Army Picks 3 Firms for Potential $12B Manpack Radio Production Contract

The U.S. Army has awarded three companies spots on a potential 10-year, $12.7 billion contract to provide tactical radio systems, accessories and support services.

The Defense Department said Friday that General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), Harris (NYSE: HRS) and Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) will compete for task orders under the Army’s Handheld, Manpack and Small Form Fit radio procurement initiative.

Each contractor will initially build 30 two-channel, software-based military communication radios for qualification testing, the Army noted.

Vendors whose technology meets the Army’s HMS radio system requirements will move into the competition’s next phase that involves production of an additional 60 systems for further tests.

The Army is authorized to buy as many as 60, 296 radios throughout the 10-year acquisition program and expects full-rate production to commence in fiscal 2017’s fourth quarter.

The program will run through March 20, 2026, and the Army Contracting Command will provide funds and performance location upon award of each order.

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