After decades fighting guerrillas and terrorists, France is refocusing on Russia and China with increased budgets, intensified training, stronger divisions, and new armored vehicles — much like the US. But the French approach is still very different.
GM Defense made delivery of its Infantry Squad Vehicle in just 120 days from contract award. Next up: intensive Army testing, with two trucks set aside for parachuting out of airplanes. The 82nd Airborne gets the first ISVs next year.
Government can’t stop to update systems, so modernization has to happen without interruptions.
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.
The Light Reconnaissance Vehicle, an off-road truck to scout ahead of airborne and light infantry units, could lead the Army’s move to electric motors. But electrifying heavy cargo trucks, let alone tanks, could take decades.
General Dynamics Land Systems can now order materials to start building the first 28 vehicles, worth a total of $230 million, in 2021.
Mounted on a pair of heavy trucks, the Terrestrial Layer System – Echelons Above Brigade (TLS-EAB) will do long-range jamming for high-level HQs – and fry the circuits of incoming enemy missiles as well.
Do more with less: streamline workflows, reduce duplication, invest upfront to save long-term.
The pair of unmanned scout vehicles had enough AI smarts aboard to navigate cross-country, identify “enemy” forces, and open fire – but a human still decides whether to shoot.
Instead of a single centralized Skynet trying to mastermind (or micromanage) operations, the Army is looking at a federation of more specialized, less ambitious AIs, each assisting humans in different ways.
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.
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.
Breaking Defense Europe will launch May 4 with Tim Martin and Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo as co-editors.
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.
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.
While Tesla won’t be building heavy tanks, the Army Futures & Concepts Center says moving lighter, wheeled vehicles from fossil fuel to electric drive could streamline supply lines – and save lives.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is currently built by Oshkosh but the Army is seeking alternative manufacturers, who will get the government-owned Technical Data Package required to build it. The Army’s also reviewing how many JLTVs it really needs, Secretary Ryan McCarthy says.