Army shifting S-MET work over to new acquisition shop

Army shifting S-MET work over to new acquisition shop
Army shifting S-MET work over to new acquisition shop

PEO CS&CSS is retaining a separate ground autonomy competition designed to field self-driving PLS trucks.

Bradley replacement, OMFV, will live or die by software

Bradley replacement, OMFV, will live or die by software
Bradley replacement, OMFV, will live or die by software

The Army may spin off a procurement track solely for software development — in parallel to physical production — in hopes of hastening the “cadence” of essential digital upgrades to OMFV, officials told Breaking Defense.

For next OMFV phase, new competitors could join contest to replace Bradley

For next OMFV phase, new competitors could join contest to replace Bradley
For next OMFV phase, new competitors could join contest to replace Bradley

The Army released the RFP for the next two phases of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle on July 1, which could see some new entrants from abroad.

Army Briefs Industry On Future Air & Ground Standards

Army Briefs Industry On Future Air & Ground Standards
Army Briefs Industry On Future Air & Ground Standards

“Modular open systems architecture… is the foundation of all our future modernization,” said Brig. Gen. Glenn Dean. The Bradley replacement, OMFV, will be the test case.

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.

Army Tries (Again) To Protect Stryker: Rafael or Rheinmetall?

Army Tries (Again) To Protect Stryker: Rafael or Rheinmetall?
Army Tries (Again) To Protect Stryker: Rafael or Rheinmetall?

Miniaturized missile defenses work well on heavy tanks, but efforts to fit such Active Protection Systems on light vehicles like Stryker have failed – so far. Now the Army will test two lightweight options: Rafael’s Trophy VPS and Rheinmetall’s ADS.

Should Army Compete With Industry On OMFV?

Should Army Compete With Industry On OMFV?
Should Army Compete With Industry On OMFV?

Industry sources say the Army shouldn’t enter its own in-house design team in the race to replace the M2 Bradley. Top Army officials told us why it would work.

Army Reassures Anxious Industry Over Stryker Cannon Competition

Army Reassures Anxious Industry Over Stryker Cannon Competition
Army Reassures Anxious Industry Over Stryker Cannon Competition

While at least two of six competitors have dropped out, the Army says it will still have plenty of 30mm turret options to choose from as it starts testing this fall.

Army Bradley Brigade Will Get Israeli Anti-Missile System: Iron Fist

Army Bradley Brigade Will Get Israeli Anti-Missile System: Iron Fist
Army Bradley Brigade Will Get Israeli Anti-Missile System: Iron Fist

WASHINGTON: Seeking to stop Russian-made anti-tank missiles, the US Army will buy Israel’s Iron Fist Active Protection System for a brigade of its M2 Bradley armored vehicles, Breaking Defense has learned. The decision comes after weeks of confusing statements by Army officials and months of delays fitting the high-tech active protection on a Cold War-vintage…

Army Rejects Iron Curtain APS For Stryker, Launches New Programs

Army Rejects Iron Curtain APS For Stryker, Launches New Programs
Army Rejects Iron Curtain APS For Stryker, Launches New Programs

By 2022, the service plans to field new advanced reactive armor tiles to neutralize incoming warheads, a laser early warning system to warn crews they’re being targeted, and a signature management effort to avoid detection in the first place.

Speedier Software Upgrades For Army Vehicles: Open Architecture

Speedier Software Upgrades For Army Vehicles: Open Architecture
Speedier Software Upgrades For Army Vehicles: Open Architecture

NATIONAL PRESS CLUB: The Army’s wheeled vehicle programs like Stryker and JLTV are leading it on the path to open architecture, a modular approach to designing software and electronics that makes them easier to upgrade. That’s particularly critical when, facing Russian GPS jamming, the Army is looking to improve Position, Navigation & Timing (PNT) on tens…

Upgunned Strykers Open Fire At Aberdeen – But Fielding Will Be Slow

Upgunned Strykers Open Fire At Aberdeen – But Fielding Will Be Slow
Upgunned Strykers Open Fire At Aberdeen – But Fielding Will Be Slow

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND: Two years after the Europe-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment requested more firepower to deter the Russians, 30 millimeter shells and Javelin missiles thundered downrange here at the Army’s oldest proving ground. Even standing at a safe distance, 20 yards from the closest of the two Stryker vehicles, I could feel the muzzle blast…

Future of Army Combat: McCain Wants Ambition, Army Offers Caution

Future of Army Combat: McCain Wants Ambition, Army Offers Caution
Future of Army Combat: McCain Wants Ambition, Army Offers Caution

  CAPITOL HILL: Sen. John McCain wants an ambitious plan for new ground vehicle designs and new kinds of combat units from the Army. So does the Heritage Foundation, which has provided much of the brain power for the Trump administration. But the Army isn’t on board: Burned by past program meltdowns like FCS and GCV.…

Tank Goodness, At Last: Army, BAE Roll Out AMPV To Replace 56-Year Old M113

Tank Goodness, At Last: Army, BAE Roll Out AMPV To Replace 56-Year Old M113
Tank Goodness, At Last: Army, BAE Roll Out AMPV To Replace 56-Year Old M113

The armored workhorse of the US Army, the M113 tracked carrier, first entered service in 1960. This morning, less than two years after signing a contract to replace the M113 in its roles as armored ambulance, mobile command post, and more, the Army and BAE Systems rolled out the first production-representative Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV).…