BAE Systems teams up with Elbit Systems on Advanced Army Combat Vehicles

BAE is a leader in the design, integration, production, and support of innovative combat vehicles. BAE Systems partnered with Elbit Systems of America to develop and integrate advanced operational capabilities for combat vehicles. 

Their work will focus on "validating and integrating new technologies on combat vehicle systems to deliver advanced warfighting capabilities", according to the statement.

Photo Courtesy BAE Systems

The two companies will leverage their experience for the evaluation, demonstration and validation of multiple mission payloads and capabilities for the next generation of combat systems. 

This announcement comes on the eve of the Army's second attempt to replace its Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle with an Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV). This timing signals BAE's plans to bid on the effort. 

BAE Systems — Bradley’s manufacturer — opted out of the first OMFV competitive effort because the company felt the requirements and timeline to design, develop and field a new vehicle wasn’t realistic. The U.S. Army eventually withdrew its first solicitation in that competition when only General Dynamics Land Systems was able to deliver a physical bid sample within the required timeline.

Now, combat vehicles developer is teaming up with Elbit, a leader in the design and integration of advanced turret solutions to compete with Rheinmetall and Textron Systems, who announced their partnership in the development its Lynx41 vehicle for the OMFV competition.

"BAE Systems and Elbit America are investing in transformational combat vehicle technologies and turret solutions that will greatly enhance the lethality and survivability of next-generation combat vehicles for the U.S. and international militaries,” said Jim Miller, director of business development at BAE Systems. “Our relationship demonstrates a commitment to provide our customers with solutions for future battlefields based on our collective combat vehicle expertise."

The two companies will explore crew automation, vehicle protection systems and other defensive and offensive systems. These defensive/offensive systems will be integrated into turrets of various cannon calibers and supporting weapon systems for combat vehicles.

General Dynamics Land Systems is also expected to compete in the OMFV competition again.

The Army put out a draft solicitation in July and plans to release its request for proposals to industry in December, but it is not requiring a bid sample for the new competition.