US Army looks to composite components to reduce weight of ground vehicles
An M2 Bradley IFV at Fort Irwin, California. (Photo: US Army)
The US Army is keen to take advantage of lighter composite materials to reduce the overall weight of its combat and transport vehicles. Over FY2025, the service plans to invest nearly $1 billion in efforts to make its core land fleet lighter and more agile.
Some of the initiatives focus on Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles and the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV).
Speaking to Shephard, mechanical engineer and president of US-based company Mayflower Consulting, Andrew Halonen, explained that weight reduction enables ground platforms to carry more payload and better manoeuvre on the battlefield.
“You do not have
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
Tulpar firing trials expand Hitfact Mk II platform options
Firing trials of the Tulpar and Leonardo Hitfact Mk II combination follow an integration programme covering mechanical, electrical, electronic and software interfaces.
-
How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action
The news from Ukraine has again shown that antitank minefields and other obstacles on the battlefield, such as deep trenches, can play a key role in both offensive and defensive operations. Given this, there will always be a need to clear them, both during and after a conflict.
-
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?