The U.S. Army has bolstered its Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) by finalising a contract exceeding $190 million with BAE Systems.
The deal, centred on the continued production of the Bradley A4 vehicle, comprises more than 70 M2A4 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and M7A4 Fire Support Team Vehicles.
“The Bradley is a crucial vehicle for the Armored Brigade Combat Teams today because it allows the Army to transport troops to the fight while providing cover fire to suppress enemy vehicles and troops,” commented Dan Furber, director of ground vehicle production for BAE Systems.
He emphasised the significance of updating the Bradley Fighting Vehicle by stating, “It’s imperative the Bradley Fighting Vehicle is upgraded to keep our Soldiers unmatched on the battlefield for years to come.”
The recent award follows the Early Order Material awards received in August and November 2022. As a continuation of the Army’s endeavours to modernise its combat vehicles, there will be upgrades from the M2A2 Operation Desert Storm – Situational Awareness (ODS-SA) variant.
Bradley A4, the new entrant in the fleet, boasts of enhanced mobility, including an engine with increased horsepower for quick reactions in combative situations. Enhancements also feature upgrades for improved survivability against threats such as IEDs, coupled with advances in computing systems to heighten situational awareness for troops.
The contract mandates the commencement of the project at various locations, including the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas, and multiple BAE Systems facilities scattered across the U.S., from Aiken, South Carolina to York, Pennsylvania.
Bae again, trusted by the best it seems. We could have had CV90 at Brigade strength by now.
I wonder how this compares per vehicle cost wise to Warrior CSP ?.
It is $2.7m per brand new vehicle. I do not know what the planned cost per vehicle was for WCSP.
That can’t be the cost for a brand new vehicle. Even for an upgrade of an existing Bradley it seems very little.
Graham,
Similarly puzzled. Per copy price, if new build, is $2.714+M/copy, an apparent screaming bargain, if this is the fully burdened contract value. It is also possible to interpret the article text (barely) as a refurbishment/upgrade, but why the hell would the USA mandate work content at multiple facilities? Apparent contravention of principle of industrial production efficiency. And if slated to be refurbished, wouldn’t the logical location be the Army tank plant in Lima OH? Dunno, strange tidings indeed…🤔😳
Don’t know where US Army and USMC do their vehicle upgrades. If there are multiple possible locations across the country, then I am sure State politicians would want their State to get a slice of the upgrade work.
Aside – the Lima OH plant (which I understand has not traditionally done upgrades but does now) has nearly been closed down a number of times over the years, especially in the 2010s:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima_Army_Tank_Plant
WCSP was originally planned to be £2.63m per vehicle (with NRE ammortised per vehicle), the programme comprising delivery of 245 turreted IFVs and 135 ABSVs. The programme did however go over-budget. ABSV was cancelled in the 2016 Budget round.
🇺🇸 Army Armoured vehicles:
✅ spiral developments
✅ full strip down and service after combat tours
✅ sores, replacements and logistical chain to support them
🇬🇧 Army Armoured vehicles:
😞
😞
😞
Ergo, this is a refurbishment/upgrade? If so, please comment on questions posed in post above. Thanks.
*stores
Could we just join the order for x(?) brigades worth of Bradley’s, and join onto the follow on order?
How many brigades would we need?
Then there are the FIST vehicles.
Rather than having a revised Bradley with a 25mm unstabilised cannnon we could have had a revised Warrior with a 40mm stabilised cannon.
What’s special about the Bradley compared to upgraded Warrior?
We have two armoured BCTs in the FS Orbat.
Warrior upgrade is canx…
Warrior is X years old
B52 is Y years old and
Triggers Broom is being handed down through generations
However, Warrior upgrade is canx and the kids need tracked AIFV.
Yep, I get that. B-52 is a very good example of an elderly platform that can be upgraded very effectively (and many times over) as Warrior could have been – I think we are on the same page.
