BAE Systems has conducted a successful live fire demonstration of its Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) prototype showcasing the potential for future capability expansion within the AMPV platform’s modular framework.
During realistic battlefield scenarios at the Big Sandy range in Kingman, Arizona, the AMPV C-UAS prototype showcased its ability to accurately detect, track, identify and defeat or disable stationary and moving aerial and ground targets. The exercise demonstrated the turret engaging with ground targets and utilizing a slew-to-cue capability to target both stationary and moving small drones with 30mm proximity rounds.
“From the earliest combat capability concept stage of the AMPV program, we intentionally designed a modular and flexible configuration to provide an adaptable and ready-for-growth platform for the warfighter,” said Bill Sheehy, BAE Systems AMPV program director.
“In just over one year, our successful collaboration with Moog on the C-UAS prototype showcased the art of the possible of what a rapid response from leading industry providers can drive. When it comes to setting the tone for future integration at a higher standard and better pace for Soldiers, this is just the beginning of what you’ll see from the AMPV.”
The Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting & Exposition in October showcased a versatile prototype that is part of the family of vehicles (FoV). The prototype was designed with the same proven chassis as the existing variants but also possesses the key enhancements of BAE Systems’ External Mission Equipment Package (ExMEP) top plate.
ExMEP has the capability to integrate future technologies and capabilities onto the AMPV at a swift pace. For instance, the U.S. Army’s already validated Manoeuvre-Short Range Air Defence (M-SHORAD) turret is one of the more than 30 turret systems that ExMEP can adapt. The ExMEP on the AMPV C-UAS prototype is configured with the Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) turret.
“The fully-integrated mission capability demonstrated in this RIwP equipment package on AMPV is ready now and poised to meet the current and future needs of our warfighters,” said Brandon Gollwitzer, Moog Inc. Turreted Weapon Systems general manager, United States.
Moog will supply and integrate the C-UAS weapon system. It includes Leonardo DRS’ Multi-Mission Hemispheric Radars (MHR), C2 systems, and Northrop Grumman’s XM914 30mm cannon, all of which are common to the M-SHORAD system.
In 2023, the AMPV program received a contract for full-rate production of five different variants and is currently deploying the FoV to Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) units. The AMPV is expected to be the foundation of the future of the Army and its allies, providing significant enhancements in power, mobility, interoperability, and survivability for soldiers.
