Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle

Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle. It is a family of tracked combat vehicles designed to replace the aging M113 armored personnel carrier fleet within the United States Army. Developed by BAE Systems, the program represents a significant modernization effort to provide improved survivability, mobility, and network connectivity for the Armored Brigade Combat Team. The vehicle entered low-rate initial production in 2020 and achieved its first unit equipped status with the 1st Infantry Division in 2023.

Development and Acquisition

The program originated from a formal requirement established by the United States Army to find a successor for the venerable M113 armored personnel carrier, thousands of which remained in service despite their Vietnam War-era origins. In 2014, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command validated the need for a new platform with enhanced protection against threats like improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades. A competitive procurement was launched, with contenders including a proposal from General Dynamics Land Systems based on the ASCOD chassis. After a rigorous evaluation phase, the BAE Systems proposal, derived from the M2 Bradley chassis, was selected as the winner in 2018. The contract award was overseen by the Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, with manufacturing centered at the BAE Systems Platforms & Services facility in York, Pennsylvania. The program has progressed through Milestone C approval and into full-rate production, managed under the purview of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology.

Design and Variants

The design leverages the proven automotive components and hull of the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, providing a substantial improvement in survivability and power over the aluminum-hulled M113 armored personnel carrier. It features a V-hull design for enhanced blast protection and is equipped with the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station for crew safety. The family consists of five key variants to fulfill different roles within the armored formation. The General Purpose variant serves as the primary armored personnel carrier and ambulance. The Mission Command variant houses staff officers and advanced C4ISR systems for battlefield management. The Mortar Carrier variant is equipped with a 120mm mortar system for indirect fire support. The Medical Evacuation and Medical Treatment variants are designed for casualty evacuation and forward surgical care, replacing the M113 armored personnel carrier in the Medical Corps role.

Operational History

Initial fielding commenced in 2023 with the 1st Infantry Division stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, marking a major milestone for the United States Army's modernization plans under initiatives like Army Futures Command. The vehicles are being integrated into the Armored Brigade Combat Team structure to support maneuver elements. Training and New Equipment Training sessions have been conducted by units like the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division to build crew proficiency. The platform is expected to see extensive use in large-scale combat exercises such as those at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, and Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. Its deployment is anticipated in future North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercises across Europe, including regions like the Baltic states and Poland.

Operators

The primary and currently sole operator is the United States Army. Plans call for the procurement of nearly 3,000 vehicles to fully replace the M113 armored personnel carrier across the active and reserve component force structure. Key units scheduled for fielding include various Armored Brigade Combat Teams within the III Armored Corps at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. There has been no announcement of foreign military sales, though allied nations operating the M113 armored personnel carrier, such as Chile, Greece, and the Philippines, could be potential future customers.

Specifications

The vehicle utilizes a powertrain based on a MTU diesel engine coupled with an Allison Transmission system, shared with the M2 Bradley. It is equipped with the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below digital networking suite for situational awareness. Standard armament includes either an M2 Browning machine gun or a Mk 19 grenade launcher mounted on a Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station. Protection levels are significantly higher than its predecessor, with modular armor packages and a design tested against STANAG ballistic and blast threats. Its gross vehicle weight and mobility characteristics are comparable to the M2 Bradley, ensuring it can keep pace with formations centered on the M1 Abrams main battle tank across diverse terrain.

Category:Armoured personnel carriers of the United States Category:BAE Systems military vehicles Category:Tracked military vehicles