US Army tests 30mm combat vehicle with counter-drone and target-sharing systems

BAE Systems has delivered two new AMPV 30 concept infantry fighting vehicles to the US Army, combining a 30mm remote turret with systems designed to detect drone threats and share targets across the battlefield.The vehicles were delivered in April for the Army’s Transformation in Contact (TiC) 2.0 initiative and have since undergone field evaluations, including live-fire testing. The program allows soldiers to test emerging technology under operational conditions and provide feedback on what works. BAE developed the two vehicles in just six months using $17 million of its own research and development funding. The design builds on the chassis of the company’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, or AMPV. Rather than developing an entirely new combat vehicle, BAE modified the existing platform using its common top plate. The approach allows different weapons and mission equipment to be integrated onto the same underlying vehicle architecture. 30mm turret boosts firepower Both AMPV 30 prototypes carry Kongsberg’s Medium Caliber Turret, a compact remote turret system that is already in production for the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle. The remotely operated turret allows soldiers to use the weapon system while remaining protected inside the armored vehicle. Its integration also demonstrates how the AMPV platform can be adapted for an infantry fighting vehicle role. “Our mission was speed and innovation, and we delivered beyond expectations,” said Bill Sheehy, vice president of BAE Systems’ Ground Maneuver futures. “With today’s battlefield evolving faster than ever, it’s paramount that Soldiers have the capabilities they need to win the fight. Throughout this effort, our team demonstrated how we can integrate new design solutions in a time-effective and more cost-efficient manner for the Army.” The prototypes add more than firepower. They are equipped with counter-unmanned aircraft system capabilities intended to help soldiers combat drone threats, an increasingly important requirement for armored vehicles. BAE has also added a cross-platform target handoff system. It allows multiple vehicles to connect and exchange targeting information, helping crews identify targets and coordinate their response across the battlefield. Crews see beyond armor A 360-degree situational awareness camera system gives soldiers a view of their surroundings without requiring them to leave the protection of the vehicle. Together, the sensors, connectivity and counter-drone systems are intended to improve crew awareness and survivability. The modular design is central to BAE’s approach. Its common top plate and the AMPV’s open architecture allow different mission equipment packages to be installed without redesigning the entire vehicle. According to BAE, the platform can accommodate more than 30 different turret systems. That gives the Army options to modify the vehicle’s weapons and equipment as operational requirements change. The two AMPV 30s bring the number of turreted AMPV prototypes funded by BAE over the past two years to eight. The latest vehicles are now being evaluated by soldiers to determine how the combination of firepower, counter-drone capability and battlefield connectivity performs under field conditions.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.