BAE Systems reveals its design of U.S. Army’s future light tank

Global defense company BAE Systems revealed the design of a highly agile, armor-protected platform developed under the U.S. Army’s Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program.

BAE Systems has released an infographic of the approved version of a new combat vehicle required by the Army to provide the infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) with a protected platform capable of delivering overwhelming precisionfirepower combined with the ability to move rapidly in a variety of terrain conditions.

According to a released infographic, the new light tank equipped with 105mm cannon, and an auto-loading ammunition system that allows the gun to fire at a rate of 12 rounds per minute. It is also fitted with heavy and medium machine guns.

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The new combat vehicle leverages investments the Army made in the M8 Armored Gun System, including its low-profile design, and proven technologies. The innovative roll-out powerpack design allows for easy access to the engine and transmission without the aid of heavy equipment.

It also integrates scalable armor and innovative survivability subsystems to protect the vehicle and crew from threats on the future battlefield. The metal bolt-on armor system provides field repairable, or replacement.

The vehicle employs situational awareness systems adding to the highest levels of survivability and crew protection. The compact design allows for multiple vehicle deployment on a C-17 and exceeds the Army’s transport requirement and it is sustainable within the IBCT.

In addition, the U.S. Army has announced that a new light tank for the U.S. infantry hits the next phase of evaluation.

According to a statement issued on 11 December by Ashley John, the first of several pre-production Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) ground combat platforms are being delivered to Fort Bragg, N.C. to be used in the Soldier Vehicle Assessment (SVA).

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Executive Editor

About author:

Colton Jones
Colton Jones
Colton Jones is the deputy editor of Defence Blog. He is a US-based journalist, writer and publisher who specializes in the defense industry in North America and Europe. He has written about emerging technology in military magazines and elsewhere. He is a former Air Force airmen and served at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

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