Combat Vehicle Improvement Programs

Mission — Combat Vehicle Improvement Programs source

Program Element 0203735A Combat Vehicle Improvement Programs corrects vehicle deficiencies identified during Army operations; continues technical system upgrades to include the integration of applicable technologies on ground systems; addresses needed evolutionary enhancements to tracked combat vehicles; and develops technology improvements which have application to or insertion opportunities across multiple Ground Combat Systems vehicles. This Program Element provides combat effectiveness and Operating and Support cost reduction enhancements for the Recovery Vehicle Improvement program, Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles, and the Stryker Family of Vehicles through a series of product improvements. The Combat Recovery System/M88 HERCULES vehicle program is an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) that allows the current recovery vehicle to regain Single Vehicle Recovery (SVR) for the heaviest tracked combat vehicle as defined in the Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES) Enhanced M88A2E1 Capability Production Document Increment 2 dated 20 January 2017. The fielded M88A2 HERCULES lacks the necessary power, weight, and braking ability to safely support the recovery of the M1A2SEPv2 as well as the M1A2SEPv3 in all situations. The M88A3 vehicles will meet the operational capability for single vehicle recovery. The increased winching and lifting capability will accommodate all 80-ton Abrams variants. Without this increased capability, units must use two M88A2 Medium Recovery Vehicles to perform the necessary spectrum of recovery operations. The Abrams M1A2SEPv2/v3 and M2/M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles are at or exceed Space, Weight, and Power-Cooling (SWaP-C) limitations. In order to host and restore lost platform capability, the Abrams Tank and Bradley Fighting Vehicle programs previously executed a series of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) to support embedded systems and to facilitate integration of technologies developed under other existing Programs of Record. The ECPs were not intended to exceed the operational capability outlined in system requirements documents but rather ensured that the existing system performance was not further degraded and that Army mission equipment packages could be integrated on the Abrams and Bradley Platforms. The strategy for Abrams and Bradley focused on incrementally delivering capability to the warfighter to meet both near-term limitations as well as mitigating gaps and maintaining combat overmatch in the future. This effort was approved by the Army Acquisition Executive in 3rd Quarter (QTR) Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. Abrams Modernization is a targeted and more intentional continuation of the Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) program strategy started in 2011. The focus remains making capability improvements needed to fight and win against future threats on the battlefield. Abrams Modernization focuses on reducing the logistical footprint of the current Abrams tank while integrating Soldier protection and meeting performance requirements called out in approved platform requirements documents leveraging advancements in technology to take a different technological approach to existing requirements. This approach builds on the proven ECP strategy from the Army Acquisition Executive in 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2011, revalidated in an Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) decision in 2018, and recently refocused by Army Senior Leaders in 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2023. The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the materiel solution replacing the Army's Vietnam Era Armored Personnel Carrier (M113) Family of Vehicles within the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). It mitigates current and future capability gaps in force protection, survivability, mobility, reliability, and interoperability across the Spectrum of Conflict. The AMPV improvements will address the development of Survivability, Lethality, Mobility, Network Lethality, and Communication, Command and Control (C3) improvements within the AMPV. The strategy for the AMPV Improvement line will focus on incrementally delivering enhanced capabilities to the warfighter to meet both near-term limitations as well as mitigating gaps and maintaining combat overmatch in the future while transitioning material capabilities for integration and implementation to the AMPV Family of Vehicles fleet to increase combat capability. Fiscal year 2026 base funding in the amount of $10.757 million for Project DD4 supports funding for Army requested changes and requests stemming from the Initial Operational Test, continues development and integration of Composite Rubber Track, Vehicular Situational Awareness (formerly Enhanced Driver Viewer System), and AMPV mission equipment package studies/development. Vehicular Situational Awareness will provide the driver and vehicle commander improved visibility surrounding the vehicle leading to a safer operating environment. The Composite Rubber Track offers significant advantages compared to traditional linked steel track currently utilized to include vehicle weight savings, improved fuel economy, improved track and road wheel durability, and reduced soldier maintenance. The Field Artillery and Engineering mission equipment packages enable the Armored Brigade Combat Team to deploy within configurations optimized to meet operational needs including counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). Stryker Improvement will address the development of Lethality, Survivability, Mobility, Network Lethality, and Communication, Command, Control, Computers and Cyber (C5) improvements within the Stryker Family of Vehicles (FOVs). Principal development efforts include upgrades associated with the Stryker Double V-Hull A1 (DVH A1) Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Javelin (CROWS-J) Operational Need Statement (ONS), Stryker Survivability Enhancement, and Stryker Lethality ECPs. DVH A1 ECP upgrades restore Stryker DVH Space, Weight, and Power-Cooling (SWaP-C) lost as a result of incorporating vehicle changes to counter threats encountered during deployment operations while allowing the future network to be hosted without further degradation in vehicle protection and mobility. The Stryker CROWS-J ONS efforts addressed Urgent Operational Need to increase the lethality of Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV) within the United States Army European Command (USAREUR). The Stryker Survivability Enhancements address evolving threats by assessing survivability improvements and advancing technologies and integrating emerging and existing technologies and other Stryker based platform solutions. The Stryker program will also integrate future Mission Equipment Packages (MEP), including the Fire Direction Center (FDC). The FDC provides an on-the move capability that processes voice and digital data while maintaining contact with the indirect fire team over extended distances. Stryker Lethality ECP efforts (CROWS-J, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), and other capabilities) focus on the integration of a suite of complementary MEP lethality upgrades that will improve the suppressive fire and armored vehicle engagement capabilities across the Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). Additionally, the Lethality Mission Equipment Package (MEP) upgrades address existing Remote Weapon Station (RWS) obsolescence issues with the CROWS and CROWS-J upgrade, as well as Network Lethality capability and improvements such as Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems. The ATGM ECP upgrades the Modified Improved Target Acquisitions System (MITAS), incorporating far target locator and enabling the dissemination of target acquirement information utilizing networked lethality, providing a common operating picture. The ATGM ECP also added the Embedded Training System Software (ETSS) and integrated the M-Code Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver into the MITAS. Adding these capabilities addressed the obsolescence of the following: Basic Skills Trainer, Card Rack Assembly that is the controller of the ATGM primary weapon system, and SAASM GPS receiver of the MITAS Precision Far Target Locator. Stryker Network Modernization formalizes the system integration of the network modernization efforts, including Integrated Tactical Network (ITN). In support of Readiness/Training-Rapid Fielding of Digitization of Stryker, Army Rapid Sustainment Improvement Process (RSIP) supports development of data transfers of maintenance work orders, parts ordering and updating of maintenance plans. Predictive logistics development and integration improvements focus on incorporation of health data elements from platform diagnostics. The Stryker Driver Assistance Systems will develop strategies, through technical and engineering analyses, for the integration of emerging technologies onto the Stryker Platforms. Combat Vehicle Improvement Programs is part of the Army Transformation Initiative. The FY 2026 request was reduced by $0.889 million for Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiencies and advance the policies of the Administration in alignment with Executive Order 14222, "Implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency Cost Efficiency Initiative."

