ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND / MUNICH (IT BOLTWISE) – The US Army is about to take a decisive step in the modernization of its ground combat vehicles. A provider for the development of the robotic combat vehicles is to be selected next spring.
The U.S. Army plans to select a vendor from four competing companies next spring to develop the base platform for its robotic combat vehicle. This decision marks a significant step forward in the modernization of the Army’s ground combat vehicles. A year ago, McQ, Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and Oshkosh Defense were selected to design and build prototypes for the system.
The Army’s original goal was to develop three robotic combat vehicles of different sizes. However, this strategy has been changed in favor of a unified model that can keep pace with manned combat vehicles. This vehicle is intended to be equipped with various mission payloads to accomplish specific tasks on the battlefield.
In August, all four providers each delivered two prototypes, which are now being tested at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. According to Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, ground combat systems program manager, the Army is on track to select one of those four vendors in March to deliver the base platform.
The selected provider will deliver eight prototypes for the next phase. These prototypes will need to meet additional requirements that will be added in the second round of prototypes. Although Dean prefers to keep as many vendors as possible in the development phase, financial constraints are a key factor.
The Army has designated the Armored Multipurpose Vehicle (AMPV) as the control vehicle for the robots. This decision is based on the control vehicle having to keep up with the first unit to receive the robots. This unit will be a platoon in an armored brigade combat team.
But developing off-road autonomy software is challenging. A review in June showed the industry isn’t as far along as many believe. The Army plans to conduct another assessment in December to advance software development.
Overall, a large training event in the summer showed that robots offer advantages, particularly in the areas of education and security. Still, the Army continues to address the challenges of power, range and remote decision-making.
US Army plans to select robotic combat vehicle vendor next spring (Photo: DALL-E, IT BOLTWISE)
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