A notional representation of the U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle. Photo: US Army

The Army has cancelled the request for proposal process for the Ground Combat Vehicle, delaying the program by about six months. Details about revised rules for a more affordable program are expected within 60 days. Despite the setback, the Army is still hopeful the GCV could be deployed by the year 2017. However, in the near term the service could lose part of the $934 million funding, part of the fiscal 2011 budget request set aside for the development of the GCV prototypes.

The decision followed a report by the Army and Office of Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (OSD/ATL), that evaluated the new vehicle and determined that the service should better prioritize its requirements to better define achievable goals on schedule. Critics in industry have claimed the requirements for the vehicle were set to be too vague as the Army was not in agreement on exactly what the vehicle’s should do. “The refined RfP will result in a vehicle that provides soldiers with critical armored protection in the modern combat environment.” The Army statement said. One of the main concerns about the GCV was that to provide such protection the vehicle weight could increase up to 70 tons.

The announcement comes as the Defense Department prepares for major budget cuts. The GCV program is considered vital for the Army, but since the definition and requirement were too vague from the beginning, the Army finds it difficult to justify committing to a long-term multi-billion dollar program only to replace the Bradley fighting vehicles. The proposed GCV meant much more than just a replacement, it is intended to be a bridge between current warfare and future, networked operations. While different from the cancelled Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) mainly for political reasons, GCV should be much better protected and survivable, and well equipped to operate in distributed operations, where small units, sometime individual vehicles are empowered to conduct decisive military operations. Modifying current vehicles to perform such missions was found to be too complex.

Three industry teams participated in the program; next month (September) the Army had planned to award contracts to at least two of the three teams, for the development of  demonstrator vehicles. These teams competing for these contracts were SAIC-led group with Boeing and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann; a BAE Systems – Northrop team, and a third group led by General Dynamics Land Systems partnered with MTU Detroit Diesel, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The development phase of the program is valued at $2.1 billion. The entire program could cost about $40 billion.

More on GCV in the following Defense-Update articles:

U.S. Army Defines Ground Combat Vehicles Priorities

U.S. Army Requests Proposals for a New Ground Combat Vehicle

Teaming for the Ground Combat Vehicle

Army Begins GCV Contractor Selection Process

A notional representation of the U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle. Photo: US Army

The Army has cancelled the request for proposal process for the Ground Combat Vehicle, delaying the program by about six months. Details about revised rules for a more affordable program are expected within 60 days. Despite the setback, the Army is still hopeful the GCV could be deployed by the year 2017. However, in the near term the service could lose part of the $934 million funding, part of the fiscal 2011 budget request set aside for the development of the GCV prototypes.

The decision followed a report by the Army and Office of Secretary of Defense, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (OSD/ATL), that evaluated the new vehicle and determined that the service should better prioritize its requirements to better define achievable goals on schedule. Critics in industry have claimed the requirements for the vehicle were set to be too vague as the Army was not in agreement on exactly what the vehicle’s should do. “The refined RfP will result in a vehicle that provides soldiers with critical armored protection in the modern combat environment.” The Army statement said. One of the main concerns about the GCV was that to provide such protection the vehicle weight could increase up to 70 tons.

The announcement comes as the Defense Department prepares for major budget cuts. The GCV program is considered vital for the Army, but since the definition and requirement were too vague from the beginning, the Army finds it difficult to justify committing to a long-term multi-billion dollar program only to replace the Bradley fighting vehicles. The proposed GCV meant much more than just a replacement, it is intended to be a bridge between current warfare and future, networked operations. While different from the cancelled Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) mainly for political reasons, GCV should be much better protected and survivable, and well equipped to operate in distributed operations, where small units, sometime individual vehicles are empowered to conduct decisive military operations. Modifying current vehicles to perform such missions was found to be too complex.

Three industry teams participated in the program; next month (September) the Army had planned to award contracts to at least two of the three teams, for the development of  demonstrator vehicles. These teams competing for these contracts were SAIC-led group with Boeing and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann; a BAE Systems – Northrop team, and a third group led by General Dynamics Land Systems partnered with MTU Detroit Diesel, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon. The development phase of the program is valued at $2.1 billion. The entire program could cost about $40 billion.

