What will the US Army’s RCVs-Light feature?
Textron RIPSAW M3 is among the designs selected by the US Army. (Photo: Textron Defense)
Modularity, open systems architecture, transportability, advanced technology and growth potential are among the main US Army requirements to select the designs of four companies as part of the Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-Light) Middle Tier Acquisition – Rapid Prototyping programme capability.
The RCV-Light is intended to deliver increased situational awareness, lethality and tactical options for army formations in support of multi-domain operations. Its operators will remotely control the platforms or task them to operate semi-autonomously.
The service has recently awarded $24.72 million in Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) to Textron Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), Oshkosh Defense and McQ. Under the RCV-Light Phase I, the suppliers will each provide two platform prototypes by August 2024.
Textron’s design is based on the RIPSAW M3 robotic vehicle technology demonstrator, which was unveiled in the AUSA 2022 exhibition.
Speaking to Shephard, David
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Daily news round-up email service
- Access to all Decisive Edge email newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Land Warfare
-
![Sweden takes delivery of first M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system]()
Sweden takes delivery of first M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system
The most recent nation to join NATO has joined other member nations in using the M3 system.
-
![CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent]()
CV90 delivery to Slovakia imminent
Slovakia is undergoing a radical refresh of its equipment, like many central and eastern European countries, and the arrival of new vehicles will form a substantial part of this.
-
![Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace]()
Mortar mobility: Patria’s TREMOS takes aim at the modern battlespace
In conversation... Patria’s Lauri Pauniaho talks to Shephard's Gerrard Cowan about how high mobility levels are essential for mortar systems in the face of modern counter-battery fire, and how a new platform-agnostic module can combine existing vehicles and mortar barrels into a cost-effective new weapon system.
-
![BAE Systems to continue work on active protection system for US Army]()
BAE Systems to continue work on active protection system for US Army
BAE Systems Multi-Class Soft Kill System (MCSKS) countermeasure system has been designed to provide protection without the need for kinetic effort and will reduce the logistic chain required for protection.
-
![Lockheed Martin will complete first PrSM contract this year]()
Lockheed Martin will complete first PrSM contract this year
Lockheed Martin has received four production contracts for its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) for the US Army which add to the types of missiles used by M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and similar weapons.
-
![First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year]()
First upgraded Turkish Leopard with APS to be delivered this year
Turkey has experienced losses of tanks in Syria including Leopards to anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). A new active protection system (APS) will reduce the likelihood of such attacks being effective.
