PEORIA, IL-Caterpillar Inc. has been awarded a long-term contract worth up to $641.2 million to manufacture 621G wheeled tractor scrapers for the U.S. Department of Defense. This marks the largest single award Caterpillar has won from the U.S. Department of Defense, the company says.

The wheeled tractor scrapers will be manufactured at Caterpillar's facility in Decatur, Ill. The machines will support the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army and will be used, along with other pieces of the company’s equipment, in construction engineering operations around the world.

These machines will have specifications called for by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, including lift and tiedown provisions to allow for military transportation and keyless engine start.

The five-year contract has the option of being extended for up to an additional five years. If the contract is extended for the full 10 years, the U.S. Department of Defense can potentially order up to 909 wheeled tractor scrapers.