Military

First Advanced Multi-Purpose Vehicles set for delivery to US Army

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The AMPV comes in five variants
BAE Systems
The AMPV comes in five variants
BAE Systems
The AMPV has improved survivability
BAE Systems
The AMPV has advanced digital electonics
BAE Systems
The AMPV replaces Vietnam War-era M113 vehicles
BAE Systems
The AMPV has reactive armor tiles
BAE Systems
The AMPV is a key part of the US Army's modernization program
BAE Systems
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The first Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) from BAE Systems is ready for delivery to the US Army. On August 31, 2020, the first of the vehicles that will replace the Army's Vietnam War-era M113s rolled off of the production line.

One of the constants of the modern military is that some equipment becomes obsolete before it's even finished being deployed, while others remain in service for decades. Now, it's the turn of the US Army's vintage M113s to make way for the new AMPVs, which are being manufactured in five variants as part of the Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT Network Modernization Strategy. Based on a common design, each of the AMPV variants draw on technology developed for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the M109A7 Self Propelled Howitzer, and the Army will accept 450 of the machines under the present contract.

The AMPV has advanced digital electonics
BAE Systems

The variants of the AMPV include the Mission Command vehicle, which uses advanced digital satellite technology for command and control functions; a General Purpose vehicle for resupply, maintenance, and alternate casualty evacuation; a Mortar Carrier to provide artillery support; a Medical Evacuation vehicle for immediate treatment and evacuation; and a Medical Treatment vehicle that is an “operating room on tracks.”

Each of these variants shares advanced electronics and an improved power generation system to support emerging technologies. They also have reactive armor tiles that ward off incoming explosive warheads with counter blasts, thickened under-armor to protect against mines, and automatic fire suppression systems. There's also greater visibility for the driver, improved network connectivity, and Beyond Line-of-Sight capability.

"Finalizing the first AMPV for delivery marks a major milestone for the program and the U.S. Army," says Bill Sheehy, AMPV program director for BAE Systems’s Ground Vehicles product line. "The AMPV is designed to meet the Army’s missions for the Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT), and lay the foundation for the future of the battlefield."

The video below shows the roll-off ceremony for the AMPV.

Source: BAE Systems

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7 comments
DavidB
I shudder to think what each of these 450 (!) behemoths will cost us. Funny how we Americans never seem to object to our tax money being spent in new tools for waging war but are (under the current administration, at least) cutting back on spending to help people live better, healthier lives, not to mention getting a better education and having a safe place to live and enough food to eat.
riczero-b
If the US military redesigned the bicycle it would end up twice the size, 4 times the weight, and costing 16 times as much. And someone would get a medal for commissioning it.
Engphys
Great to see the 113 pass into history. When i was in the hospital after Desert Storm One saw too many troops with stainless steel lattices on the shoulder/arms healing from being tossed into the sides of the open top of the 113 trying to keep up with the much better suspended Abrams and Bradley (C@C rode open top with RTO ).
Nelson Hyde Chick
It boggles my mind to think about all the resources spent on ways to kill one another, and how a better world we would have it those resources will utilized to benefit life on this planet.
Seasherm
Without sizes and weights, this article isn't that useful. Sorry, David. This beast looks ginormous. I can see it trying to drive the streets of Falluja. Bigger isn't necessarily better people.
Daishi
War and the machines of war have a high cost but war has been a constant theme though all of human history and that will continue being the case long after we are gone. Even if humanity manages to explore the solar system and populate other planets, the next thing that will happen is we will fight over it.
Bengal 36Alpha
I don't think anyone outside the RC has had the M113 in years (decades?). APC stood for Armored Personnel Carrier. Do any of the 5 AMPV variants actually transport combat personnel? In VN I was a plt ldr of an ACAV (modified 113) plt. Yes, a rib-buster. I had to medevac a gunner once after a "hard ride." FYI a mortar is not artillery. I'd suggest "indirect fire support" instead.