In an effort to exceed the requirements of the US Army for maneuverability, lethality and survivability, the weapons company BAE Systems (UK) offers a completely new model with a modular architecture of open systems for the " Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle" program (OMFV).
BAE Systems revealed details of its solution to meet the needs of the US Army at a press conference on November 30, 2022. The company also announced its partnership on the project with Elbit Systems of America, Curtiss-Wright and QinetiQ.
OMFV from BAE SystemsFocusing on compliance with the customer's technical requirements in terms of maneuverability, lethality and survivability, BAE Systems offers Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), a specially built next-generation combat vehicle for the detailed design phase as part of efforts to replace the Bradley IFV.
According to the explanations of the BAE Systems management, the manufacturer's offer includes a completely new design platform. The digital architecture of the project will allow the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, as well as its deployment in unmanned operations. Developed by BAE Systems and Curtiss-Wright, the MOSA approach will allow systems to be integrated into the vehicle in the future as threats develop on the battlefield.
According to the designers, modularity covers the design of the entire platform and will allow it to "grow with technology." To automatically detect and recognize threats, the OMFV solution will also be equipped with a target recognition system with intelligent AI-based image processing, which reduces the cognitive load on the crew.
The platform, equipped with a multi-purpose missile launcher with a TOW baseline, will also receive a 50-mm uninhabited UT50 turret from Elbit with a Northrop Grumman XM913 cannon, a high-capacity ammunition management system and third-generation FLIR sights.
OMFV from BAE Systems will be equipped with an Elbit UT50 towerAs Elbit representatives explained, UT50 is compatible with MOSA and the architecture of the general infrastructure of ground combat systems (Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure Architecture, GCIA), which in the future will allow the army to integrate future technologies more easily, quickly and cheaply.
It is believed that this "frankly represents a sharp shift in the lethality of infantry fighting vehicles and the survivability of personnel."
To ensure increased mobility and low-noise maneuvering, the platform with a crew of two people is equipped with a hybrid electric drive (HED), a 1070 hp engine and composite rubber tracks. The hybrid electric drive will provide nine hours of silent operation and 2.5 km of low-noise maneuvering. The BAE Systems model will be able to reach a speed of 71 km/h and accelerate from a standstill to 48 km/h in 10.5 seconds. The weight of the machine will be 50 tons and will be able to additionally accommodate 2.7 tons. In addition, the vehicle is designed to further increase the excess onboard power to 700 kW (about 950 hp) to ensure the operation of future weapons systems.
From the point of view of survivability, it is planned to install an active protection system (APS) from Elbit "Iron Fist" and protection against mine detonation on the machine. To cope with new threats, modular armor will be available for her, including additional protection from air attacks.
Although the customer's requirements for OMFV do not specify protection against UAVs (C-UAS), the BAE platform provides for the integration of sensors to combat drones, and its onboard power will allow the use of lasers more powerful than those currently used to defeat this type of threat.
The BAE Systems solution is designed to provide increased mobility and low-noise maneuveringAs you know, BAE Systems competes with four industry teams led by American Rheinmetall, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), Oshkosh Defense and Point Blank Enterprises (PBE).
The American company Rheinmetall offers the Lynx OMFV with a turret equipped with a 50 mm XM913 cannon, a paired machine gun with a special third-generation FLIR sight from L3 Harris and an M2.50cal machine gun mounted in a crew-independent weapon system with its own sight. The platform will also be equipped with a Raytheon multi-purpose launcher for firing Tow and Javelin ATGMs, as well as Coyote barrage ammunition.
The Oshkosh Defense solution includes the Hanwha Redback chassis and the Rafael SAMSON family of turrets in addition to the development of QinetiQ and Pratt Miller vehicles, digital design, C5ISR complex and autonomy. It is also planned to equip Plasan with survivability solutions.
The GDLS offering is a digitally designed modular open systems platform that includes cybersecurity capabilities, secure autonomy, and advanced threat protection.
In the case of PBE, its OMFV solution will be equipped with an advanced Cummins combat engine (ACE), hybrid electric drive, threat protection with two 360° hemispheres and modular architecture provided by excess exported electricity.
Following the results of the detailed design phase, the US Army intends to conclude up to three OMFV contracts in April 2023.
According to the materials of the resource shephardmedia.com