The XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV), formerly known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), is a U.S. Army program to replace the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. MICV is one part of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle portfolio of programs.
After the cancellation of the Ground Combat Vehicle in February 2014, the Army's M2 Bradley replacement effort was restarted under the Future Fighting Vehicle (FFV) program. The Army had US$50 million unspent from the GCV program to re-appropriate to the FFV. FFV was a research and development program to develop notional plans for IFVs. A decision on whether to pursue additional development beyond blueprints wasn't expected to come until 2016, according to Brig. Gen David Bassett, commander of PEO Ground Combat Systems.[1]
In June 2023, the Army down selected American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General Dynamics Land Systems to go forward in the competition.
Original competition
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In August 2014 General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and BAE Systems Land and Armaments were awarded $7.9 million each to develop technologies from the Ground Combat Vehicle program for the Future Fighting Vehicle.[2] In May 2015, General Dynamics and BAE were awarded a further $28 million.[3] Citing budget constraints, in August 2015, the Army delayed the FFV's acquisition decision from FY2021 to FY2029. The Army said it was choosing to instead work on short-term capability gaps.[4]
In November 2016, Army officials said they were standing up a Next Generation Combat Vehicle program to field a family of combat vehicles by 2035. Officials said this strategy was not necessarily going to be centered around an infantry fighting vehicle, but would likely be a family of vehicles that could potentially replace the M1 Abrams, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Mobile Protected Firepower and even the Stryker. Army officials conceded that the program was as yet unfunded.[5]
In June 2018, the Army established the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program to replace the M2 Bradley. In October 2018, the program was re-designated as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV). The NGCV program was expanded as a portfolio of next-generation vehicles including tanks and the Bradley-based Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle.[6] In March 2019 the Army issued a request for proposals.
By January 2020, the pool of competitors had narrowed down a variant of the Lynx KF41 developed as a joint venture between Raytheon and Rheinmetall, and the Griffin III developed by GDLS. The Raytheon-Rheinmetall prototype was disqualified after failing to meet a deadline to ship the prototype to Aberdeen Proving Ground by the required date.[7] The sole remaining competitor, GDLS, was also disqualified because its prototype was too heavy to meet requirements that two fit in a single C-17.[8]
The aggressive pace and stringent objectives of the program were seen as unrealistic by potential competitors. The program placed much of the cost burden of development on private contractors, causing many major contractors to forego participation. Acknowledging this, in February 2020, the Army announced it would restart the program with more responsibility for funding being taken on by the service.[9]
Rebooted program
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In July 2021, the Army awarded contracts to five teams: Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, GDLS and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. The total value of the contracts was $299.4 million. Teams will develop concept designs during the 15-month long phase. All entries had to meet three general criteria: a tracked vehicle with a hybrid-electric drive; an unmanned turret housing a 50 mm autocannon, or a 30 mm turret with the ability to upgrade to the larger caliber; and a reduced crew of two with space to carry six infantrymen. The Army planned to pick three teams, reduced to two teams upon contract award, to move on to building prototypes by mid-2023.[10][11][12]
In June 2023, the Army downselected American Rheinmetall and GDLS to go forward in the competition. These two teams are to move onto the next phase of the program and split a $1.6 billion development fund for each to develop seven prototypes with an option for four more. They will also develop two ballistic hulls, turrets, armor coupons, and digital model twins during this phase of the program. The Army also announced due to the initial design stage of the OMFV being complete that they would be redesignating the program as the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle.[13]
See also
edit- Armored Systems Modernization, 1980s–1990s U.S. Army family of combat vehicles concept
- Ground Combat Vehicle, a U.S. Army infantry fighting vehicle acquisition program canceled in 2014
- M1296 Dragoon, an infantry carrier vehicle of the Stryker family
- Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, a U.S. Army acquisition program to replace the M113 APC
References
edit- ^ Gould, Joe (15 October 2014). "Army explores its armored vehicle options". Army Times. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Roosevelt, Ann (19 August 2014). "General Dynamics, BAE Systems Win Study Contracts For Future Fighting Vehicle". Defense Daily. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Gould, Joe (2 June 2015). "US Army Awards Contracts for FFV Designs". Defense News. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, Ellen (31 August 2015). "Army Delays Future Fighting Vehicle To FY-29". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Judson, Jen (3 November 2016). "What is the Next-Gen Combat Vehicle?". Defense News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ Tressel, Ashley (12 October 2018). "MPF, AMPV now part of NGCV family of vehicles". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (16 January 2020). "Failing Fast: Army Reboots Bradley Replacement, OMFV". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (23 January 2020). "Did Army Ask For 'Unobtainium'?". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 18 May 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Tressel, Ashley (7 February 2020). "Army reopens competition for Bradley replacement". Inside Defense. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ Judson, Jen (23 July 2021). "US Army chooses competitors to design infantry fighting vehicle replacement". Defense News. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
- ^ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (3 November 2022). "OMFV race revs up: All 5 competitors bid to build Bradley replacement prototypes". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023.
- ^ Freedberg Jr, Sydney J. (30 November 2022). "A real-life Lego tank: BAE touts modular design for Army OMFV". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023.
- ^ Roque, Ashley (26 June 2023). "OMFV finalists: Rheinmetall, GDLS again square off for Bradley replacement competition". Breaking Defense. Archived from the original on 21 December 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.