The Army Chief of Staff defended the service’s ambitious modernization program, particularly new armored vehicles and long-range missiles.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Modernizing military simulation with open systems architecture
Best-of-breed common models and architecture enable virtual training and testing with the same data in a cyber-resilient posture.
Adding robot scouts and replacing vintage vehicles – the M113, the M2 Bradley, and potentially even the M1 Abrams – will make heavy brigades much more mobile, lethal, and aware of threats, Maj. Gen. Richard Ross Coffman says.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Army is testing the MPF light tank; evaluating concepts for the OMFV troop carrier; preparing for major tests of high-tech Robotic Combat Vehicles and workhorse Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles in 2022; and will test a full battalion of 18 ERCA howitzers in 2023.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
“China’s proven it will not self-limit in competition, so we cannot expect them to self-limit in conflict,” said Maj. Gen. Richard Ross Coffman, who heads armored vehicle modernization at Army Futures Command. “We’ve got to be able to fight no matter where we are.”
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
With shrinking budgets and a growing need for new technologies, “the Army will need to make a compelling case to Congress to fund new capabilities and truncate legacy programs,” said CSBA’s Tom Mahnken.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
Want to make a mini-tank that carries two passengers in back? Or put the heavy weapons on one vehicle and the passengers in another? Go for it, the Army’s armor modernization director told industry.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Army will give companies more time to refine their designs for the Bradley replacement, but there’s a four-month gap in funding in fiscal 2023.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
Modernizing our supply chain is a national security imperative
Closing supply chain gaps in innovating technology will reposition the industrial base to be a strategic source of value.
The cutting-edge IVAS targeting goggles took a $230 million hit, while the latest upgrade to the venerable CH-47 Chinook – which the Army doesn’t actually want – got a $165 million boost.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Army has outlined draft objectives for a range of Robotic Combat Vehicles, from an expendable light scout armed with a single anti-tank missile to a 30-ton unmanned tank as tough as the 70-ton M1 Abrams.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
BAE Systems’ York, Penn. plant has overcome COVID and quality-control problems to get the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle and the Paladin howitzer back on track, Army officials told Breaking Defense.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
The Army’s new priorities — emphasizing heavy armor and robotics — and Rheinmetall’s successes overseas combine to give the KF41 Lynx a fighting chance to be the new Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
These companies teamed up for the Army’s first, stillborn attempt to build a new armored troop carrier in 2019. This time they’re offering “a new variant.”
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
BAE and General Dynamics are vying to build 504 Mobile Protected Firepower vehicles to support light infantry units, especially in places the massive M1 Abrams cannot go.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
Industry and Congress were deeply skeptical of the Army’s suggestion to enter a government design team in the OMFV competition. Now the Army has backed off.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
