Combat Vehicles

Army leaders next week plan to consider formally launching a new big-ticket armored fighting vehicle program, advancing plans for a Mobile Protected Firepower capability to bolster infantry units in fights against a near-peer adversary -- such as Russia -- and setting the stage for an expected competition between General Dynamics and BAE Systems estimated to be worth at least $3 billion.

General Dynamics this week unveiled a vehicle demonstrator, dubbed the "Griffin," that retains the Abrams tank's turret and 120 mm gun to address the Army’s mobile protected firepower needs.

The Marine Corps recently awarded a sole-source contract to Science Applications International Corp. to upgrade the electrical system of the legacy amphibious vehicle as part of a survivability upgrade effort, according to the service and the company.

The Defense Department Inspector General's office has announced it will carry out a second audit of the Army's Paladin Integrated Management program, focusing on the under-vehicle force protection requirement.

The Army must prioritize "close combat overmatch" and ground vehicles in its modernization efforts, according to the director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center, housed within Training and Doctrine Command.

The Defense Department last month tweaked its $1.6 trillion roster of big-ticket weapon system projects by adding four new programs and formally advising Congress of schedule changes for three high-profile projects.

Dozens of lawmakers have sent a bipartisan letter to President Obama in the hopes of postponing a $1.5 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia amid opposition to Saudi military actions in Yemen and reports of civilian casualties.

Plans for the Mobile Protected Firepower program, designed to provide Infantry Brigade Combat Teams with long-range, precision fire capabilities, were unveiled at an Aug. 9 industry day, Col. William Nuckols, director of mounted requirements at the Army's Maneuver Center of Excellence, told Inside the Army last week.

Lawmakers have permitted the Army to reallocate hundreds of millions of dollars to support key priorities outlined in a reprogramming request signed May 6 by Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord and released publicly Aug. 12.