Throughout the International Armored Vehicles Conference, hosted by Defense iQ in January 2024 at London's Twickenham Stadium, the US Army revealed that it would undergo a broad cultural shift in the way its ground forces operate.
Ultimately, their plan hinges on “easing the burden on our soldiers” over the next several decades, as one spokesperson put it.
This will include greater digitalization and a shared systems architecture, both of which will enhance the long-term performance of land systems through development spiral improvements.
XM30 – last IFV build?
Following the announcement of the new XM30 automated infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) in June 2023, it was suggested that the Army focus on a modular approach to maintaining the system.
Of course, the need for rebuilding will not disappear completely, as maintenance, repair and renovation are inevitable. However, a modular approach provides a cost-saving iterative development process that integrates new capabilities.
The Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) program — called XM30 — outlines the Army's business plan.
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This future armored fighting vehicle is scheduled to replace the Bradley Armored Fighting Vehicle, which is now more than forty years old. It is used to transport infantry on the battlefield as well as provide support to dismounted forces.
At the time the XM30 was announced last year, Douglas R. Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology:
“Open modular system architecture [of] The XM30 will allow new technology to be added to the vehicle as that technology matures, ensuring an overwhelming advantage in any potential hostile competition.
In this sense, the new adaptable combat vehicle “needs to remain relevant,” the spokesman added.
Abrams – new and lasting
While the Army is phasing out Version 4 of the M1A2 System Improvement Package for the M1E3 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT), which will focus on capability improvements.
“The Abrams tank can no longer grow its capabilities without increasing weight, and we need to reduce its logistical footprint,” explained Major General Glenn Dean, program executive officer for Ground Combat Systems.
In this way, the Army will significantly reduce the weight of the tank and thus its sustainability through an open system architecture.
Meanwhile, the permanent SEPv3 variant will continue to play a role in the force structure as “the most sustainable version of the Abrams tank,” the spokesperson noted.
Foreign military sales customers began acquiring the interoperable main battle tank.
The US State Department approved Romania for 54 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams MBTs in November 2023, along with a range of combat vehicles, weapons and logistical support that mirrors the US digital plan.
Likewise, Poland acquired the M1A1 version for the 18th Mechanized Division, in addition to the M1A2 SEPv3 tanks already contracted in April 2022.
Convert formation into robot
One theme the Army talked about at IAV resonated memorably: that from the beginning it “did not want to trade blood for first contact.”
This soldier-centric view is thus giving way to a human-machine interface, where advanced robotic combat vehicles are tasked with engaging the enemy and obtaining crucial intelligence on the battlefield.
However, the unmanned approach to warfare has its risks. One preventive solution pointed out by one speaker was the Army's research and development into mine-resistant vehicles as well as a ground swarm solution – none of which have been implemented yet.