Mission — RECOV VEH IMPROV PROG source

The M88 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (HERCULES), designated as an Acquisition Category (ACAT) IC program on 15 Jun 2016, has been providing towing, winching, and hoisting operations to support battlefield recovery operations and evacuation of heavy tanks and other tracked combat vehicles since its production and deployment in 1998. The M88 HERCULES recovers tanks mired to different depths, removes M1 Abrams turrets and power packs, and uprights overturned heavy combat vehicles. Currently, the M88A2 is unable to safely perform Single Vehicle Recovery (SVR) of the Abrams tank in all conditions, due to added weight/survivability improvements made to the tank. To ensure single vehicle recovery is met, Project Manager-Mounted Armored Vehicle (PM-MAV) will develop and integrate Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) technologies for the M88A2 HERCULES through an initiative to meet its operational requirements of single vehicle recovery throughout its life cycle. This initiative is not intended to exceed current operational capability but will instead regain single vehicle recovery capability of the heaviest tracked combat vehicle.

Mission — Abrams Tank Improve Prog source

The Army approved an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) for Abrams Modernization focused on reducing the logistical footprint of the current Abrams tank while integrating missile, drone, and other top attack protection. Abrams Modernization will leverage advances in technology to take a different technological approach to current performance requirements called out in approved platform requirements documents. The strategy for Abrams focuses on delivering capability to the warfighter to meet both near-term limitations as well as mitigating gaps and maintaining combat overmatch in the future. This approach builds on the proven ECP strategy from the Army Acquisition Executive in 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2011, revalidated in an Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) decision in 2018, and recently refocused by Army Senior Leaders in 3rd Quarter Fiscal Year 2023. The Army will modernize the tank fleet through development of the Modernization Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) which will include the best features of prior ECPs and will comply with the latest modular open systems architecture standards, allowing quicker technology upgrades. This will enable the Army and its commercial partners to design a more survivable, lighter tank that will be more effective on the battlefield at initial fielding and easier to upgrade in the future. FY 2026 base funding in the amount of $723.505 million represents a significant investment in Abrams Modernization. This funding will support, but not limited to, the continued identification, development, maturation, future integration, and demonstration of critical high priority technology candidates through FY 2026.