The kids certainly need a cannon-equipped, tracked IFV in the ABCT to keep up with and support the tanks – crazy that MoD has selected Boxer instead. Another AFV cock-up and a very expensive one, at £5.4m per copy or so.
MoD will not change their mind. The best we can hope for is that the Boxers for the five AI Bns will get a beefy, stabilised cannon rather than a MG (otherwise it will just be a mere APC).
Slightly off-topic! but worth reading over the bank holiday.
Poland Is Gearing Up To Become a Tank Superpower
By the 2030s, Poland will have more tanks than the U.K., Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy combined.
It needs them. With Belarussia as its neighbour (which we know was happy to let russia invade from its territory) Kaliningrad and Ukraine (which Poland has to assume has a small chance of being conquered right up to its border) Poland has to be able to defend itself, be strong enough to put off anyone having a go.
Deterrence is Key!
Good morning Mr. Spanker, worth a look!
LINK
Spain will buy 394 Ascod based Pizarro evolution IFV/Mortar/etc.
Consideration of attacks from UAVs seems to be on everyone’s mind these days when selecting the right platform to choose.
LINK
Fair enough, and they certainly have the need, but I’ve seen some questions as to whether their economy can maintain their current defense spending.
With the prospect of war fast approaching!
HANSARD
WAR BUDGET. HC Deb 27 September 1939
LINK
Impressive. I wish Germany would get back to being a major tank nation to bolster the Polish effort – the demise in German tank numbers has been dramatic.
They’re not alone and a good time to get on the order books!
And great for the local economy too.
“According to the manufacturer, Hanwha Aerospace, the shipment came just a month after the initial batch of three Jelcz vehicles arrived in Korea to be assembled and integrated at Hanwha’s factory, while all the remaining 200+ Polish Chunmoo systems dubbed HOMAR-K will be manufactured in Poland in partnership with Polish defence partners, which is expected to maximize the economic benefits to the local industry.”
23 AUGUST 2023
Poland receives first Chunmoo MRL
“Poland’s first K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher (MRL) mounted on a Jelcz launch vehicle was delivered by sea to the Port of Gdańsk on 21 August 2023, the Polish Armaments Agency (AA) announced on its website on the same day.
Asked for more details, Hanwha Aerospace sent Janes a press release on 23 August, originally distributed only to Polish media on 29 June, announcing that the Chunmoo had been shipped from the South Korean port of Masan – 270 km southeast of Seoul – on 20 June and would be displayed at the International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2023 in Kielce, Poland, on 5–8 September.
Three Jelcz vehicles arrived in South Korea in early May for initial assembly and field tests. Chunmoo launch pods were integrated into the Polish vehicle at a Hanwha Aerospace factory in Changwon. The two other Chunmoo MRLs are scheduled to stay in South Korea until the end of August to undergo mobility and firing tests.
The AA said the Chunmoo would be integrated into Poland’s Topaz combat management system and undergo final testing. It expected another 17 launchers to be delivered to Poland by the end of 2023, allowing the first squadron of Homar-K MRLs to achieve basic combat readiness.”
https://defbrief.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/South-Korea-rolls-out-Polands-first-FA-50-jets-Chunmoo-MLRS-5-1024×707.jpg
“Britain’s bedevilled £5.5 billion Ajax armoured vehicle – first ordered by the Army in 2014 – is not expecting to achieve full operating capability until 2028 or 2029, it emerged last night.
The latest delays mean it could be a staggering 15 years between when defence chiefs ordered the vehicle and when it does everything it is supposed to do.”
As posted on this website.
No change in rollout for Challenger 3 tanks, says MoD July 26, 2023
“James Cartlidge, The Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, responded, confirming that the original plans are going as scheduled.
He stated: “The intent remains to build 148 Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks, as set out in the 2021 Defence Command Paper. The programme is on schedule to achieve Initial Operating Capability in 2027 and Full Operating Capability in 2030.”
