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US Army orders more Beowulf all-terrain vehicles

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US Army orders more Beowulf all-terrain vehicles

BAE Systems announced it has secured $68 million in contracts to produce 44 additional Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles (CATV) for the U.S. Army.

This includes a $48 million add-on to the existing full-rate production contract awarded in August 2022, as well as a $20 million award for 2025 funding.

“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.”

The CATV, widely known as the Beowulf, is a dual-body amphibious vehicle designed for extreme environments. It serves as part of the BvS10 family and is based on the unarmored Beowulf variant. The U.S. Army selected the Beowulf in 2022 to replace the aging Bv206 fleet for Arctic operations, providing a modernized platform for extended missions and force projection in cold climates.

Photo by John Pennell

The Beowulf excels in tactical mobility, boasting proven driveline technologies derived from the battle-tested BvS10 vehicles currently in service worldwide. Its design emphasizes reliability, durability, and operational readiness, ensuring high system availability even in the most challenging terrains.

The vehicle is manufactured by BAE Systems Hägglunds in northern Sweden, leveraging firsthand experience in arctic environments. Beowulf’s modular design allows for diverse mission capabilities, from military operations to humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

Some of the new vehicles were spotted during air assault training over Neibhur Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on December 11, 2024. These exercises demonstrated Beowulf’s effectiveness in navigating icy terrains and validated its suitability for operations in the Arctic region.

With its ability to operate in extreme conditions and its adaptability to multiple mission types, the CATV program reinforces the U.S. Army’s readiness in cold-weather environments. As Arctic geopolitics increasingly influence global security, the Beowulf positions the Army to respond effectively to emerging challenges in the region.

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