More on GCV in the following Defense-Update articles:

U.S. Army Defines Ground Combat Vehicles Priorities

U.S. Army Requests Proposals for a New Ground Combat Vehicle

Teaming for the Ground Combat Vehicle

Army Begins GCV Contractor Selection Process

The SAND-X T-ATV is build to cross the desert as fast and safe as possible and support the troops. SAND-X T-ATV pilots can cross the dunes in every directions and can follow the given navigation route or choose theirs own path without large detours. Hard reaching locations in the desert, so called black spots, are now easy, fast and safe accessible for land forces with this new generation of desert vehicles. Photos: Sand-X Motors

Originally introduced as a recreational vehicle for the Gulf emirate’s elite, the Swiss company Sand-X Motors has recently introduced the military version of the Sand-X Tracked All terrain Vehicle (T-ATV) designated ‘Desert Patroller’, tailored for security and military market, special operations and military applications.

Sand-X flys over a dune crest.

T-ATV is an ATV category developed as an offshoot from a snowmobile. It uses a hybrid wheel and traction system combining low-pressure tires supported the front end, and a continuous track in the back, providing the traction. this combination offers high stability and safety at all speeds, slope angles and terrain. Like a motorcycle or snowmobile the T-ATV is steered by handlebars. As the name implies, it is designed to handle a wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. With a single track providing traction, the Sand-X T-ATV does not need any ground clearance to overcome obstacles. On desert missions teams riding the Sand-X can cross the terrain to the target in a straight line, through dunes, rocks or other obstacles impeding mobility with other vehicles.

Traveling cross country at high speed enables security teams or special forces to save time, effectively chase fleeting targets and control larger areas with fewer forces. The vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds, and can reach a top speed of 185 km/h cross country. It can carry a payload up to 300 kg weight, is equipped with extra strong cooling system supporting operations in tropical/desert conditions.

The SAND-X T-ATV is build to cross the desert as fast and safe as possible and support the troops. SAND-X T-ATV pilots can cross the dunes in every directions and can follow the given navigation route or choose theirs own path without large detours. Hard reaching locations in the desert, so called black spots, are now easy, fast and safe accessible for land forces with this new generation of desert vehicles. Photos: Sand-X Motors

Originally introduced as a recreational vehicle for the Gulf emirate’s elite, the Swiss company Sand-X Motors has recently introduced the military version of the Sand-X Tracked All terrain Vehicle (T-ATV) designated ‘Desert Patroller’, tailored for security and military market, special operations and military applications.

Sand-X flys over a dune crest.

T-ATV is an ATV category developed as an offshoot from a snowmobile. It uses a hybrid wheel and traction system combining low-pressure tires supported the front end, and a continuous track in the back, providing the traction. this combination offers high stability and safety at all speeds, slope angles and terrain. Like a motorcycle or snowmobile the T-ATV is steered by handlebars. As the name implies, it is designed to handle a wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. With a single track providing traction, the Sand-X T-ATV does not need any ground clearance to overcome obstacles. On desert missions teams riding the Sand-X can cross the terrain to the target in a straight line, through dunes, rocks or other obstacles impeding mobility with other vehicles.

T-ATV is an ATV category developed as an offshoot from a snowmobile. It uses a hybrid wheel and traction system combining low-pressure tires supported the front end, and a continuous track in the back, providing the traction. this combination offers high stability and safety at all speeds, slope angles and terrain. Like a motorcycle or snowmobile the T-ATV is steered by handlebars. As the name implies, it is designed to handle a wider variety of terrain than most other vehicles. With a single track providing traction, the Sand-X T-ATV does not need any ground clearance to overcome obstacles. On desert missions teams riding the Sand-X can cross the terrain to the target in a straight line, through dunes, rocks or other obstacles impeding mobility with other vehicles.

The U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (REDCOM) have ordered 660 Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG) from three manufacturers for testing, toward massive fielding of new ENVGs in upcoming years. The awarded companies are ITT, L-3 Insight Technology and DRS Systems. The three contracts, each valued around US$250 million, cover the delivery of the 220 systems in the base year, (2010) and options for the delivery of production quantities in the years 2011-2013. The Army is expecting to field new and improved digital fused imaging goggles by 2014.

Sofar ITT has been producing the Army’s first generation AN/PSQ-20 ENVG under a sole source indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract worth about $560 million. This contract expires by the end of 2010. ITT has already provided over 2,400 ENVG systems with another 6,500 to be delivered on the current contract.

