$1.14 Billion for Low-Rate Initial Production

The US Army has selected the General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) candidate as the winner for the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) requirement. A low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract has been awarded, valued at $1.14 billion. The award also includes test support, logistics support and systems technical support.

MPF is destined to provide enhanced firepower for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) and is, to all intents and purposes, a light tank. The GDLS offering is a highly lethal, survivable and mobile direct-fire combat vehicle that melds recently-developed and battle-tested designs to dominate ground threats on the multi-domain battlefield. The MPF vehicle houses a four-person crew and features an enhanced thermal viewer, a large-calibre cannon, a lightweight hull and turret, and a modern diesel engine, transmission and suspension system. It has been designed from the start for capability upgrades, based on future operational needs.

MPF will be the Army’s first new-design tank in over 40 years and MON understands the initial requirement is for 26 vehicles, with GDLS on the hook for a total of 96 as the contract unfolds. The Army’s stated requirement is for 504 vehicles, with which it intends to equip four battalions (approx. 168 vehicles) by 2030. The first LRIP vehicle is due to be delivered by the end of 2023 and the first MPF-equipped battalion could be stood up some time in 2025.

“Our team worked tirelessly to deliver our prototypes in time to support the Army’s evaluation plan, and we incorporated soldier feedback into the final design […] The MPF vehicle has been purpose-built for the IBCTs to give them decisive lethality, mobility and survivability on current and future battlefields,” commented Gordon Stein, GDLS VP/GM for US Operations.