The U.S. Army announced today the award of two firm-fixed price contracts for the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle Phase III and IV Detailed Design and Prototype Build and Testing phases, using full and open competitive procedures. The contracts were awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems Inc. (Sterling Heights, Michigan) and American Rheinmetall Vehicles LLC (Sterling Heights, Michigan). The total award value for both contracts is approximately $1.6 billion. With the initial digital design phase of the program now complete, the Army is redesignating the OMFV program as the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle. The XM30, which will replace Bradley Fighting Vehicles, will bring new capabilities that will transform the way our formations fight in the future. Developed with a modular open system architecture, the XM30 will allow new, developing technology to be added to the vehicle as that technology matures, ensuring overmatch against any future adversary. Bush emphasized how the XM30 program opened the door for industry partners that are not traditional U.S. combat vehicle prime contractors, allowing for increased competition and innovation in the program.
“The XM30 program has been highly successful. The Army’s iterative concepting and digital design approach, combined with increased emphasis on competition, continues to allow the program to quickly design a transformational capability for the Army of 2030 and beyond. These same vendors will then compete, based on demonstrated platform performance, in a limited competition for XM30 low-rate initial production,” said Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the Army’s Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems.
“Modernization is a central element of Army transformation, which provides capability and lethality for our Soldiers. The nature of our adversaries’ actions and intent, amid rapid and disruptive technological change, demands that the Army continue to transform. Milestones like today’s announcement for XM30 demonstrate we are on a sustainable path to equip today’s Soldiers with modern equipment while we invest in the technologies and systems necessary to build the Army of 2030,” said Gen. James Rainey, commanding general of Army Futures Command.
In July 2021, the Army awarded contracts to five teams: Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. The total value of the contract was 9.4 million. Teams will develop concept designs during the 15-month long phase. All entries had to meet three general criteria: a tracked vehicle with a hybrid-electric drive; an unmanned turret housing a 50 mm autocannon, or a 30 mm turret with the ability to upgrade to the larger caliber; and a reduced crew of two with space to carry six infantrymen. June 26 2023, although previously stating they would narrow it down to three entries the Army instead selected only two, with those being American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems. These two teams will now move on to the next phase of the programme and split a $1.6 billion development fund to develop a total of 11 protytpes each, 7 being for a contract award with an option for 4 more. They will also develop 2 ballistic hulls, turrets, armor coupons, and digital model twins during this phase of the programme. The pool of competitors had narrowed down a variant of the Lynx KF41 developed as a joint venture between Raytheon and Rheinmetall, and the Griffin III developed by General Dynamics Land Systems.
The XM30 combines transformative improvements in lethality, vehicle and Soldier survivability, and upgradability that are beyond the physical and economic limits of the Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The XM30 will deliver improved capabilities through the use of 21st century technologies that will be developed using a digital acquisition environment. During the next two phases of the program, the Army will conduct activities to mature XM30 designs and will verify prototype performance during test activities, including a limited user test. The awardees will be required to deliver up to 11 prototype vehicles, as well as two ballistic hulls and turrets, armor coupons and digital engineering data. Following the detailed design and prototype build and testing phases, the Army intends to have a limited competition to downselect to one vendor at Milestone C near the end of fiscal year 2027, with first unit equipped anticipated in fiscal year 2029. The Army continues to drive a process that will bring today’s most advanced technology into the XM30 and, through the use of digital engineering and a modular open system architecture, the XM30 team will be able to rapidly integrate future technologies.
