STERLING HEIGHTS — The Sterling Heights-based defense contractor Mettle Ops this week announced an additional $4.26 million in funding from the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to improve the safety and survivability of Army vehicles.
The increase brings the company’s total contract with TARDEC to $13.36 million.
“We are excited to receive this increase, as this shows that the DoD is taking this topic seriously and allowing TARDEC to pursue survivability solutions for increased soldier safety, which is our passion,” said Mettle Ops president Katie Bigelow.
Mettle Ops is responsible for the program management, design, modeling and simulations, analysis, and documentation under the agreement.
The deal will continue to provide both virtual and physical prototypes for tracked and wheeled ground vehicles, specifically Abrams Main Battle Tank, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, Combat Vehicle Prototype, and Next Generation Combat Vehicle.
TARDEC is continuously seeking the latest technologies to affordably and effectively enhance vehicle and crew survivability for existing and future ground vehicle systems. This collaboration with Mettle Ops will assist TARDEC in achieving its goals.
“Our chief goal is to serve the warfighter,” Bigelow said. “Survivability effort deals like this provide soldiers with equipment that protects them better in wartime environments.”
A certified Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) and founded in 2013, Mettle Ops specializes in extensive research, development, manufacturing and fabrication, reverse engineering, ground vehicle design, test and evaluation experience, and system integration capabilities. The company’s team includes veterans with 35 years combined experience in Army service.
More at www.mettleops.com.
Mettle Ops is a state and federal contracting entity of Bigelow Family Holdings LLC.