Mission — AMPV Improvement Program source

The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the materiel solution replacing the Army's Armored Personnel Carrier M113 Family of Vehicles within the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). It mitigates current and future capability gaps in force protection, survivability, mobility, reliability, and interoperability across the Spectrum of Conflict. Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle improvements will address the development of Survivability, Lethality, Mobility, Network Lethality, and Communication, Command and Control (C3) improvements within the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Family of Vehicles. The strategy for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Combat Vehicle Improvement line will focus on incrementally delivering enhanced capabilities to the warfighter to meet both near-term limitations as well as mitigating gaps and maintaining combat overmatch in the future while transitioning material capabilities for integration and implementation to the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle Family of Vehicles fleet to increase combat capability. Fiscal year 2026 base funding in the amount of $10.757 million supports funding for: Army requested changes and requests stemming from the Initial Operational Test, continues development and integration of Composite Rubber Track, Vehicular Situational Awareness (formerly Enhanced Driver Viewer System), and Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle mission equipment packages. As required, supports Army assessment, experimentation, and testing from emerging Army requirements impacting the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle. The Composite Rubber Track is a single continuous 'band' of track manufactured from multiple rubber compounds, Kevlar, steel reinforcement, and metallic composite stiffeners. The Composite Rubber Track as well as segmented track offers significant advantages compared to traditional linked steel track to include vehicle weight savings, improved fuel economy, improved track and road wheel durability, and reduced soldier maintenance. Vehicular situational awareness will provide the driver and vehicle commander improved visibility surrounding the vehicle to prevent safety incidents, such as vehicle rollovers, that may lead to soldier injuries. The future Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle mission equipment packages will configure the vehicle to meet emerging Army requirements to support combat operations with the Engineers, Field Artillery, Remote Control Vehicle, and any other mission set to include counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS).

Mission — Stryker Improvement source

Stryker Improvement will address the development of Lethality, Survivability, Mobility, Network Lethality, and Communication, Command, Control, Computers and Cyber (C5) improvements within the Stryker Family of Vehicles (FOVs). Principal development efforts include upgrades associated with the Stryker Double V-Hull A1 (DVH A1) Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station-Javelin (CROWS-J) Operational Need Statement (ONS), Stryker Survivability Enhancement, and Stryker Lethality ECPs. DVH A1 ECP upgrades restore Stryker DVH Space, Weight, and Power-Cooling (SWaP-C) lost as a result of incorporating vehicle changes to counter threats encountered during deployment operations while allowing the future network to be hosted without further degradation in vehicle protection and mobility. The Stryker CROWS-J ONS efforts addressed Urgent Operational Need to increase the lethality of Stryker Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV) within the United States Army European Command (USAREUR). The Stryker Survivability Enhancements address evolving threats by assessing survivability improvements and advancing technologies and integrating emerging and existing technologies and other Stryker based platform solutions. The Stryker program will also integrate future Mission Equipment Packages (MEP), including the Fire Direction Center (FDC). The FDC provides an on-the move capability that processes voice and digital data while maintaining contact with the indirect fire team over extended distances. Stryker Lethality ECP efforts (CROWS-J, Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), and other capabilities) focus on the integration of a suite of complementary MEP lethality upgrades that will improve the suppressive fire and armored vehicle engagement capabilities across the Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs). Additionally, the Lethality Mission Equipment Package (MEP) upgrades address existing Remote Weapon Station (RWS) obsolescence issues with the CROWS and CROWS-J upgrade, as well as Network Lethality capability and improvements such as Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems. The ATGM ECP upgrades the Modified Improved Target Acquisitions System (MITAS), incorporating far target locator and enabling the dissemination of target acquirement information utilizing networked lethality, providing a common operating picture. The ATGM ECP also added the Embedded Training System Software (ETSS) and integrated the M-Code Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver into the MITAS. Adding these capabilities addressed the obsolescence of the following: Basic Skills Trainer, Card Rack Assembly that is the controller of the ATGM primary weapon system, and SAASM GPS receiver of the MITAS Precision Far Target Locator. Stryker Network Modernization formalizes the system integration of the network modernization efforts, including Integrated Tactical Network (ITN). In support of Readiness/Training-Rapid Fielding of Digitization of Stryker, Army Rapid Sustainment Improvement Process (RSIP) supports development of data transfers of maintenance work orders, parts ordering and updating of maintenance plans. Predictive logistics development and integration improvements focus on incorporation of health data elements from platform diagnostics. The Stryker Driver Assistance Systems will develop strategies, through technical and engineering analyses, for the integration of emerging technologies onto the Stryker Platforms.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (16)