The development of the ENVG began in the year 2000. First models were fielded in 2008 with special operations units. By early 2009 the 10^th Mountain Division was the first regular Army unit to receive few hundred items . The recent follow-on contracts address an ENVG follow-on program, with ITT has addressed with an updated version of the current ENVG system, called ‘Spiral Enhanced Night Vision Goggle’ (SENVG). This new device is designed to meet high volume production rates and the critical performance requirements of the ground-based soldier.

The SENVG incorporates the 18 mm image intensifier tube and a display beam combiner assembly (DBCA) utilizing an OLED-XL microdisplay produced by eMagin. The SENVG utilizes several qualified ENVG subassemblies and is powered by three AA batteries, which reduces the logistics burden and gives the customer an estimated $130 million savings over the product’s life cycle. Through various system enhancements the SENVG has a digital upgrade capability that will allow the goggle to export fused imagery for transmission via battlefield networks.

Since the fielding of the ENVG PEO Soldier has been delivering ENVGs and in parallel, developing a lighter, more rugged digital system (ENVG-D), that will also support image transfer and display of images from other sensors and sights, Digital Video Recorders (DVR) and remote computing devices. The current systems are significantly more expensive and heavier, compared to the systems they are intended to replace – PVS-7 and PVS-14. The new ENVG (D) is expected to overcome these weaknesses and meet the Army’s objective weight and cost requirements.

Read more on the Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG) on Defense-Update.

The U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command (REDCOM) have ordered 660 Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG) from three manufacturers for testing, toward massive fielding of new ENVGs in upcoming years. The awarded companies are ITT, L-3 Insight Technology and DRS Systems. The three contracts, each valued around US$250 million, cover the delivery of the 220 systems in the base year, (2010) and options for the delivery of production quantities in the years 2011-2013. The Army is expecting to field new and improved digital fused imaging goggles by 2014.

Sofar ITT has been producing the Army’s first generation AN/PSQ-20 ENVG under a sole source indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract worth about $560 million. This contract expires by the end of 2010. ITT has already provided over 2,400 ENVG systems with another 6,500 to be delivered on the current contract.

The development of the ENVG began in the year 2000. First models were fielded in 2008 with special operations units. By early 2009 the 10th Mountain Division was the first regular Army unit to receive few hundred items. The recent follow-on contracts address an ENVG follow-on program, with ITT has addressed with an updated version of the current ENVG system, called ‘Spiral Enhanced Night Vision Goggle’ (SENVG). This new device is designed to meet high volume production rates and the critical performance requirements of the ground-based soldier.

ENVG (Enhanced Night Vision Goggle) Training

The SENVG incorporates the 18 mm image intensifier tube and a display beam combiner assembly (DBCA) utilizing an OLED-XL microdisplay produced by eMagin. The SENVG utilizes several qualified ENVG subassemblies and is powered by three AA batteries, which reduces the logistics burden and gives the customer an estimated $130 million savings over the product’s life cycle. Through various system enhancements the SENVG has a digital upgrade capability that will allow the goggle to export fused imagery for transmission via battlefield networks.

Since the fielding of the ENVG PEO Soldier has been delivering ENVGs and in parallel, developing a lighter, more rugged digital system (ENVG-D), that will also support image transfer and display of images from other sensors and sights, Digital Video Recorders (DVR) and remote computing devices. The current systems are significantly more expensive and heavier, compared to the systems they are intended to replace – PVS-7 and PVS-14. The new ENVG (D) is expected to overcome these weaknesses and meet the Army’s objective weight and cost requirements.

Read more on the Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG) on Defense-Update.

Fully equipped LAV C2. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has delivered the first two of 52 upgraded Command and Control variants of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) to the U.S. Marine Corps. The remaining 50 vehicles are to be delivered over the next two years. The vehicle provides a mobile command center providing advanced communication capabilities to Marines in the field.

The LAV-C2 upgrades include integration of communications equipment such as the Multi-Band Multi Mission Radio System and the Enhanced Position Radio System, as well as improved automated workstations and command systems. The new equipment offers the Marines universally interchangeable workstations, an expanded workspace, improved transportability, upgraded radio systems and consolidated antennas. The platforms are provided to by the U.S. Marine Corps with Lockheed Martin installing and integrating the communications suite, automated workstations and command systems.

Lockheed Martin was awarded the system integration part of the program in 2006. The follow-on production contract was awarded in December 2009. The total cost of the program is around $30 million.

