The U.S. Army is currently engaged in a substantial modernization effort to align
itself with the changing dynamics of warfare. The emphasis is on preparing for extensive
conventional conflicts against formidable opponents such as China and Russia, signaling
a departure from the focus on counterinsurgency operations observed over the past two decades.
The modernization process seems to have been hastened by the War in Ukraine.
The war is also undoubtedly impacting the way the programs are being shaped
since many learning from it are being incorporated
In 2023, the Army introduced 24 new systems,
and similar advancements are anticipated in 2024. These endeavors underscore the Army's
dedication to maintaining a competitive edge in the swiftly evolving battlefield environment.
In this video, Defense Updates analyzes what are the 3 key new vehicles the US
Army will be getting ? Let’s get started.
The M2 Bradley is demonstrating exceptional utility in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,
highlighting the significance of infantry fighting vehicles in contemporary warfare.
But the Bradley, which has been in service for more than 40 years
will have to be replaced as it will be vulnerable in future conflicts.
XM30 Mechanized Infantry Fighting Vehicle will be taking its place.
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition,
Logistics, and Technology Douglas R. Bush said in June,
“The XM30 will replace the Bradley fighting vehicle, bringing new transformational
capabilities to the fight; these will include improvements to lethality, Soldier-vehicle
survivability, and upgradeability beyond the physical and economic limits of the Bradley,”
Concerning armaments, the XM30 is expected to feature a primary gun, a light machine gun,
and anti-tank missiles. The Army has requested prototypes with a 50mm main
gun mounted on a remote turret, along with anti-tank missiles. Essential specifications
include a crew of two and accommodation for six fully equipped infantrymen.
The XM30 will adopt a modular design,
enabling the Army to integrate emerging technologies as they become accessible.
Bush added, “The modular open system architecture of the XM30 will allow
new building technology to be added to the vehicle as that technology matures,
ensuring an overwhelming advantage in any potential adversary competition,”
In the previous year, the US Army selected American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General
Dynamics Land Systems as the finalists from a pool of five contenders. These two companies have been
awarded a $1.6 billion contract to deliver their prototypes by the conclusion of 2024. In terms
of operational deployment, the U.S. Army wants to have something before the end of the decade.
The is set to be an unmanned ground system, providing both
fire support and reconnaissance capabilities. It features a modular and lightweight design.
The US Army said last year. “The RCV-Light will deliver
increased situational awareness, lethality, and tactical options for Army formations in support
of multi-domain operations. Its operators will remotely control RCVs or task them to operate
semi-autonomously. Variants will serve as ‘scouts’ or ‘escorts’ for manned fighting vehicles,”
The development of the Robotic Combat Vehicle is ongoing. In September 2023,
the Army granted contracts to four companies for the design of a prototype by August
2024. The goal is to achieve operational capability before the decade concludes.
Apart from its combat systems, the Robotic Combat Vehicle will need robust electronic
warfare capabilities to ensure effective operation in a permissive electronic warfare environment.
The U.S. Army selected McQ, Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems,
and Oshkosh Defense to build Robotic Combat Vehicle prototypes
for a total of almost $25 million. The companies have until August 2024
to build the prototypes and deliver them to the Army for testing and evaluation.
The M10 Booker is an armored fighting vehicle under development by General Dynamics Land
Systems (GDLS) for the United States Army, developed from the GDLS Griffin II armored
fighting vehicle as the winner of its Mobile Protected Firepower (MRF) program in June 2022.
The initial contract is for 96 low-rate initial production (LRIP) vehicles.
The first vehicles were delivered to the Army in November to undergo
testing for planned fielding to the force in 2024.
The first unit equipped (FUE) with the M10 is planned for 2025.
The design of the M10 Booker is conventional with the driver and engine at the front and
the turret located at the rear of the hull. The turret accommodates a crew of three including
a commander, gunner, and loader. The turret architecture is based on the M1 Abrams tank
using the M1A2 Sep V3 fire control system and CITV (Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer).
With a maximum road speed of 65 km/h or 40 mph and a range of 305 km (190 miles),
it can operate for 24 hours off the ramp or upon reaching the drop zone. The vehicle is designed
to navigate diverse terrains, including steep hills, valleys, cities, and rivers.
The main armament of the M10 Booker MPF consists of one 105mm cannon based
on the American M35 and a 7.62mm machine gun mounted coaxially.
The 105mm cannon which is loaded manually can fire APDS (Armour-Piercing Discarding
Sabot) and HE (High Explosive) rounds with a maximum firing range of 1.8 km
or 1.1 miles for APDS and 4 km or 2.5 miles for HE. The APDS is a
type of spin-stabilized kinetic energy projectile for anti-armor warfare.
One 12.7mm heavy machine gun is mounted on the commander hatch. Two banks of four
smoke grenade launchers are mounted on each side at the front of the turret.