BAE Systems has been awarded USD 68 million (EUR 65.4 million) in contracts to produce an additional 44 Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles (CATVs) for the US Army, the company announced on 20 December 2024.

The order includes a USD 48 million add-on to the existing full-rate production contract, awarded in August 2022, and a USD 20 million award for 2025 funding.

The CATV is part of the BvS10 family and is based on the unarmoured Beowulf all-terrain tracked vehicle (ATTV), which is built by BAE Systems Hägglunds in northern Sweden. The US Army selected Beowulf in 2022 to replace the Bv206 for Arctic operations, providing a modernised ground platform solution for extended operations and force projection in the region. The company was initially awarded a USD 278 million contract for CATV production, spares and contractor logistics support.

The Beowulf is an articulated amphibious ATTV that offers the greatest tactical mobility of any vehicle of its class and is designed to provide total operational support in terrain that other vehicles cannot negotiate. It is based upon battle-proven driveline technologies that underpin the armoured BvS10 family of vehicles currently in service worldwide.

“The CATV provides a dynamic combination of mobility and flexibility to the U.S. Army enabling rapid response in all terrains,” said Dean Medland, vice president of Sustainment & International at BAE Systems. “We are proud to support additional CATV production for the U.S. Army and are confident that the vehicle’s go-anywhere ability and modular design will meet their future needs, allowing them to carry out a range of missions from military operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster response.”

Between 1983 and 1989 the US armed forces, mostly the army, received 1,100 Bv206s, which were introduced under the designation M973/M973A1 Small Unit Support Vehicle.

The CATV is part of BAE Systems’ BvS10 family of all-terrain tracked vehicle (ATTV) and is based on the unarmoured Beowulf, which offers the greatest tactical mobility of any vehicle of its class. (Photo: BAE Systems)