US Army Picks BAE Systems, General Dynamics to Build Light Tank Prototypes
Two Israeli companies could benefit from the Mobile Protected Firepower program: Elbit Systems with the Iron Fist active protection system for BAE’s vehicle and Rafael with its Trophy APS for GD
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 19/12/2018
BAE’s prototype MPF light tank (Photo: BAE Systems)
The US Army has selected two traditional armored vehicle manufacturers, General Dynamics and BAE Systems, to build contending prototypes for its Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) light tank.
The Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle is a 30-ton light tank with a 105mm gun that would be used to accompany airborne troops and other light infantry.
Each company will receive up to $376 million to build 12 prototypes, with delivery starting in 14 months and testing in 16. In 2022, the Army will pick a final winner to build a planned 504 vehicles. Cut from the competition was SAIC and its Singaporean partner STK.
A Mobile Protected Firepower win would be particularly important for General Dynamics, as the company is pushing a variant of its MPF offering, the Griffin, for a much larger Army competition – the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), meant to replace thousands of M2 Bradleys. Buying variants of the same vehicle for both missions would simplify Army training and logistics. BAE, manufacturer of the Bradley, is also positioning itself for the Bradley replacement with the European CV90.
It should be noted that two Israeli companies could benefit from the project: Elbit Systems with the Iron Fist active protection system for BAE’s vehicle and Rafael with its Trophy APS for GD.
[Source: Breaking Defense]
Two Israeli companies could benefit from the Mobile Protected Firepower program: Elbit Systems with the Iron Fist active protection system for BAE’s vehicle and Rafael with its Trophy APS for GD
BAE’s prototype MPF light tank (Photo: BAE Systems)
The US Army has selected two traditional armored vehicle manufacturers, General Dynamics and BAE Systems, to build contending prototypes for its Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) light tank.
The Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle is a 30-ton light tank with a 105mm gun that would be used to accompany airborne troops and other light infantry.
Each company will receive up to $376 million to build 12 prototypes, with delivery starting in 14 months and testing in 16. In 2022, the Army will pick a final winner to build a planned 504 vehicles. Cut from the competition was SAIC and its Singaporean partner STK.
A Mobile Protected Firepower win would be particularly important for General Dynamics, as the company is pushing a variant of its MPF offering, the Griffin, for a much larger Army competition – the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), meant to replace thousands of M2 Bradleys. Buying variants of the same vehicle for both missions would simplify Army training and logistics. BAE, manufacturer of the Bradley, is also positioning itself for the Bradley replacement with the European CV90.
It should be noted that two Israeli companies could benefit from the project: Elbit Systems with the Iron Fist active protection system for BAE’s vehicle and Rafael with its Trophy APS for GD.
[Source: Breaking Defense]
