General Dynamics European Land Systems has entered a contract with the German Bundesamt fur Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (BWB) for the delivery of 198 EAGLE IV protected Command and Function Vehicles, including 25 vehicles that were delivered earlier under an agreement reached in July. The contract has a total value of 106 million Euros (approx. $141 million), including provision for development of a logistics and service-support organization.

This contract is the largest order ever awarded for the new EAGLE IV vehicle. The 198 vehicles now under contract will be manufactured in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, and Kaiserslautern, Germany. Deliveries will commence in 2008 and will extend to 2010.

Within the framework of the “GFF Klasse 2″ program – protected Command and Function vehicles – unprotected carrier vehicles of the Bundeswehr will be replaced by the EAGLE IV to enhance the safety of German soldiers wherever they may serve. Due to its high deployability, agility and tactical mobility, the EAGLE IV is suitable for the entire mission spectrum for this class of vehicles. The EAGLE IV can be used for various missions by applying modular add-on kits. Furthermore, the substantial payload capability – which is significant, despite the high level of crew protection – supports the growth potential required to fulfill future requirements. For self-protection, all vehicles will be equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station of the KMW FLW 100/200 type.

In addition to its crew-protection and mobility advantages, the EAGLE IV also enjoys high degree of logistic commonality among the EAGLE IV and the DURO IIIP tactical truck, which has already been successfully introduced in the German Bundeswehr as the RLS “YAK.” The vehicles share many essential components, such as the engine, transmission, axles, wheel drives, differentials and brakes, helping reducecosts. The German Bundeswehr will share the cost advantage of a common EAGLE IV and DURO IIIP fleet previously enjoyed only by Denmark.

The baseline development of the EAGLE IV was completed with the roll-out of the first prototype at the end of 2003. Just two years later, the Danish Army ordered 90 vehicles. At the beginning of 2006, the German BWB purchased two EAGLE IV demonstrator vehicles for intensive comparative tests. In these demanding tests, the EAGLE IV proved its superior mobility, a high level of protection for the crew, a large usable volume, and a high payload.

The EAGLE IV sets the standard for protected wheeled vehicles in the weight class of up to 9 t. The EAGLE IV has a length of 5.40 m, a height of 2.4 m, a width of 2.16 m, and it accommodates up to 5 persons. It reaches a top speed of 110 km/h on the road and manages gradients of up to 60%. The 245 hp Cummins turbocharged diesel engine, in connection with an Allison 5-speed automatic transmission, the unique DeDion axle system with the patented roll stabilizer, the tire pressure control system and the permanent all-wheel drive give the EAGLE IV superior on-road and off-road mobility. Thanks to the modular protection system, the EAGLE IV offers a very high level of protection against ballistic threats, mines, and IEDs. The vehicle is equipped with an NBC overpressure system.