BAE Systems Triumphs in U.S. Army CATV Bid, Secures $278 Million Deal

BAE Systems’ Beowulf has triumphed in the U.S. Army’s contest for its Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) initiative, and the firm has secured a $278 million contract for production models, spare components, and contractor logistical support.

This achievement further establishes BAE Systems as the foremost contender in the development and manufacturing of military all-terrain vehicles tailored for operations in rugged landscapes and severe weather conditions.

Beowulf is an unarmored, tracked, and exceptionally adaptable vehicle designed to transport personnel along with various payloads in its dual compartments. Beowulf can maneuver through snow, ice, rock, sand, mud, and swamp environments, and is capable of operating in steep mountainous areas. Its amphibious capability enables it to navigate flooded regions or coastal waters. This represents the inaugural sale of Beowulf, modeled on its sibling BvS10 armored variant utilized by multiple European countries.

With the increasing emphasis on Arctic Mobility operations, we encounter growing prospects in additional markets for the BvS10 and Beowulf, as there is a rising demand to replace outdated BV206s.

“Beowulf is an exceptionally effective solution to fulfill the US Army’s needs for Arctic operations. We are eager to equip our troops operating in challenging terrains and conditions with this highly functional vehicle,” remarked Mark Signorelli, vice president of business development at BAE Systems Platforms & Services. “Our team has been enhancing and refining cold weather all-terrain capabilities for decades, delivering advanced solutions to the United States and various other nations. This contract signifies our ongoing commitment to this endeavor for many years ahead.”

Beowulf’s articulated mobility system is pivotal to its efficiency, ensuring superior maneuverability across different surfaces. Its modular architecture can be adjusted for multiple missions, including logistical support, disaster and humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, and other required missions.

With expansive windows and a roomy interior, Beowulf is well-suited for the challenges posed by the CATV program, such as search and rescue, defense support for civilian authorities, and homeland defense. Its contemporary, commercial design prioritizes soldiers’ operational effectiveness in carrying out a diverse range of demanding missions.

Beowulf successfully concluded the prototype evaluation phase of the CATV initiative earlier this year in Alaska. It excelled in various tasks while remaining fully mission-ready. The evaluations encompassed amphibious operations, traversing terrains with differing complexities, commencing and functioning in extreme cold, and most importantly, assessments conducted by soldiers.

Manufactured by BAE Systems Hägglunds in northern Sweden, Beowulf benefits from firsthand expertise in Arctic operational environments. The platform incorporates several vital components sourced from U.S. suppliers, such as its engine, transmission, and hydraulic system. The CATV initiative is set to replace the legacy fleet of Small Unit Support Vehicles (SUSVs), also produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds, known globally as the BV206. The BV206 has been operational internationally, including within the U.S. Armed Forces, since the early 1980s.