General Dynamics Land Systems has unveiled its platform for the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) programme; this platform of GDLS will compete with the one from BAE Systems to win the contract for the US Army. The Mobile Protected Firepower programme aims for a light tank for the US Armed Forces to provide adequate protection and firepower along with excellent mobility bridging the gap between the heavy Main Battle Tanks and the future Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).
It is to provide the Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) with 'a protected platform capable of delivering overwhelming precision firepower combined with the ability to move rapidly in a variety of terrain conditions.' Currently IBCT lacks such a platform which can provide the necessary firepower along with adequate protection to engage hardened enemy bunkers, light armoured vehicles, dismounted personnel in machine gun and sniper positions.
The MPF programme aims the light tank to be as light as 30T and is one of the five next generation combat vehicles being developed by Army Futures Command. It is a new four star command which will focus on managing the force against rapidly developing and evolving high end threats and thus focusing on a vehicle which can provide mobility, lethality and survivability against high intensity threats in multi domain operations.
There were three major competitors for the contract: BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and SAIC. However SAIC was removed and GDLS and BAE Systems were selected for the programme. According to reports, $375.9 million was awarded to BAE Systems and $335 million to GDLS; they are to build 12 prototypes each with delivery starting in 14 months and testing in 16 months reported. Initially per year 55 vehicles will be procured aiming a total procurement of 550 units. The targeted fielding for the First Unit Equipped is Fiscal Year 2025.
The offer from BAE Systems is the result of more than 30 years of research and development for an optimised, rapidly deployable, light combat vehicle designed specifically to support light infantry. It showcased the technology demonstrator of the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle or 'light tank', equipped with the Iron Fist active protection systems (developed by IMI of Israel) at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Global Force Symposium in Huntsville in 2019. In 2018 it was provided with a contract worth up to $376 million for the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase of the programme and rapid prototyping effort with low rate initial production options.
Its contender is based on M8 light tank which was originally offered in late 90s to replace M551. The system is equipped with XM35A electro-thermal chemical gun (105 mm) based on the M35 gun. It can fire advanced multi-purpose (AMP) which when fired from ETC gun can achieve a velocity higher than a round can get from current 120 mm main gun. It is equipped with an auto loader which allows it to fire an excellent rate of 12 rounds per minute!
The innovative roll out power pack design allows for easy access to the engine and transmission without the aid of heavy equipment. BAE Systems stated, "It also integrates scalable armour and innovative survivability subsystems to protect the vehicle and crew from threats on the future battlefield. The vehicle employs situational awareness systems adding to the highest levels of survivability and crew protection. The compact design allows for multiple vehicle deployment on a C-17 and exceeds the Army's transport requirement and it is sustainable within the IBCT."
The second contender was Science Applications International Corp, with ST Kinetics of Singapore and CMI Defence from Belgium. CMI Defence's Cockerill Series 3105 turret is placed on Next Generation Armored Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) chassis. It is powered by 710 hp MTU 8V-199 TE20 diesel coupled to a Kinetics Drive Solution (KDS) HMX3000, which provides a power-to-weight ratio of 24.5 hp/tone. The vehicle is reported can achieve a maximum stated speed of 70 kmph and an operating range of 500 km. The turret can be equipped with a wide range of armament including high pressure gun. The gun can be employed using a common high performance, digital, fully stabilised, day/night weapon control system. The turret weight is kept low through the use of a bustle mounted autoloader. However, soon it was out of the competition.
In 2018, the US Army awarded a $335 million Section 804 Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototyping contract to General Dynamics Land Systems to deliver 12 prototype vehicles for the Mobile Protected Firepower programme. GDLS aims for a medium weight, large caliber, high mobile platform. The contract has Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) options for a total of up to $968 million. GDLS will provide 12 pre-production vehicles and two ballistic hulls and turrets scheduled for March-September 2020.
GDLS unveiled their platform recently and it seems a modified Abrams turret with 105 mm gun based on an AJAX chasis. According to reports, 'the turret architecture showcased uses a M1A2 Sep V3 fire control system and Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV) married to a 105 mm cannon and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.'
Many in the US Army believe, a trained crew can load faster than even auto loader and the fast is the loading the higher is the rate of fire. A higher rate of fire can give huge advantages in battlefield over advisories, but auto loading helps battling fatigue which is obvious due to pro longed operations.
There are many countries developing a light tank to bridge the gap between their IFVs and MBTs. Turkey (FNSS) and Indonesia's (PT Pindad) joint production Modern Medium Weight Tank (MMWT) or China's Type-15 and VT-5 are some of the latest in the game. Russia has the Sprut-SD light tank which is as light as 18 tonnes yet can deliver punch of a MBT. In such a scenario the US does not want to lag behind in the game.
Article by: Sankalan Chattopadhyay (twitter@vinoddx9)
GDLS’ offer
The GDLS offer
Offer from SAIC
Offer from BAE Systems
Article by: Sankalan
Chattopadhyay (twitter@vinoddx9)