Fully equipped LAV C2. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has delivered the first two of 52 upgraded Command and Control variants of the Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) to the U.S. Marine Corps. The remaining 50 vehicles are to be delivered over the next two years. The vehicle provides a mobile command center providing advanced communication capabilities to Marines in the field.

The LAV-C2 upgrades include integration of communications equipment such as the Multi-Band Multi Mission Radio System and the Enhanced Position Radio System, as well as improved automated workstations and command systems. The new equipment offers the Marines universally interchangeable workstations, an expanded workspace, improved transportability, upgraded radio systems and consolidated antennas. The platforms are provided to by the U.S. Marine Corps with Lockheed Martin installing and integrating the communications suite, automated workstations and command systems.

Lockheed Martin was awarded the system integration part of the program in 2006. The follow-on production contract was awarded in December 2009. The total cost of the program is around $30 million.

The Swedish FMV provided this photo representing the AMV. This armored personnel vehicle configuration features external storage on the vehicle's sides, and a Protector remote weapon station. Photo: Patria

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has selected the Finnish Armored Modular Vehicles (AMV)  personnel carrier for its future APC, and awarded Patria Land & Armament Oy a contract worth approximately $336 million (SEK 2.5 billion) for the acquisition of 113  AMVs. Five vehicle manufacturers have competed for this contract.

Brig. General Anders Carell, Head of procurement offices LAND, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Seppo Seppälä, President, Land & Armament at Patria sign the contract for the delivery of 113 AMVs for the Swedish Army. August 13, 2010. Photo: FMV

Patria has committed to an offset agreement covering 100% of the program’s cost. Among the Swedish subcontractors are providing protection, automotive, suspension, propulsion and electronic systems for the AMV include Scania, SSAB providing steel parts for the armor and Akers Krutbruk providing the protection suite.

The vehicles will be produced in Finland. First deliveries will be made in late 2013 and the vehicles will become operational with the Swedish Army in 2014. By that time the new AMV will replace tracked vehicles currently in service, including the Swedish produced PBV302, and  Hägglunds BV206(S) and Russian origin MT-LB, as well as several wheeled 6×6 APC variants of the Patria PASI Series. Eventually the FMV could buy up to 150 AMVs, as the former models are fully retired.

AMV has been in production since 2004. Over 1,500 AMVs have been delivered or are on order. AMVs are currently in service with the Finnish and Polish armies which is operating them in Afghanistan. Croatia will become the third operator as vehicles are 124 AMVs are delivered in 2012. The vehicle has also been selected by Slovenia and South Africa and is under evaluation by the UAE.

The Swedish FMV provided this photo representing the AMV. This armored personnel vehicle configuration features external storage on the vehicle's sides, and a Protector remote weapon station. Photo: Patria

Brig. General Anders Carell, Head of procurement offices LAND, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Seppo Seppälä, President, Land & Armament at Patria sign the contract for the delivery of 113 AMVs for the Swedish Army. August 13, 2010. Photo: FMV

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has selected the Finnish Armored Modular Vehicles (AMV)  personnel carrier for its future APC, and awarded Patria Land & Armament Oy a contract worth approximately $336 million (SEK 2.5 billion) for the acquisition of 113  AMVs. Five vehicle manufacturers have competed for this contract.

Patria has committed to an offset agreement covering 100% of the program’s cost. Among the Swedish subcontractors are providing protection, automotive, suspension, propulsion and electronic systems for the AMV include Scania, SSAB providing steel parts for the armor and Akers Krutbruk providing the protection suite.

The vehicles will be produced in Finland. First deliveries will be made in late 2013 and the vehicles will become operational with the Swedish Army in 2014. By that time the new AMV will replace tracked vehicles currently in service, including the Swedish produced PBV302, and  Hägglunds BV206(S) and Russian origin MT-LB, as well as several wheeled 6×6 APC variants of the Patria PASI Series. Eventually the FMV could buy up to 150 AMVs, as the former models are fully retired.

AMV has been in production since 2004. Over 1,500 AMVs have been delivered or are on order. AMVs are currently in service with the Finnish and Polish armies which is operating them in Afghanistan. Croatia will become the third operator as vehicles are 124 AMVs are delivered in 2012. The vehicle has also been selected by Slovenia and South Africa and is under evaluation by the UAE.