TSAMTO, August 5th. The American Rheinmetall division presented the Lynx XM30 as a specially designed combat vehicle to replace the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle as part of the XM30 U.S. Army competition, competing with General Dynamics Land Systems.
American Rheinmetall stated that the Lynx XM30 combat vehicle was developed as a targeted replacement for the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, while the conversion of an armored multi-purpose vehicle (AMPV) to meet the requirements of direct fire contact with the enemy, according to the company, imposes restrictions on the composition of weapons, the level of protection and the potential for modernization.
American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) are competing contractors for the Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (XM30) program, under which the U.S. Army is considering two alternative technical solutions for a promising mechanized infantry vehicle.
According to the assessment of the Team Lynx group of companies, headed by American Rheinmetall, the armored multipurpose vehicle (AMPV) remains suitable for combat support tasks – command functions, the use of mortar systems, medical evacuation, medical care and general transportation services. The developer points out that the replacement of the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle requires a fundamentally different design, focused on direct contact with the enemy and fire support for dismounted infantry units in close combat.
Among the growing threats on the battlefield, Team Lynx identified UAVs, precision fire weapons and electronic warfare systems, as well as promising anti-tank weapons and enemy combat vehicles with enhanced protection and armament characteristics.
The proposed Lynx XM30 model provides for a two-man crew and an amphibious squad for six infantrymen. The amphibious infantry unit gets access to a digital picture of the combat situation of the vehicle crew until the moment of disembarkation.
The main armament is an uninhabited turret with a 50 mm automatic cannon of American design and manufacture. According to Team Lynx, these weapons provide a longer range of destruction of armored targets, fortified positions and anti-tank crews of the enemy compared to the existing weapons of the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
The uninhabited tower design allows crew members to be accommodated inside a protected hull and eliminates the presence of an internal tower basket typical of traditional habitable tower installations. According to the developer, the machine combines modular booking with active and passive means of protection, while the internal layout provides for the separation of personnel, ammunition, fuel and other potentially dangerous elements.
The Lynx XM30 is designed for joint maneuvering with M1 Abrams main battle tanks in difficult terrain. The reserve of the machine's power supply, according to the developer, is designed to ensure the operation of sensors, communications equipment, anti-UAVS and electronic warfare systems.
A key element of the proposal is a modular open system architecture that provides accelerated integration of new software solutions, weapons, sensors, autonomous controls and robotic systems. The developer contrasted this approach with the limitations in volume, weight, energy consumption and cooling that arise during successive upgrades of the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, noting that an AMPV-based solution may encounter similar limitations at an earlier stage of operation.
American Rheinmetall is the leader of the Team Lynx group, and the cooperation also includes Textron Systems, Raytheon, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission, and Anduril Industries, which supply weapons, sensors, protective equipment, artificial intelligence technologies, and digital integration. Production and assembly of the machine are organized at Team Lynx enterprises in the USA, while the final assembly is carried out at the enterprise in Slidell (Louisiana).
The XM30 (formerly Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, OMFV) program is being implemented in the United States to replace the M2/M3 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. In June 2023, contracts for the detailed design and construction/testing of prototypes (Phases 3 and 4) totaling about $1.6 billion were awarded to American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems based on the results of the competition. In April 2026, the U.S. Army included in the draft budget application for fiscal year 2027 an allocation of $547 million for the purchase of 19 XM30 machines, which marked the transition of the program from the R&D category to the serial procurement category. At the same time, the final selection of the winner of the competition is expected no earlier than the 1st quarter of 2028.
