DARPA looks to improve armoured vehicle agility
DARPA is set to kick off its Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T) programme shortly, as it seeks engagement with non-traditional contributors to pursue fundamental research and development of groundbreaking future capabilities.
The GXV-T programme aims to improve the survivability of ground-based armoured fighting vehicles by increasing vehicle agility.
Today’s armoured vehicles are increasingly burdened with heavy armour to protect occupants against progressively sophisticated weaponry in high threat environments; and, as vehicles become heavier they become inherently less agile.
Increasing vehicle agility involves the ability to autonomously avoid incoming threats, either by rapidly moving out of the way or reconfiguring the vehicle so incoming threats have a low probability of hitting and penetrating the vehicle.
GXV-T seeks to develop revolutionary technologies to enable a layered approach to protection that would use less armour more strategically and improve vehicles’ ability to avoid detection, engagement and hits by adversaries. Such capabilities would enable smaller, faster vehicles in the future to more efficiently and cost-effectively tackle varied and unpredictable combat situations.
GXV-T will assess a number of approaches to achieve this, including active repositioning of armour, burst acceleration and suspensions that would enable the vehicle to dodge.
DARPA expects to release two Broad Agency Announcements with full technical details for GXV-T shortly.
More from Land Warfare
-
Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.
-
Saab to manufacture Carl-Gustaf M4 near New Delhi as Swedish firm eyes Indian expansion
Saab has planned to build “a streamlined ownership structure” in India to accelerate its investment plans and developing capabilities in the country.
-
Japan orders THeMIS UGVs
Milrem’s Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) is a modular, multimission, hybrid UGV. The current fifth-generation model incorporates knowledge gained during tests in the US, Europe and the Middle East, as well as during field-deployment in Mali in the French-led Operation Barkhane.
-
NATO orders more 155mm ammunition
The contract, in the triple-digit million euro range, includes high explosive extended range projectiles, modular charges, fuzes and primers.
-
US deploys Mid-Range Capability missile defence system to the Philippines
Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile defence system has leveraged Lockheed Martin’s expertise with two in-service USN systems: the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) and the Aegis Weapon System.