Spartan Chassis, a unit of Spartan Motors Inc., has been awarded a subcontract order from defense contractor BAE Systems to support continued production of the International Light Armored Vehicles (ILAV's) -- a threat-specific mine-protected vehicle. The subcontract award includes an initial order of 24 ILAVs that will begin shipping in Q2 2013 and was issued as a three-year Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, providing for the possibility of follow-on orders.

These vehicles perform specialized, mission-critical tasks such as supporting convoy operations, executing ordnance removal and disposal or extracting injured soldiers. Under the terms of the subcontract, the Spartan Defense and Government (SDG) Business Unit of Spartan Chassis, the Michigan-based specialty vehicle manufacturer, will supply and fully integrate automotive chassis and deliver final assembled ILAVs to the Tank and Automotive Command as part of their Foreign Military Sales program.

"This is an affirmation of Spartan's opportunity and continued role in the evolving Defense marketplace," says Tom Gorman, COO, Spartan Motors. "The Spartan Chassis team has consistently performed to the exacting standards of BAE Systems and the Defense Department as evidenced by this contract award and our ISO 9001:2008 certification. We are proud to support the ILAV program and all of our coalition partners who protect freedom day-in and day-out."