Combat Vehicle Improvement Programs
Abstract
Program Element (PE) 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 PE provides combat effectiveness and Operating and Support (O&S) cost reduction enhancements for the Abrams tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles, and the Stryker Family of Vehicles (FOVs) through a series of product improvements. The Combat Recovery System/M88 HERCULES vehicle program is an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) that will allow 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 bring back the operational capability of the single vehicle recovery. The increased winching and lifting capability accommodates 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 will execute a series of ECPs to support the current embedded systems and to facilitate integration of technologies currently in development under other existing Programs of Record. The ECPs are not intended to exceed the operational capability outlined in current system requirements documents, but rather to ensure that the existing system performance is not further degraded and that Army mission equipment packages can be integrated on the Abrams and Bradley Platforms. The strategy for Abrams and Bradley will focus 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. The Abrams Main Battle Tank program has approved Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) to restore lost capability, host inbound technologies, and to meet objective performance requirements called out in approved platform requirements documents. The strategy for Abrams will focus 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 approach was approved by the Army Acquisition Executive in 3rd Quarter (Q) Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 and revalidated in an Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC) decision in 2018. The Army will modernize the tank fleet through a series of deliberate, incremental Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs). The current M1A2 SEPv3 tank (Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 1A - Power) is in production and is designed to mitigate Space, Weight, and Power (SWaP) limitations as well as create additional margin for integration of future technologies being developed by existing Programs of Record (POR). The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) is the materiel solution for replacement of the Army's Armored Personnel Carrier (M113) Family of Vehicles (FoV) within the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). It will mitigate current and future capability gaps in force protection, survivability, mobility, reliability, and interoperability across the Spectrum of Conflict. AMPV Improvement will address the development of Survivability, Lethality, Mobility, Network Lethality, and Communication, Command and Control (C3) improvements within the AMPV Family of Vehicles (FOVs). The strategy for AMPV Combat Vehicle Improvement line will focus 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 while transitioning material solutions for integration and implementation to the AMPV FOV fleet to increase combat capability. FY 2025 Base funding in the amount of $12.325 million for Project DD4 supports funding for: Army requested changes and those stemming from the Initial Operational Test and initiates development and integration of Enhanced Driver Viewer System (EDVS), Composite Rubber Track (CRT), and Modular Turreted Mortar System (MTMS) on the AMPV FOV. The EDVS color camera system will provide the driver high definition, low and visible light capability to provide the driver substantially improved situational awareness while driving in all weather conditions. The CRT 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, reduced Soldier maintenance. MTMS will provide added capabilities in 120mm caliber: low angle fires, fire on the move capability, increased range, and improved crew protection with turret. Stryker Improvement will address the development of Lethality, Survivability, Mobility, Network Lethality, and Communication, Command and Control (C3) 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) 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, to include but not limited to, 360 Situational Awareness, reactive armor tiles, and integration of emerging and existing technologies and other Stryker based platform solutions. The Stryker platform will also include future Mission Equipment Package (MEP) integration that includes but not limited to the Fire Direction Center (FDC) providing 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 MEP upgrades will address existing obsolescence issues of the Remote Weapon Station (RWS) with the CROWS and CROWS-J upgrade. The ATGM ECP will upgrade the Modified Improved Target Acquisitions System (MITAS), incorporating a 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 to provide anti-jam/anti-spoofing capabilities to the ATGM primary weapon system. 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 will formalize the system integration of the network modernization efforts, including Integrated Tactical Network (ITN). Upgrades of the Stryker flat-bottom hull and DVH variants were completed to mitigate known system deficiencies. In support of Readiness, Training-Rapid Fielding of Digitization of Stryker, Army Rapid Sustainment Improvement Process (RSIP) to develop two-way interface between Global Combat Support System - Army (GCSS-Army) and the Operator Tablet to support data transfers of maintenance work orders, parts ordering and updating of maintenance plans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2025
- Source ID
- 0203735A_7_2040_PB_2025
- Change Summary Explanation
- Funding changes in FY2025 include funding increase to support the Abrams Modernization efforts ramp up in FY 2025. The focus is on advanced technology maturation and system engineering priorities for the Abrams tank. Funding changes in FY2025 also include funding increase aligned to Armored Multi Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Product Development to increase current capability of AMPV Platform related to emerging Army requirements impacting the AMPV design.
- Service Agency Name
- Army
Entities
Organizations
- United States Army
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