New models of military equipment and weapons are often developed taking into account foreign successes in the relevant field. In fact, new samples are becoming a response to the threat in the form of foreign counterparts. For example, the latest American program for the development of a multipurpose ground platform Mobile Protected Firepower ("Mobile protected firepower") looks from a certain point of view as a response to the Russian self-propelled anti-tank gun "Sprut-SD". It was in this light that the American project was considered by the Warrior Maven edition.
On September 7, the American Internet edition Warrior Maven published a new article by Chris Osborne titled "Army Plans Prototype New" Light Tank "Mobile Protected Firepower-2020" - "The army plans to build a prototype of a new" light tank "Mobile Protected Firepower". On the same day, the article was reprinted by The National Interest, and this time it received a new, louder title: "1 Way the Army Plans to Make Sure It Can Beat Russia In a Land War" ("The only way for the army to defeat Russia in a land war "). The content of both publications is identical.
In a subtitle to the original article, the author indicated that the new American project has a simple goal. The finished Mobile Protected Firepower / MPF vehicle should surpass similar models of the Russian army.
K. Osborne recalls that in the coming years, the US Army intends to develop and build a promising armored combat vehicle that can change the face of land warfare. It will have to fight its Russian counterparts, as well as support the infantry on the battlefield, dramatically increasing its combat potential.
The US military leadership previously explained the prerequisites for the emergence of the MPF project. Precise long-range fire, airstrikes, collisions between ground combat vehicles and the widespread use of UAVs are rapidly changing the battlefield. In this regard, the American army needs improved ground vehicles to fight a developed enemy.
Earlier this year, Ricky Smith, the deputy chief of staff of the G9 Command of Combat Training and Doctrine Development, of the US Army, revealed some details of the promising project to Warrior Maven. According to him, the MPF car will be useful, including due to the possibility of working off-road. At the same time, high mobility helps to effectively use protection and firepower, since it becomes possible to detect and attack the enemy before a retaliatory strike, which can deprive your armored vehicle of mobility.
R. Smith then did not indicate the exact parameters of the future MPF machine, but noted that at present, experts are looking for the optimal ratio of the three main parameters included in the name of the program. It is necessary to find the best balance between mobility, level of protection and weapon power. At the same time, according to K. Osborne, the top leadership of the US Army believes that the MPF will surpass Russian equipment of its class in terms of survivability and firepower.
The Russian self-propelled anti-tank gun 2S25 "Sprut-SD" is considered as an analogue and rival for Mobile Protected Firepower. This vehicle has a combat weight of about 20 tons and is armed with a 125-mm smooth-bore gun-launcher. "Sprut-SD" is designed to combat enemy tanks and provide fire support to airborne or infantry units. The Russian self-propelled gun has been in service since 2005.
TO. Osborne recalls the statements of American armored vehicle makers. They argue that the MPF machine of their design is likely to be heavier than the Russian Sprut-SD, which will provide an advantage in the level of protection.
In hypothetical combat operations against a developed enemy, which has modern technology with effective means of detection, high-precision weapons and air support, the army needs appropriate mobile ground-based means of providing fire support. This role has now been given to the main M1 Abrams tanks, which are heavily armored and carry a 120mm gun. However, the mass and mobility of such equipment may not be suitable for the conditions and limitations of some situations.
Commenting on the MPF project, R. Smith recalled the formation of new units such as the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT), which will have to work in a variety of conditions. They need armored vehicles with high mobility, as well as powerful protection and weapons. Knowing the capabilities of a potential enemy and taking into account the main risks, the army wants to equip the IBCT with armored vehicles of the Mobile Protected Firepower type. The latter should actually close the existing niche in which the existing samples of military equipment cannot work.
K. Osborne notes that the future MPF is often called a light tank, but this definition is not entirely true. According to official information, the goal of the project is to create a promising platform with weapons for direct fire and infantry support. All this does not fully correspond to the definition of a light tank.
The project focuses on high strategic mobility and the ability to transport equipment by military transport aircraft. So, immediately two proposed options for the MPF project from different companies provide for the possibility of loading such equipment into the C-17 aircraft. The author points out that strategic mobility is of particular importance when working in areas such as Europe. The fact is that in this region, Russian troops, including the "Octopus-SD", find themselves at a minimum distance from parts of the United States and NATO.
The author suggests that IBCT units on the battlefield may face a number of threats, such as columns of armored vehicles, precision weapons, artillery, etc. To combat such threats, advantages in detection and destruction range are needed, which will allow an earlier strike. At the same time, one can observe how the requirements for armored vehicles for the ground forces have changed by now. According to current views, armored combat vehicles of the future should have the firepower of tanks and the mobility of light samples in order to move with the infantry.
