The Pentagon wants next-generation armored vehicles that are more mobile, maneuverable and survivable — but without more armor.
In September, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
will host a proposer’s day to give potential contractors a more clear
idea of what the Defense Department wants in its Ground X-Vehicle
Technologies program.
“GXV-T’s goal is not just to improve or replace one particular
vehicle — it’s about breaking the ‘more armor’ paradigm and
revolutionizing protection for all armored fighting vehicles,” Kevin
Massey, DARPA program manager, said in an Aug. 18 press release.
Historically, militaries and industry have responded to improved or
more lethal attacks on its armored vehicles by adding more armor. But
armor-piercing weapons technology has pretty much taken the day in that
competition, advancing faster than industry’s ability to come up with
armor to withstand penetration, Massey said.
The more heavily armored vehicles do increase the chances of crew survivability. The Congressional Research Service, citing DoD figures in 2009,
said the casualty rate for troops in an MRAP is 6 percent. For the M-1
Abrams, it’s about 15 percent and for the up-armored HMMWV — the Humvee —
it’s 22 percent.
But the additional armor and weight — some MRAPs will weigh up to 24
tons — has meant significant increases in vehicle mass and cost. And
that increased mass has meant sacrificing maneuverability on the
battlefield, where threat environments change. Larger vehicles are
limited to roads, demand more logistical support and are more expensive
to design, develop, field and replace, the DARPA release said.
As a result, the U.S. military is looking for so-called “disruptive”
innovations — technologies that change everything — to ensure
survivability of crew and vehicle in the next generation of armored
fighting vehicles, DARPA says.
The agency is looking for technologies that could be developed in 24
months and incorporated into a broad range of ground, tactical and
support vehicles following the successful completion of the program.
Massey said the GXV-T program was inspired by X-plane programs that
have been instrumental in improving aircraft capabilities over the past
six decades.
“We plan to pursue groundbreaking fundamental research and
development to help make future armored fighting vehicles significantly
more mobile, effective, safe and affordable,” Massey said.
The proposer’s day, which is being held in advance of the official
call for project proposals, will be at the DARPA Conference Center in
Arlington, Virginia, on Sept. 5, from 9 am to 3 pm. More information is
available here.