Jump to content

GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AirplanePro (talk | contribs) at 05:31, 4 August 2010 (Added {{lead too short}} tag to article using Friendly). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle
Artist's impression of the GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle
TypeInfantry Fighting Vehicle
Place of origin United States
Production history
DesignerU.S. Army and industry
Specifications
Mass50-70 tons[1]
Crew3 + 9 passengers
Secondary
armament
Non-lethal weapon system

The Ground Combat Vehicle Infantry Fighting Vehicle is a fourth-generation combat vehicle being developed for the U.S. Army. It is the lead vehicle of the U.S. Army's BCT Ground Combat Vehicle Program, designed to replace existing armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles in U.S. service. A prototype vehicle is expected to be produced in 2015 and fielded by 2017. Derivatives of the vehicle based on a common chassis—such as tanks and ambulances— are expected to be manufactured. It replaced the canceled XM1206 Infantry Carrier Vehicle.[2]

Role

The Infantry Fighting Vehicle is intended to fill the role the XM1206 Infantry Carrier Vehicle had in the Future Combat Systems Manned Ground Vehicles.[2] It is the U.S. Army's intention that this IFV replace the main variants of the M113 (M113A2 & M113A3) while supplanting and displacing the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, M2 Bradley, and the Stryker into task specific derivatives of the M113 such as mortar or fire support. This will mean the M113 will be replaced by 2018.[3][4]

Design

Specific elements of the IFV will be contracted out, though the Army will retain the architecture and overall responsibility for synchronization. This contrasts with the canceled Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles where contractors had more control over the design.[5]

The IFV will be modular and networked and offer improved survivability, while using the state-of-the-art in mobility and power management functions. The GCV family will be built around one or more common chassis.[6]

Network
The GCV will be networked.

The IFV would be operable with the current Battle Command control and communications suite but would gradually use a more revolutionary networked integration system. The system would support integration with unmanned systems, and dismounted soldiers, providing adaptive access points and connectivity.[7]

Electrical power

The IFV would provide exportable electrical power, and battery charging capability for soldier systems.[7]

Mobility

The IFV must be transportable by C-17 cargo aircraft, rail and ship. The Army will not limit the vehicle to the dimensions of the C-130, which in the past has restricted many designs and air mobility will be provided by the larger C-17 only. The Army requires the IFV to meet the availability rates of the current Stryker[clarification needed]. The IFV will have good cross-country mobility, with a baseline requirement of 30 mph (50 km/h) off-road speed. The IFV should deliver higher sustainability[clarification needed] levels and consume less fuel than the Bradley Fighting Vehicle or other vehicles of similar weight and power.[7]

The IFV will have a crew of three and carry a squad of nine. The Army has stated no preference as to whether the IFV should be tracked or wheeled.[8]

Offensive capabilities

The type and caliber of the weapons to be installed in the IFV are still classified. The Army has only stated that the weapon suite will have both lethal and non-lethal means to support operations in civilian and non-civilian[clarification needed] environments.[7]

Protection

The Army would like the IFV to have the passive blast protection level equal to the MRAP[clarification needed] and would use hit avoidance systems.[7]

Development

Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army General Peter Chiarelli hosts the second Industry Day meeting.

On June 15 and 16, 2009 a blue-ribbon panel met in Washington D.C. to discuss the requirements for the Ground Combat Vehicle.[9] In late 2009, more than 100 businesses turned up for two U.S. Army organized industry day events in Michigan to express interest in bidding on the vehicle.[10][11]

After much delay, a review necessary for continuation was held on February 12, 2010, in Washington D.C.[12] A second review was held to clarify additional issues on February 17. The GCV review was officially passed on February 25.[13] A request for proposals was issued on February 25, 2010. Companies had 60 days to respond,[13] but this offer was extended an additional 25 days.[14] For fiscal year 2011, the U.S. Army intends to spend $934 million of the $2.5 billion allocated for BCT Modernization to develop the GCV.[15] Reportedly, 100 million was cut from the yet to be approved budget. [16]Up to three competitive contracts will be awarded by early fall.[8][17] A prototype development contract decision could follow by 2013.[18]

The Technology Development Phase (or Milestone A) is to begin in the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2010 with the award of up to three vehicle contracts. This will be followed by an Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phase before full production can start.[citation needed]

Competitors

There are four known competing contractors for the Ground Combat Vehicle contract.

