Tag Archives: OMFV

Ground Forces

Optionally Manned Vehicle

BAE Systems is teaming with Elbit Systems of America, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, and QinetiQ Inc. on its design for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV).

Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV)
BAE Systems announces partners for Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle design

The companies will work together to produce an innovative, purpose-built, next-generation combat vehicle designed to meet the U.S. Army’s requirements for an agile, lethal, and survivable solution that will help redefine land combat operations and maneuverability in future conflicts. The proposal was submitted to the U.S. Army earlier this month and on November 30, 2022, BAE Systems announced details of how the companies are collaborating.

BAE Systems and Elbit Systems of America are leveraging their extensive experience in the evaluation, demonstration, and validation of next generation combat systems. For OMFV, Elbit is providing its 50-mm Unmanned Turret (UT50), one of the most versatile armament configurations with multiple mission payloads and capabilities, which recently completed a successful live fire demonstration at the Aberdeen Test Center. The UT50 features a XM913 50-mm cannon and a high-capacity ammunition handling system.

The OMFV design will use a standardized, Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), designed by BAE Systems and Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. MOSA solutions are critical for enabling the customer to rapidly refresh technology to field new capabilities and meet emerging threats on the battlefield. The two companies are also providing vital electronics and control systems into the OMFV.

BAE Systems has invested in and collaborated with industry for more than 40 years to advance Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) technology. BAE Systems and QinetiQ Inc. are developing and integrating the HED technology with an electric cross-drive transmission, a key component of an HED system for tracked combat vehicles, to ensure the OMFV has the speed, reliability, and maneuverability necessary to dominate in the toughest battlefield conditions. QinetiQ Inc.’s Modular E-X-Drive transmission has been tested and proven in a wide range of tracked vehicles and weight classes over the last decade.

«The synergy from our diverse and highly capable team allows us to deliver the next-generation, transformational technology and capabilities our customer is looking for», said Andy Corea, vice president and general manager for BAE Systems Combat Mission Systems. «Together we have continually researched, developed, innovated, and delivered and we believe this team can provide a purpose-built vehicle with the winning solutions for future battlefields and, most importantly, for the men and women who put their lives on the line for us each and every day».

BAE Systems already has the expertise, infrastructure, and resources to deliver results for the U.S. Army’s OMFV platform, with plans to complete project elements at facilities across the U.S. that contribute a diverse set of workforce talent and manufacturing quality.

Ground Forces

Weapon System

Oshkosh Defense, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Armaments Center (DEVCOM) at Picatinny Arsenal.

Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS)
Oshkosh Defense partners with U.S. Army DEVCOM to develop, integrate, and test Medium Caliber Weapon Systems

Under the CRADA, Oshkosh Defense and DEVCOM will cooperate in the development, integration, and testing of innovative armament technologies to provide a transformative, next-generation lethality capability for the Warfighter. Additionally, the CRADA will enable both organizations to mature their technologies for eventual transition to direct fire medium caliber platforms such as the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV). Development activities will leverage the proven Oshkosh Defense Stryker Medium Caliber Weapon System (MCWS) 30-mm turret.

«We are already starting with a robust weapon system platform with our Stryker MCWS turret», said Pat Williams, Vice President and General Manager of U.S. Army and Marine Corps Program for Oshkosh Defense. «This CRADA allows us to explore additional weapon system capabilities and apply them to our OMFV solution to provide our Soldiers with the cutting edge technology required on the modern battlefield».

In June 2021, the U.S. Army selected Oshkosh Defense, Pratt Miller Defense, and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to provide a precision lethality capability to the Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs) as part of the Stryker MCWS program. Production of the Oshkosh Defense Stryker MCWS is expected to begin in Spring 2022. In July 2021, the U.S. Army also selected Oshkosh Defense to participate in the OMFV Concept Design Phase, which culminates in Q1FY23. Oshkosh Defense has partnered with Pratt Miller Defense, Hanwha Defense USA, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, QinetiQ Inc., and Plasan for the OMFV Concept Design Phase.