7s

 

[Kailash Kumar]

Kuwait – M88A2 Recovery Vehicles and Related Equipment and Support

October 10, 2019

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Kuwait for nineteen (19) M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) recovery vehicles and related equipment and support for an estimated cost of $281 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of Kuwait has requested a possible sale of nineteen (19) M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction System (HERCULES) recovery vehicles and nineteen (19) .50 caliber machine guns. Also included is the refurbishment/overhaul of existing fleet of M88Al/A2 recovery vehicles; M239 Smoke Grenade Launchers; AN/PVS-7D Night Vision Goggles; Driver Vision Enhancer DVE-CV (platform-mounted Night Vision Device) for vehicles; Vehicle Intercom Set (VIC-3); Commander's Cupola gun shield assembly for vehicle crew chief; Remote Thermal Sights/kits (vehicle-mounted sights); SINCGARS AN-VRC92E Export Radio System and support; logistics support fielding packages; special tools and test equipment; spare and maintenance support parts for vehicles and machine guns; transportation services; Repair and Return services for vehicle components; de-processing team; contractor System Technical Support (STS) and Field Service Representatives (FSRs); training; and U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The total estimated program cost is $281 million.

The proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a Major Non-NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The M88A2 HERCULES is a full tracked armored vehicle used to perform battlefield rescue and recovery missions. The M88A2 is essential to the long-term sustainability of Kuwait's new M1A2 tank fleet for national defense. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this additional equipment and services.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors involved in this program are the BAE Systems - York, PA; US Ordnance - McCarran, NV; DRS Technologies - Arlington, VA; Harris Corp. - Tysons Corner, VA; Northrup Grumman - West Falls Church, VA; and Raytheon - McKinney, TX. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require five to seven U.S. Government or contractor representatives to travel to Kuwait for a period of 12 months for vehicle de-processing and training. If refurbishment/overhaul takes place in Kuwait, the estimated number of U.S. Government or contractors required is eight over an estimated 18-month period.

https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sal...-vehicles-and-related-equipment-and-support-0