Dozens of U.S. Army M88A1 recovery vehicles are to be converted to a new configuration by BAE Systems under a $153.6 million contract.

A total of 53 M88A1 recovery vehicles will be converted to the M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift Evacuation System -- or HERCULES -- configuration, which is able to recover the M1 Abrams tank and the heaviest mine-resistant ambush protected variants on the battlefield.

"This contract provides enhanced capabilities for America's soldiers and will help preserve the defense industrial base by retaining critical employees and unique skill sets," said Adam Zarfoss, director of Artillery and Recovery Systems at BAE Systems. "The HERCULES is a significant upgrade over its predecessor and is essential to fulfill successful recovery missions."

Work on the vehicles will be primarily conducted at company facilities in York, Pa., extending the M88 production line within the Combat Vehicle Industrial Base through 2016.

BAE Systems said additional work under the contract would be performed at Anniston Army Depot and BAE Systems' Aiken, S.C., facility.

The company has so far converted nearly 650 U.S. Army M88 vehicles to the HERCULES configuration.