Ajax – most of the Ajax story is depressing, including that it will have taken c.15 years to achieve FOC from the date of contract – usually a new AFV takes only about 10 years.
Shocking to me that IR Refresh and DCP Refresh 2023 which was all about studying lessons from the Ukraine conflict, did not advocate a greater than 148 number of CR3s. So just two armoured regiments for 3 Div.
I wonder if we will buy our first piece of Korean kit soon – K9 Thunder SPG?
The K9A2 looks promising at the moment.
“Hanwha’s Team Thunder UK is delighted to be joining DSEI 2023. Come along and see K9A2 SPH fitted with Soucy’s Composite Rubber Track.”
Hanwha unveils Advanced UK Version of K9A2 SPH Equipped with New Generation Composite Rubber Track
LINK
The NEXT – Embracing technology and making the Best Gun Better
“As evidence of this bold ROK approach to capability sustainment, in 2016, the ROK government’s Defense Acquisition Programme Administration (DAPA) announced the concept of a robotic howitzer development, which in 2023 was confirmed by the ROK Government as the upgrade of the K9A1 SPH to a K9A2 build standard.
K9A2 SPH is considered a favoured contender for the British Army’s Mobile Fires Platform (MFP) programme, and its design and origination as a purpose-built artillery platform, with zero compromise across firing solutions and combat area operations has a significant body of support across the Royal Artillery.
The K9A2 will integrate a fully automated turret onto the existing K9A1 chassis delivering enhanced levels of automation, lethality, survivability and digitisation.
In particular, the British variant of K9A2 will be equipped with Soucy’s Composite Rubber Track (CRT), enabling greater all-weather terrain accessibility for Shoot-and-Scoot operations, alongside reduced noise, vibration, maintenance and fuel consumption to enhance operational mobility.
“CRT is a game changer and makes huge strides in closing the gap between the oft-heard Wheels v Tracks polarizing debate,” said Simon Humphrey, Vice President of UK Business Development and Strategy of Hanwha Aerospace’s Land Systems Business Group.
The K9A2 platform will be operated by a crew of 3, thereby delivering the operating sweet spot for reduced crewing, extended operating cycles and in-vehicle resilience.
Importantly, this crew and vehicle configuration offers reversionary under armour operations should turret systems get knocked out. The turret retains its 48 round ready ammunition holdings and the vehicle can be paired with the K10 resupply vehicle to extend freedom of action and mission longevity.
The K9A2 SPH power and weight entry points allow genuine stretch and growth to incorporate further survivability enhancements such as C-UAS/RWS, active protection and up armouring. The K9A2 SPH will enter mass production for ROK Defence Forces in 2027.
In response to the UK MFP requirement, Hanwha Aerospace leads ‘Team Thunder UK’ partnering with a group of highly accomplished UK defence manufacturers, brought together to build and supply a world-class, cutting-edge mobile fires capability.
The team includes Lockheed Martin UK, Leonardo UK, Pearson Engineering, Horstman Defence Group, and Soucy Defense.
Hanwha Defense Australia in charge of the Australian Army’s Land 8116 program to build the AS9 Huntsman SPH and AS10 Armoured Ammunition Resuppy Vehicle has also joined the team.
The FUTURE –
Never stand still, exciting times ahead
And back in the Research and Development facility in Changwon, the Hanwha’s scientists and engineers are already maturing their thoughts around the K9A3 SPH, with a brief to deliver an extended range through the integration of a 58 calibre barrel, alongside the inclusion of further automation and AI to deliver crewed and uncrewed teaming solutions to continue to maximise lethality and survivability outcomes.
The thinking around the K9A4 is probably less mature, but you can be sure that it is already on a drawing board somewhere.”
https://www.shephardmedia.com/media/cache/images/redactor_uploads/2023/08/23/K9A2_with_CRT_5_e9hintV/749e0157d4ebf40211cb5c7508ff3177.JPG