Combat Vehicles

The head of Army Materiel Command has directed a critical change to make equipment in prepositioned stocks combat-ready.

The Army's plans to upgrade M113s in echelons above brigade will be constrained to a small number outside the continental United States in South Korea and Europe, according to the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle project manager.

The Army has "effectively" managed the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle acquisition program through the critical design review, but the service needs to address multiple factors that may impact the program's future, according to the Defense Department inspector general.

Two ground combat vehicle manufacturers, BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems, are ready to compete in the Marine Corps' fifth-generation armored reconnaissance vehicle to replace the Light Armored Vehicle fleet.

Maj. Gen. David Bassett, program executive officer for ground combat systems, told reporters Oct. 9 the Army has elected to purchase one brigade set of the Trophy active protection system.

The Army has awarded a contract for a prototyping effort expected to inform the service's future combat vehicle development efforts.

The Army is seeking industry input for an active protection system for its Abrams main battle tank -- a solicitation geared toward the Trophy APS currently being tested on the Abrams.

The Senate aims to require the Army to justify its pursuit of upgrades to the M113 armored troop carrier, amid longstanding concerns about the vehicle's survivability.

The Army is pursuing a prototype project to examine an amphibious, robotic, all-terrain vehicle capability, according to a Sept. 11 request for proposals released on Federal Business Opportunities.