By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization
“Deliver Decisive Strike While Controlling Maneuver Robotics and Semi-Autonomous Systems” were defining words used by the US Army to describe its emerging new XM30 Infantry Combat Vehicle .. upon releasing a “Concept Only” image.
The image is cutting edge and intense, and while it of course by design does not favor one contractor or competitor over another, it shows the kind of sleek, protected, lethal looking chassis likely to inform the ultimate XM30 design. The effort is now amid intense evaluation and competition between General Dynamics Land Systems and a team of weapons developers led by American Rheinmetall Vehicles.
“In the close fight, the XM30 will enable the ability of squads to maneuver by detecting and destroying targets at a range beyond the enemy’s capability,” were words published along with the image by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Acquisition, Logistics and Technology.
While yes the vehicle is intended to replace the Bradley in a general sense and perform key missions know for the Bradley such as full-squad infantry delivery into combat under hostile fire, the XM30 massively expands the operational envelope for the new vehicle. Clearly the intent is to leverage and build upon a new generation of technologies which have emerged and been refined since the days of the Bradley, particularly in the realm of AI, Robotics, Networking and Command and Control on the move. As is often the case with these platforms during a developmental or evaluation phase, formal Army requirements for the vehicle are likely still being refined through testing … yet the Army announcement text does specify robotics and semi-autonomous operations.
This is as significant as it is not surprising, as the Army has in recent years been working intensely to advance and refine manned-unmanned teaming operations to better enable maneuver formations to surveil hostile areas, close with enemies, destroy enemy drones and armored vehicles and “resupply” moving armored formations. Unmanned systems, for instance, and deliver supplies and ammunition to forward advancing units, surveil high-threat areas under enemy fire without risk to soldiers and operate as a critical forward, multi-domain command and control node connecting manned combat vehicles with aerial drones, dismounted infantry and even command and control centers in real time.
Overall, the concept looks interesting but may not really indicate that much, as some of the most significant technological advances woven into the vehicle are not likely visible by looking at the exterior. Visible attributes shown in the Concept Image are reactive armor, small, sleek angular turret and crew-serve weapons station on top of the turret. One interesting question is it is difficult to discern if there is a ring-mount underneath the crew-served weapons station. Certainly targeting and attack controlling the weapon can be done within the vehicle with a Common Remotely Operated Weapons Station (CROWS), and the ICV is certain to operate something like that, however what remains unknown is whether the entire turret is unmanned or perhaps intended to support a solider manning the weapon through a ring mount. The vehicle may ultimately be both, meaning operate an unmanned turret and also provide an opening for a soldier to emerge.
Kris Osborn is the President of Warrior Maven – Center for Military Modernization and Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Masters Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.