Concept image of BAE/Northrop Contender.
  • BAE will provide general vehicle design, program management, integration of the vehicle components.
  • Northrop Grumman will provide technology pertaining to command, control, communications, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
  • QinetiQ North America will provide the electric drive propulsion system
  • Saft will provide the energy storage system.
  • Features
Wider and taller than a Bradley. All or most of the storage is internal accounting for the extra size.[23]
  • General Dynamics Land Systems leads the team as systems integrator and is also responsible for soldier interfaces, chassis.
  • Lockheed will develop the turret and weaponry.
  • MTU will develop the propulsion system.
  • Raytheon will develop the active protection systems, sensors.
  • Features
  • Uses conventional diesel.[20]
  • Boeing
  • Krauss-Maffei
  • Rheinmetall
  • Features
  • Reconfigured Puma chassis
  • Uses conventional diesel.[20]
  • Advanced Defense Vehicle Systems' proposal was rejected early on. A protest was filed by the company.[27]
  • Work breakdown
  • ADVS GCV has no known subcontractors
  • Features
  • Wheeled

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BCT Ground Combat Vehicle Program.

Notes

  1. ^ Brannen, Kate. "Chiarelli: GCV usually will not weigh its max". Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  2. ^ a b "Army Partially Terminates FCS Manned Ground Vehicle". asdnews.com. July 21, 2009. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
  3. ^ "The ground combat vehicle strategy: Optimizing for the future" (PDF). bctmod.army.mil. US Army. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  4. ^ Cox, Matthew (September 10, 2009). "U.S. Army Details Ground Combat Vehicle Plans". Defense News. Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
  5. ^ Ramienski, Dorothy (July 8, 2009). "Army implements new BCT modernization quickly after FCS". federalnewsradio.com. WFED. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  6. ^ "U.S. Army Defines Ground Combat Vehicles (GCV) Priorities". Defense Update. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d e "U.S. Army Outlines Ground Combat Vehicles Priorities". Defense update. Retrieved January 26, 2010.
  8. ^ a b Chavanne, Bettina (December 4, 2009). "New Combat Vehicle for U.S. Army". Aviationweek. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Cavallaro, Gina (June 11, 2009). "Panel to discuss new ground combat vehicle". Army Times. Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
  10. ^ "U.S. Army Announces Ground Combat Vehicle Industry Day" (PDF). US Army. US Army. October 2009. Retrieved October 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ Nelson, Margaret (November 25, 2009). "U.S. Army meets with industry representatives to conceive a ground combat vehicle". US Army. US Army. Retrieved November 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  12. ^ Brannen, Kate (February 11, 2010). "DoD Postpones Ground Combat Vehicle Review". Defense News. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  13. ^ a b Brannen, Kate (February 25, 2010). "Army to issue Ground Combat Vehicle RfP today". Defense News. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  14. ^ White, Andrew (19 April 2010). "US Army delays GCV deadline". Shephard. Shephard Group Limited. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  15. ^ Cox, Matthew (February 1, 2010). "No more Humvees in 2011 procurement plan". Army Times. Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
  16. ^ Roxana Tiron (27 July 2010). "House panel risks veto by supporting funds for second F-35 fighter engine". Capitol Hill Publishing Corp. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  17. ^ Scutro, Andrew (January 10, 2010). "Army vague on new ground combat vehicle". Army Times. Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved January 26, 2009.
  18. ^ Halcom, Chad (February 7, 2010). "Budget cuts for vehicles hit defense contractors". crainsdetroit.com. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
  19. ^ "BAE, Northrop to develop new ground combat vehicle". The Associated Press. March 1, 2010. Retrieved March 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ a b c Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. "BAE Offers Hybrid-Electric Combat Vehicle". National Journal Group Inc. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  21. ^ a b c "BAE, Northrop expand team to bid on Army contract". Bloomberg L.P. 26 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  22. ^ a b Kate Brannen (26 July 2010). "Firm wants Army to use hybrid technology on GCV". Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  23. ^ a b Michael Fabey (28 July 2010). "BAE-Northrop GCV Hybrid Drive A Gamble". The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Retrieved 28 July 2010.
  24. ^ Colin Clark (28 July 2010). "BAE's GCV Weighs 53 Tons, Hybrid". Military Advantage. {{cite web}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help)
  25. ^ a b "General Dynamics Team Submits Army Ground Combat Vehicle Proposal". PR Newswire Association LLC. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  26. ^ a b White, Andrew. "GCV shortlist revealed". Shephard Group Limited. Retrieved 21 May 2010.
  27. ^ Kate Brannen. "U.S. Army GCV Protest Not Expected to Cause Delay". Army Times Publishing Company. Retrieved 23 June 2010.

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GCV_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicle&oldid=377067014"