GM Defense has received a major boost from the U.S. Department of War, with nearly $700 million added to its contract to build Chevrolet Colorado-based Infantry Squad Vehicles for the U.S. Army.
The $697.7 million modification is more than three times the $214 million value listed in the Army’s original 2020 contract for Infantry Squad Vehicle procurement. The expanded agreement will fund engineering changes to make the Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility safer and more comfortable for troops.
GM Defense Contract Reaches $915.6 Million
On September 14, the U.S. Army exercised the $697.7 million modification through Army Contracting Command-Detroit Arsenal under the original 2020 Infantry Squad Vehicle contract. The funding covers engineering changes to the Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility, or ISV-U, along with an ISV Utility Winch Kit.
The modification brings GM Defense’s total vehicle manufacturing contract with the government to $915.6 million, according to the Department of War on September 21. The figure is close to the $1 billion U.S. Army order estimate provided by GM CEO Mary Barra during the company’s second-quarter earnings call in July.
ISV-U Adds Safety and Comfort Features
GM Defense uses the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 midsize pickup platform as the basis for the ISV-U. The company is the prime contract holder for the ISV-U variant and its winch solution, GM Defense spokeswoman Erica Mitchell told the Detroit Free Press.
In addition to adding a winch, the engineering changes covered by the revised contract include a windshield, heater and defrost system, as well as options for a full crew enclosure kit.
“The Utility variant is built to support logistics requirements and can integrate multiple mission packages including command and control, fire support, electronic warfare, counter-drone, and other future mission packages,” Mitchell said.
GM Defense Begins Deliveries for Patriot Missile Program
The Department of War estimates that the revised contract will be completed by June 25, 2028. The expanded ISV agreement comes shortly after GM Defense reached a formal agreement with Lockheed Martin to produce missile components.
Lockheed Martin confirmed at an event in Dallas on September 17 that GM Defense had already delivered the first mission-critical components for its PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, or MSE, interceptor missile. The missile is used by the MIM-104 Patriot air and missile defense system.
Army Expands ISV-U Capabilities
The ISV is a lightweight, unarmored squad-transport vehicle currently used by Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, Security Force Assistance Brigades and special-operations units.
The updated contract includes changes to the ISV-U designed to support additional equipment and mission requirements, while the Army’s expanded investment in the platform comes as light infantry mobility is reshaped for dispersed operations typical of drone warfare.
