BAE Systems may lose ahead of schedule in the US Army tender for a "light tank"

The tests of light armored vehicles announced in early January this year as part of the US Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) tender may end ahead of schedule for BAE Systems. The fact is that the corporation has not yet delivered a single prototype for testing according to the contract concluded with the US Army, Jane's reports.

The tests that have begun come only with General Dynamics prototypes, the newspaper notes. The company provided all 12 prototypes and four armored hulls for testing for firing and detonation tests. BAE Systems, a competitor in the tender, was able to supply only two armored hulls and not one ready-made prototype.

In 2018, the US Army awarded two contracts with BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) for over $ 375 million and $ 335 million, respectively, for prototype production, which were to begin testing in early January 2021. The winner will be determined at the end of this year.

BAE Systems Corporation has offered a new version tank M8 Armored Gun System with a new redesigned turret with a modular reservation system and the installation of an Elbit Systems Iron Fist active protection complex. The tank is equipped with a 105 mm XM35 cannon with an automatic loader.

General Dynamics offers the all-new Griffin II light tank. Griffin II is a symbiosis of the modified turret of the M1A2SEPv2 Abrams tank and the ASCOD 2 chassis. The new 120mm XM360 cannon was chosen as the gun. The combat weight of Griffin II reaches 38 tons.

The Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program provides for the creation of a tracked combat vehicle weighing no more than 32 tons, equipped with 105 or 120 mm cannon armament and an active protection system.

Comments

[NDR-791]

the corporation has not yet delivered a single prototype for testing under the contract
A cartoons say we show ??? Oh well.

[OgnennyiKotik]

General Dynamics has a completely logical and complete medium tank, created from mass-produced components and assemblies. It is quite logical to stop there. Of course, to call it a "light" tank, the language does not turn.

It looks like BAE will never get it right. Although the M8 was already selected by the US Army as a medium tank, the Cold War ended and the money was gone. Apparently not destiny.

M8 with 120 mm cannon.

[Oleg83]

I like the same more from General Dynamics. It's strange that the Marines decided to completely abandon tanks, a tank from General Dynamics would suit them

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: oleg83

It's strange that the Marines decided to completely abandon tanks.

They don't need clean tanks. Too much trouble with them and too little benefit. They can buy a "light tank" based on the LAV. In addition, they have plans for a new wheeled vehicle 8 * 8.

[Emil mamedoff]

Well, if so, then you can really use a good old striker with a 105mm cannon, run in wherever possible.
But apparently we need caterpillars (which is justified) and a 120mm cannon from Abrams.
And this GD tank is really handsome, just a donut!)

[OgnennyiKotik]

ILC does not use the Stryker platform, it has its own LAV.
In the army, it turns out a completely logical line
Light Tank - Striker 105
Medium - Griffin II
Heavy - Abrams M1A2

The fact that the tank is very nice I agree.

[Quadro]

Where is he handsome? He's a freak, M8 is much more pleasing to the eye. And yes, the m8 was originally airborne. And this is a 38 ton monster, like t64 in mass and close to t72.

[ironic]

The monster is a collective grave weighing 18 tons.

[Doccor18]

General Dynamics offers

something better than what BAE offers .. And they work more lively, and ... local ... So, most likely, they will receive the order in the end.

[Quadro]

Yeah, and their craft weighs 2 times more (even more, 18 tons in M8 versus 38 griffin), if GD can deceive physics, then maybe it's better.

[ironic]

Waste 18t of iron on a collective coffin better?

[tralflot1832]

Mini Abrams something does not work? Give advice to recruit blacks in the crews, you can make the armor thinner.

[Sir Galant]

those. BAE may not lose? based on the title of the article?