Army evaluates GCV alternative vehicles
The Army is evaluating commercial alternatives to the Ground Combat Vehicle development at Fort Bliss, according to an article plublished at Defense Update. A number of soldiers from Fort Benning's Battle Lab are evaluating the Swedish CV90, the Israeli Namer, and a BAE Systems turretless Bradley in comparison against a US-standard Bradley Fighting Vehicle and Stryker Double-V Hull. The effort is part of a parallel evaluation to the development contracts awarded to BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems.
Soldier comments included:
“Maneuverability was my focus,” said Spc. Michael Platzer, a driver. “The CV9035 was the most responsive, but the two Bradleys were a close second. I found that the vehicles with a three-man crew allowed us to maneuver and fight better, and they were still capable of carrying a whole squad.”
Sgt. Nehemiah Robertson, a gunner, said he identified a target at 1,500 meters in the Swedish CV9035 vehicle but also liked the Bradley’s sights capability. Both delivered great firepower. ”We liked the bigger-gun capabilities,” Manilla said. “Any vehicle without a large cannon to destroy armored vehicles gave us some challenges because it forced the Soldiers to dismount.”
A US turretless Bradley, Swedish CV9035 and Israeli Namer line up for evaluation at Ft. Bliss US, June 2012. Photo: US Army
More photos at the Defense Update link above, and at the Army.mil Article.
