Next generation combat vehicle

The Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) is a US Army program intended to procure a variety of armored vehicles to add new capabilities to Army units and replace existing platforms that are nearing the end of their service life. The program covers the following systems[1]:

  • Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), the replacement for the M2 Bradley IFV.
  • Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), the replacement for the M113.
  • Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), a light tank for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs).
  • Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), three unmanned ground vehicles in light, medium, and heavy configurations.
  • Decisive Lethality Platform (DLP), the replacement for the M1 Abrams main battle tank.

Development

The project began in 2017 after the previous Ground Combat Vehicle program was canceled. The deadline of the projects is expected to be 2035. Multiple groups competed for the bid. The Army gave the contract to a group composed of seven companies Lockheed Martin, SAIC, GS Engineering, Inc., Moog Inc., Hodges Transportation Inc. and Roush Industries, Ostrowski.[2][3]

Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV)

It was announced in March 2018 that the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle team had selected the Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle as a prototype to replace the M2 Bradley. The Army said OMFV will be designed “to engage in close combat and deliver decisive lethality during the execution of combined arms maneuver,” and will have a 30mm canon and a second generation forward looking infrared system, or FLIR. Testing of the vehicle is expected to begin in 2020.[4]

In December 2019 it was reported that the government plans to fund 100 million dollars for next generation combat vehicle.[5]

By January 2020, the pool of competitors had narrowed down to a prototype of the Lynx KF41 developed as a joint venture between Raytheon and Rheinmetall, and the Griffin III developed by General Dynamics Land Systems. The Raytheon-Rheinmetall prototype was disqualified after failing to meet a deadline to ship the prototype to Aberdeen Proving Ground by the required date, leaving General Dynamics as the sole remaining competitor. As a result, the Army decided to restart the program with less-stringent guidelines.[6]

See also

References
  1. Feickert, Andrew. "The Army's Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  2. Judson, Jen (2017-10-10). "Next-Gen Combat Vehicle prototyping kicks off". Defense News. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  3. "Army looking for Optionally-Manned Fighting Vehicle". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  4. Judson, Jen (2019-04-01). "Army drops request for proposals to build next-gen combat vehicle prototypes". Defense News. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  5. Judson, Jen (2019-12-23). "Congress injects millions of dollars to advance next-gen combat vehicle technology". Defense News. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  6. Freedberg, Sydney. "Failing Fast: Army Reboots Bradley Replacement, OMFV". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
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