Combat Vehicles

Army senior leaders will spend fiscal year 2018 laying the groundwork for potential new programs, even though it will require them to devote fewer resources to improving existing systems, according to the service's deputy chief of staff (G-8).

General Dynamics Land Systems plans to build a prototype for the Marine Corps' armored reconnaissance vehicle program, set to be a new-start effort in fiscal year 2019.

Science Applications International Corp. has delivered 14 of 16 prototype Amphibious Combat Vehicles, the company's chief executive confirmed Thursday.

“We are completing production of the final two units,” Tony Moraco said during a call with analysts. “Testing of the ACV vehicles by the Marine Corps will continue through early summer of 2018, at which point they will make a production downselect contract decision.”

The Amphibious Combat Vehicle Increment 1.1 program could withstand a three-month continuing resolution, but if the measure lasts longer it may delay the program's operational assessment, according to a Marine Corps official.

The Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center plans to demonstrate a hard-kill modular active protection system in fiscal year 2018, according to a spokesman.

The Marine Corps has approved the survivability upgrade effort of its legacy amphibious vehicle to enter low-rate initial protection, according to an official.

The Army intends to hold a "rodeo" to assess the reliability of industry offerings to upgrade the M113 armored personnel carrier for echelons above brigade.

Army senior leaders are nearing a decision on whether to purchase an off-the-shelf active protection system for the Abrams tank, while APS work on the service’s other combat vehicles is slightly behind schedule.

Army Materiel Command is working to change its approach to contracting to ensure materiel readiness on the battlefield, according to its commanding general.