Currently, the US defense industry is studying the technical requirements for Mobile Protected Firepower, and is also looking for the most acceptable options for the appearance of such equipment. In 2019, the Pentagon plans to review the submitted projects and select the two most successful ones. Their developers will receive a contract for further development work. Within 14 months after the signing of contracts, contractors will have to submit prototypes of equipment.
K. Osborne writes that the customer can adjust his requirements as the project develops, but the main features of the future armored vehicle have already been determined. According to the portal Globalsecurity.org, the MPF projects should include stabilized artillery weapons and optoelectronic systems capable of operating at any time of the day and in any weather.
Contestant developers include BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems. They are competitors and plan to compete with each other, which is why they are in no hurry to disclose the details of their projects.
In parallel with the process of creating new technology, the army intends to focus on another issue. It plans to pursue a "bidirectional acquisition strategy."The command intends to preserve the existing models of weapons and equipment, to which completely new ones will gradually be added. As a consequence, the structure of the armed forces and their materiel should be such as not to hinder the integration of new products.
A search was made for technologies that could give the new MPF the required capabilities and provide advantages over the enemy. First of all, the possibility of using light combined armoring, active protection complexes and modern high-resolution optoelectronic devices is being considered. It is also proposed to use automated computing systems capable of taking over part of the crew's work.
The possibility of combining several functions in one device is being considered. For example, one device can perform the functions of a video and infrared camera, electromagnetic sensor, etc. All data from different elements of the device will be fed into the computer and used, including when generating data for shooting.
Discussing this topic, R. Smith pointed out that combined devices can have a positive effect on the characteristics of technology. For example, in desert conditions, problems may arise with the use of infrared equipment, in which case the data should be collected with the help of other means capable of continuing to work. In different conditions, an armored vehicle may need all available types of sensors and surveillance equipment.
According to Chris Osborne, the Center for Research and Development for Communication Technology (CERDEC) is already engaged in the creation of combined surveillance tools that combine different devices. At the same time, such funds are created not just for MPF armored vehicles, but as part of a larger and longer-term Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) program. According to current plans, the result of the NGCV program will be the emergence of a wide range of different combat and support vehicles on a common platform. Such equipment will have to get into the troops no earlier than the end of the twenties.
Another of the main issues of the promising MPF program is the creation of a weapon with suitable characteristics. Armament for such a vehicle must have a sufficiently high firepower, but at the same time differ in acceptable size and weight. The weapon should not impair the mobility on the ground and the strategic mobility of its carrier.
According to the Combat Vehicle Modernization Strategy document, which determines the further ways of modernizing the armored combat vehicles of the US Army, it is necessary to ensure the integration of powerful 120-mm tank guns on relatively light platforms. In particular, the experimental XM360 cannon, previously created for the promising Future Combat Systems armored vehicle, can be used in this capacity. Currently, this weapon is being considered in the context of the NGCV program or the modernization of existing tanks. At the same time, it may be of interest to the developers of the new Mobile Protected Firepower project.
The XM360 project used a number of new technologies and engineering solutions, due to which it was possible to reduce the recoil momentum from a relatively powerful 120-mm unitary shot. Thanks to this, it could be used on lightweight platforms with limited performance.
Earlier, some of the design features of a promising weapon were announced. The project involved the use of a barrel heat shield and a muzzle brake. The barrel group was assembled from several units, the installation for it had a modular design and included hydropneumatic recoil devices. A wedge gate with an external electric drive was used.
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The goal of the current Mobile Protected Firepower program is to create a promising armored vehicle that combines effective protection, weapons and high mobility. By now, the Pentagon has presented the terms of reference for the project, and the companies participating in the program have begun design work.
Three companies expressed their desire to create a promising model of armored vehicles. BAE Systems presented for the competition a seriously modified M8 AGS light tank, originally developed for one of the previous American programs. General Dynamics Land Systems is running a project called Griffin. Science Applications International Corporation unveiled its MPF variant last year, based on an older Next Generation Armored Fighting Vehicle light tank project. Currently, the companies are engaged in testing and fine-tuning of promising samples.
Next year, the Pentagon will have to choose two of the most successful models of technology, which will be further developed. In the mid-twenties, the US Army plans to equip the first unit with MPF-type armored vehicles. In the future, new parts and connections will be transferred to such equipment. According to current plans, each car of the new model should cost no more than $ 6-6.5 million. It is planned to purchase about 500 units of such equipment.
The companies-contestants have already presented their versions of Mobile Protected Firepower, but the search for ideas and technologies for fulfilling the technical task continues. Such a technique must have special characteristics and capabilities, which leads to the need to use new components, including those that have not yet been created. Will it be possible to solve the assigned tasks, and what the real MPF armored vehicle will be for the troops - it will be known later.
