Army's Ground Combat Vehicle

By PEO Integration for STAND-TO!April 10, 2010

Army's Ground Combat Vehicle

What is it'

The U.S. Army Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) effort is part of a holistic Army plan to modernize its combat fleet. This includes incorporating mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles into the fleet while modernizing current vehicle fleets including Stryker. The first ground combat vehicle will be an Infantry Fighting Vehicle

What has the Army done'

On Feb. 25, the Army released a request for proposals (RFP) for the technology development phase of the GCV. The GCV acquisition program will follow Department of Defense best acquisition practices and be a competitive program with up to three contract awards. Prior to the release of the RFP, the Army engaged with industry through a series of industry days to inform them of the government's intent for GCV development and gain feedback from potential contractors about GCV. The Army received significant feedback on requirements, growth, training and the program at large thereby informing the requirements process and indicating the potential for a competitive contracting environment. Also, as part of the formal process, the Army has made a Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV) "Body Of Knowledge" available to industry in order to capitalize on the technological gains --and money spent - during the eight-year development of the now-canceled MGV program. Specific requirements such as weight have not been set. Instead, the Army is allowing industry to propose the best solution to meet the requirements.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

Once proposals from industry are received, the Army will enter source selection process and intends to award up to three technology development contracts by the fourth quarter of this year, marking a roughly 27-month period in which to test and mature subcomponents and other material elements of the designs prior to a milestone B, or prototyping phase, in 2015.

Why is it important to the Army'

The GCV will address capability gaps of mobility, information sharing for mounted and dismounted Soldiers on the move. It will offer a highly survivable platform and is the first vehicle designed from the ground up to operate in an improvised explosive device (IED) environment. It is envisioned to have greater lethality and ballistic protection than a Bradley, greater IED and mine protection than an MRAP and the cross country mobility of an Abrams.

Resources:

<a href="http://www.bctmod.army.mil" target="_blank"> Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization</a>