Combat Vehicles

The Army has identified specific parameters and a potential acquisition strategy for its future Robotic Combat Vehicle in a new "campaign plan" released this week.

The Army is seeking "a compromise" with industry on its expectations for intelligent vehicle sensors and the costly proposals that were initially submitted, according to a service official.

Textron Systems is looking to its purchase of ground robotics company Howe and Howe as well as more focused independent research and development spending to help it grow, Lisa Atherton, the unit's president, told reporters today.

The Army wants to equip its next generation of combat vehicles with automated target acquisition so soldiers can see farther and faster, according to an official.

The Army has chosen BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems to build prototypes for the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle, dropping Science Applications International Corp. from consideration.

The Navy this week awarded a $140 million contract modification to BAE Systems to build 30 Amphibious Combat Vehicles for Lot 2 of the program’s low-rate initial production phase.

The Army is testing two non-developmental active protection systems on the Stryker vehicle and expects to begin fielding one of them in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, according to a report sent last month to the congressional defense committees.

The Army's highest-priority acquisition program to modernize its combat vehicle fleet is off to a delayed start, as the service is taking more time than originally planned to refine requirements and request proposals for a future Bradley replacement.

Army leaders, refining the requirement for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle program, have prioritized four capabilities for a Bradley replacement: growth potential, the main gun, an advanced forward looking infrared sensor and active protection systems.