FORT HOOD, Texas - BAE Systems delivered two prototype Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the U.S. Army in April to support the military's Transformation in Contact 2.0 initiative. The company funded the $17 million development through internal research and development resources, constructing the prototypes on the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle chassis.
Since receiving the vehicles, known as the AMPV 30, the Army has subjected them to field evaluations and live-fire tests to assess their performance against modern tactical requirements. BAE Systems completed the design and manufacturing process in six months.
Both concept vehicles feature common top plates integrated with the Kongsberg Medium Caliber Turret. The remote turret system is already in production for the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle program. The AMPV 30 design supports more than 30 different turret systems due to its modular chassis and adaptable top plate structure.
The prototypes incorporate several defensive and communication technologies. These include counter-unmanned aircraft systems to address drone threats, a 360-degree situational awareness camera network for crew visibility, and a cross-platform target handoff system designed to synchronize target identification across multiple networked vehicles. With these two units, BAE Systems has built eight turreted AMPV prototypes over the past two years.
This development highlights the U.S. Army's shift toward rapid prototyping and commercial-style innovation to accelerate procurement timelines. By leveraging an established chassis to integrate anti-drone systems and remote turrets, defense contractors are attempting to adapt armored vehicles to electronic warfare and unmanned aerial threats observed in contemporary warfare.
