The threat of Russian drones, helicopters, and attack jets drove the first fielding to a unit in Germany, but the 8×8 Stryker variant may well find its way to the Pacific as well.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Rather than wait for a much-delayed Air Force system, the Army’s plan is to deploy Generation 1 of its new receiver this year, starting with the 2nd Calvary Regiment, the 1st Armored Division, and the 1st Infantry Division.
By Theresa HitchensIsraeli manufacturer Rafael claims it’s worked with the Army to get the weight of the anti-missile system down below a ton – and it’ll still protect the lightly armored Stryker as effectively as the full-size system protects the massive M1 Abrams.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.The Army’s already installed off-the-shelf Israeli anti-missile systems on its M1 Abrams and tried similar tech on Bradley and Stryker. But what it really wants is a standardized yet customizable Modular Active Protection System (MAPS) it can install on a wide range of vehicles.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.The Army wants a wheeled howitzer that can keep up with its Stryker units, so the Israeli firm is shipping its 8×8 ATMOS gun to Yuma, where it’ll fire “hundreds of rounds.”
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Already fielded in Sweden — and mounted on a Volvo truck — BAE’s 155 mm Archer will compete in a US Army “shoot off” early next year.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.General Dynamics Land Systems can now order materials to start building the first 28 vehicles, worth a total of $230 million, in 2021.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.The Army has big ambitions for the Terrestrial Layer System, meant to detect, decrypt, and disrupt enemy communications. We spoke to the companies that actually have to build it.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.The Stryker-mounted TLS and drone-borne MFEW are the first two nodes in a networked arsenal of sensors and jammers to combat high-tech foes.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Contractors are already “bending metal” on components for both 50-kilowatt and 300-kW lasers, Army scientist Craig Robin said.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.After weeks of COVID delays, combat soldiers are now testing both the IBCS network and the IM-SHORAD vehicle at White Sands. The first live shots against flying targets are just weeks away.
By Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Defense Secretary Mark Esper portrayed the plan as a strategic shift. President Trump said, “we’re reducing the force because [Germany is] not paying their bills.” Criticism from both sides of the aisle was swift.
By Paul McLeary