Army renames Mobile Protected Firepower ‘M10 Booker combat vehicle,’ says toxic fume issue fixed

Army renames Mobile Protected Firepower ‘M10 Booker combat vehicle,’ says toxic fume issue fixed
Army renames Mobile Protected Firepower ‘M10 Booker combat vehicle,’ says toxic fume issue fixed

“I’m happy to report that toxic fumes were one of our concerns at the production decision and we’ve been doing some engineering and testing, and I can confidently say today that that is an issue that is behind us,” an Army official said.

Army working to fix Mobile Protected Firepower toxic fume issue

Army working to fix Mobile Protected Firepower toxic fume issue
Army working to fix Mobile Protected Firepower toxic fume issue

The Pentagon’s chief weapons tester recently revealed that when soldiers fire the main gun, “high levels of toxic fumes” fill the vehicle.

General Dynamics wins $1.14 billion Mobile Protected Firepower contract

General Dynamics wins $1.14 billion Mobile Protected Firepower contract
General Dynamics wins $1.14 billion Mobile Protected Firepower contract

The Mobile Protected Firepower program, a light tank for infantry brigades, is one of the Army’s top modernization priorities and the service’s first new design vehicle in 40 years.

Army Outlines Ambitious Schedule For Robots, Armor

Army Outlines Ambitious Schedule For Robots, Armor
Army Outlines Ambitious Schedule For Robots, Armor

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.

COVID Delays Delivery Of BAE’s MPF Light Tank

COVID Delays Delivery Of BAE’s MPF Light Tank
COVID Delays Delivery Of BAE’s MPF Light Tank

General Dynamics has already delivered at least two of its Mobile Protected Firepower prototypes to Fort Bragg, but BAE is lagging behind – although it says its MPFs will make the Army’s Jan. 4 deadline to start testing.

MPF: Light Tank Competitors BAE & GD Head For Soldier Tests

MPF: Light Tank Competitors BAE & GD Head For Soldier Tests
MPF: Light Tank Competitors BAE & GD Head For Soldier Tests

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.

GAO Questions Army’s $62B Cost Estimates For Combat Vehicles

GAO Questions Army’s $62B Cost Estimates For Combat Vehicles
GAO Questions Army’s $62B Cost Estimates For Combat Vehicles

The Army estimated the OMFV troop carrier would cost $46 billion and the MPF light tank would cost $16 billion. The GAO has doubts.

SAIC’s Got No Regrets On Armored Vehicle Losses

SAIC’s Got No Regrets On Armored Vehicle Losses
SAIC’s Got No Regrets On Armored Vehicle Losses

SAIC not a traditional heavy-metal manufacturer and it shouldn’t be judged like one, CEO Tony Moraco and COO Nazzic Keene told me.

MPF Light Tank Profits Estimated ~$495M: Byron Callan

MPF Light Tank Profits Estimated ~$495M: Byron Callan
MPF Light Tank Profits Estimated ~$495M: Byron Callan

The Army’s said it wants 504 of the MPF light tanks. But analyst Byron Callan is betting that either the Marine Corps or foreign buyers (or both) add another 106, bringing the total to 610 machines.

Army Picks BAE, GD For MPF Light Tank Prototypes: Upstart SAIC Is Out

Army Picks BAE, GD For MPF Light Tank Prototypes: Upstart SAIC Is Out
Army Picks BAE, GD For MPF Light Tank Prototypes: Upstart SAIC Is Out

Yes, MPF is much lighter and less heavily armored than the M1 Abrams or even Russian tanks like the T-90. But MPF is going to light infantry units that currently have no armored vehicles at all, just a handful of Humvees, towed M777 howitzers, and whatever weapons the men can carry on their backs.

General Dynamics Griffin Takes Lead To Replace M2 Bradley: Analysis

General Dynamics Griffin Takes Lead To Replace M2 Bradley: Analysis
General Dynamics Griffin Takes Lead To Replace M2 Bradley: Analysis

BAE System’s CV90 Mark IV is the latest upgrade of a 25-year-old vehicle widely used in Europe; the Rheinmetall-Raytheon Lynx is an all-new design, although individual components have a good track record; but the General Dynamics Griffin III is in the middle, combining a new gun and new electronics with the time-tested chassis from the European ASCOD family.

2018 Forecast: Can The Army Reinvent Itself?

2018 Forecast: Can The Army Reinvent Itself?
2018 Forecast: Can The Army Reinvent Itself?

WASHINGTON: Over the next few weeks, US Army leaders will make major decisions about the Futures Command they’re standing up this summer. The new organization will be the biggest departure in how the Army buys weapons in 40 years. Important as it is, however, it’s also just one of many changes the Army must make…

Army Accelerates Armor: Stryker, Trophy, MPF Race To Field

Army Accelerates Armor: Stryker, Trophy, MPF Race To Field
Army Accelerates Armor: Stryker, Trophy, MPF Race To Field

UPDATED with expert comment AUSA: After 15 years of cancellations and delays, the US Army is pushing through some vital upgrades for its armored vehicles. Service leaders recently ordered sweeping reforms to speed up acquisition, but the Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems has already started accelerating. The upgunned Stryker, the Trophy anti-missile system, and,…

Heavy Competition For Light Tank: SAIC & Singapore Vs. BAE, GDLS

Heavy Competition For Light Tank: SAIC & Singapore Vs. BAE, GDLS
Heavy Competition For Light Tank: SAIC & Singapore Vs. BAE, GDLS

If the stars align for defense contractor SAIC, the US Army and Marine Corps will soon be buying hundreds of armored vehicles designed in Singapore. Yesterday, six months after joining forces for the first time on the Marines’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle competition – and just four days before the massive Association of the US Army…