Charlotte-based Spartan Chassis Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR), said Friday it had been awarded a subcontract order from defense contractor BAE Systems worth approximately $56.4 million to support the production of advanced tactical vehicles under the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected, or MRAP, program.

The custom chassis manufacturer will supply and integrate key chassis components for BAE Systems' RG33 Category I and II vehicles under the terms of the subcontract. The vehicles are scheduled for completion in the third and fourth quarters of 2008.

After this order, Spartan Motors Inc. reported its consolidated backlog as of Tuesday, May 6, totaled $345.5 million.