NEWTOWN, Conn. - The U.S Army is preparing to launch a development and procurement competition for a new series of light vehicles intended to enhance the service's operational flexibility and mechanized airborne capabilities.
According to press sources, the Army is seeking the development of three new vehicles within the wider program framework: the mobile protected firepower (MPF), ultra-lightweight combat vehicle (ULCV), and light-reconnaissance vehicle (LRV). The ULCV and LRV vehicles would serve as long-term, modular replacements for much of the Airborne's aging inventories of HMMWVs.
All three new vehicles are to be capable of airborne deployment from a C-130 or C-17 transport, and the latter two vehicles will be integrated with sling-loading systems for underbelly rotorcraft transport.
The three vehicles would be deployed in tandem during offensive airborne operations, forming airborne infantry brigade combat teams (IBCT) to secure landing zones and key ground objectives in order to clear the way for the arrival of additional U.S or allied forces.
The ULCV forms the cornerstone of the new series and is intended as the primary mode of transport for airborne IBCTs. Lightly armed and armored, the vehicle's design emphasizes rugged simplicity in order to provide both rapid field mobility and an extensive operational range. Reports indicate that the ULCV has an operational range of approximately 250 to 300 miles on a full tank. The vehicle is intended to reach initial operational capability in fiscal 2016.
The LRV, still in its early design stages, will be the eyes and ears of the IBCT. Equipped with advanced communications and surveillance systems and integrated as a support platform for light UAVs, scouting units operating the LRV would be responsible for providing up to date intelligence to the rest of the IBCT and up the chain-of-command. The LRV is expected to reach initial operational capability in fiscal 2020.
The MPF is intended to operate as a light, offensive armored platform capable of engaging hard defensive targets, enemy armored vehicles and providing heavy-fire support and cover to supporting infantrymen and ULCV and LRV vehicles. Operational testing of the MPF is intended to begin in fiscal 2015.
Prominent defense contractors from the U.S Army's Special Operations Command (SOCOM) light vehicle requirement competition such as General Dynamics, Oshkosh and Navistar are expected to participate in the coming bid for the new vehicle series.
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