BAE Systems to produce 26 M88A2 armored recovery vehicles for Poland.

BAE Systems via its Twitter account announced on December 21, 2022, that the company awarded a $128 million contract for the production of 26 M88A2 HERCULES tracked armored recovery vehicles for the Polish army.
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United States army M88A2 ARV Armored Recovery Vehicle. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The M88A2 is a tracked recovery vehicle manufactured by the defense company BAE Systems and was designed to recover the most modern version of the American-made M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) on the battlefield.

In April 2022, Poland signed a contract with the United States to procure 250 M1A2 Abrams SEP V3 tanks. It is therefore normal that Poland also faces the acquisition of M88A2 ARVs (Armored Recovery Vehicles) as part of its purchase of M1A2 tanks.

The M88A2 HERCULES is a combat-proven, fully-tracked, steel-armored recovery vehicle that performs hoisting, winching, and towing operations for today’s heaviest combat systems. It is equipped to assist in the repair of disabled vehicles under general field conditions and to recover vehicles under hostile fire. It can recover combat vehicles and tanks weighing up to 70 tons such as Leopard, M1A1, M1A2, bridging systems, and other vehicles.

The M88A2 Hercules is equipped with winches that are hydraulically operated. The vehicle is equipped with an auxiliary power unit (APU) that provides backup hydraulic and electrical power. The APU also provides power for refueling and fuel transfer. The vehicle carries a crew of three including the commander, operator, and mechanic. It has compartment space for four members of the recovered vehicle.

The hull of the M88A2 Hercules is designed to offer ballistic protection against the firing of small arms and artillery shells as well as blasts of a mine explosion.

The M88A2 is motorized with a continental AVDS-1790-8CR V12 air-cooled twin-turbo diesel engine developing 1,050 hp. It can run at a maximum road speed of 48 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 480 km.