The Pentagon has summed up the competition AMPV
The AMPV (Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle) program was launched in the spring of 2013. Its goal is to replace the M113 armored personnel carrier and vehicles based on it in the armored brigades of the ground forces. Replaced are 2897 obsolete machines of several types. The total cost of the armored vehicles planned for the order should reach 13 billions of dollars. For this money, it is planned to purchase about 2900 vehicles in the configuration of an armored personnel carrier, self-propelled mortar, ambulance, etc. Applications for participation in the tender were filed by BAE Systems, General Dynamics and Navistar Defense.
BAE Systems offered a modification of the existing M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, General Dynamics put out a tracked version of the Stryker armored personnel carrier for the competition, and Navistar Defense presented a project to modernize the MaxxPro wheeled armored vehicle. For a number of reasons, the last project quickly dropped out of the competition, which is why only two participants continued the fight.
A prototype of an armored medical machine based on the BMN MXX Bradley as part of the BAE Systems proposal for the US Army AMPV program. In the background BMP M2A2 Bradley (c) BAE Systems
During the competition, the customer has adjusted the requirements for promising armored vehicles several times. The result of these changes in May 2014 was the refusal of General Dynamics to continue to participate in the work. The reason for leaving the competition was the updated requirements for the AMPV machine, which, it was claimed, were designed in such a way that the BAE Systems company’s car should be the winner. Such a reduction in the number of contestants did not affect the further course of the program. December 23 The Pentagon announced the expected result of the tender: the design and production of AMPV family vehicles will be handled by BAE Systems.
As a result of the tender, BAE Systems received the first contract, according to which, over the next 52 months, it should build and test 29 AMPV pre-production machines in all five required modifications. In addition to the contract, there is an option to build the first batch of 289 armored vehicles. For the execution of the signed contract, BAE Systems will receive 382 million dollars. The option for the first batch of serial machines will bring about another 800 million to her.
While specialists of the executive company are preparing for the start of mass production of armored vehicles, the Pentagon is making plans regarding the pace and cost of production. After the construction of the first batch of 289 machines is completed, it is planned to launch full-scale mass production at a rate of up to 300 machines per year. Thus, the entire fleet of retired M113 armored personnel carriers and vehicles based on them will be replaced within ten years. The total cost of such a replacement is estimated at about 13 billion dollars.
To participate in the AMPV program, BAE Systems has developed a project called RHB (Reconfigurable Height Bradley - “Bradley Variable Height”). As the basis for the new armored vehicles, it was proposed to use the Bradley infantry fighting vehicles in the army and in storage. Until the mid-nineties, the US military received more than 6700 BMN M2 and M3 Bradley. About 2 thousand such machines are currently in storage and are not used. The RHB project involves the removal of equipment from storage and its refinement for further return to the troops in a new capacity.
Alteration of the base BMP in the technique of new types involves the introduction of a number of changes in the design and composition of machinery equipment. Thus, the power plant, transmission and chassis of the base "Bradley", related to the early versions, should be updated in accordance with the modernization project M2A3. In this case, the cars are supposed to be equipped with a Cummins VTA-903T hp diesel engine with 600 horsepower, L-3 Combat Propulsion Systems HMPT-500 transmission and an updated suspension. The fuel system of the vehicle is also undergoing modifications: the internal tanks are moved outside the armored hull and are located in the rear of the vehicle.
To increase the level of protection of the crew and units from small weapons and enemy artillery on the base aluminum armor is proposed to mount additional steel modules. Similarly, additional protection of the bottom against explosives is provided. Installation of additional means of dynamic protection is possible. A curious innovation of the RHB project is the so-called. Floating Floor ("Floating Floor") - a special design of the bottom of the hull and floor of the habitable volume, capable of absorbing part of the energy of the explosion under the caterpillar or the bottom of the machine.
One of the main changes reflected in the name of the project is the dismantling of the tower and the use of the new roof of the combat and amphibious squad. This roof allows you to increase the available volume inside the case, inside which you can place the necessary equipment. In addition, it is proposed to perform it in the form of a removable module, which makes it relatively easy to prepare renewable machines for operation, as well as quickly enough to change the configuration and, as a result, the purpose of a particular AMPV.
In the course of the further implementation of the AMPV program, the Pentagon wants to receive five types of armored vehicles:
- GPV (General Purpose Vehicle - "General Purpose Vehicle") - basic armored personnel carrier with a crew of two and a landing force of six people. Must carry their own weapons and be equipped with a roof of standard height. In the early stages of the program, it was argued that troops needed 520 of such machines;
- MEV (Medical Evacuation Vehicle) - medical evacuation vehicle with a crew of three. Inside the habitable volume increased with the help of a modular roof, is expected to host up to 6 4 to lying or sitting injured. The machine must carry a set of medical equipment. It is planned to purchase 790 units of such equipment;
- MTV (Medical Treatment Vehicle) - medical and sanitary vehicle with a crew of four and a place for one lying wounded. In the habitable compartment with a modular roof should be placed a set of equipment necessary for first aid. Troops need 216 vehicles of this type;
- MCV (Mortar Carrier Vehicle) - self-propelled mortar without a special roof module. In the fighting compartment should be 120-mm mortar and ammunition 69 min. The crew consists of a driver, a commander and two mortar gunners. 386 of such machines will be ordered;
- MCmd (Mission Command) - command and staff vehicle. Communication and control equipment, as well as two operators, should be located in the manned compartment of increased height. It is supposed to order about 1000 machines of this type.
In the near future the company BAE Systems received the first BMP M2 Bradley, who will soon be converted in accordance with the AMPV / RHB project. Work is planned to be carried out at the company's plant in York (Pennsylvania). Part of the work will be performed by military experts from the Red River arsenal (pc. Texas).
The 52 of the month is allocated for the implementation of the first phase of the program. Thus, testing of pre-production machines should be completed by 2019 year. By the end of the decade it is planned to deploy a full-scale mass production of new armored vehicles. As a result, over the next 5-10 years, US Army armored brigades will receive about 3 thousand new armored vehicles, and also return a large number of infantry combat vehicles that are in storage and idle for work.
At the end of last year, it became known that after the AMPV competition, the United States military could begin a similar tender, the goal of which would be to replace almost all 2000 M113 machines and equipment based on them. This technique is used in parts above the brigade level, and is not fully satisfied with the military. To replace existing M113 and other machines, a new program similar to AMPV can be launched.
The similarity of the prerequisites of these two programs and the types of equipment to be replaced can lead to interesting consequences. It is quite possible that General Dynamics and BAE Systems will again take part in the competition for the creation of armored vehicles to replace the “brigade” M113. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that the situation with the specific requirements for a promising machine will repeat, which is why General Dynamics will be forced to refuse to participate in the tender or will not apply at all.
Details of the proposed replacement of armored vehicles in parts of the brigade level are still unknown. The AMPV program, in turn, has moved to a new stage. In the coming years, BAE Systems specialists should complete design work and prepare 29 prototype machines for various purposes. Successful fulfillment of this order will allow the company to continue working under the AMPV program and earn about 13 billion dollars, as well as provide orders from one of its factories for several years to come.
On the materials of the sites:
http://defensenews.com/
http://baesystems.com/
http://militaryparitet.com/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
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