The U.S. Army has received a test batch of AMPV tracked vehicles equipped with a combat module with a 30 mm cannon, effectively making them analogous to the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, on which the AMPV is based.
This was reported by The War Zone.
Two vehicles have been delivered to the 1st Cavalry Division. Their development, production and delivery were funded by BAE Systems for testing.
The evaluation of the AMPV 30 variant is being conducted under the Transformation In Contact (TIC) 2.0 initiative, aimed at the rapid introduction of new capabilities as well as associated tactics, techniques and procedures.
At the same time, the U.S. Army does not currently plan to procure this modification.
In 2014, the AMPV based on the Bradley platform was selected to replace the outdated M113 armored personnel carrier family and related vehicles.
The current program includes five main AMPV variants without cannon armament: the M1283 general-purpose vehicle, the M1284 medical evacuation vehicle, the M1285 medical treatment vehicle, the M1286 command post variant, and the M1287 mortar carrier.
The test configuration is equipped with the MCT-30 remotely operated combat module produced by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence. It features a Mk 44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon and a modern fire control system with electro-optical and infrared sensors.
The U.S. Marine Corps is already procuring a version of the wheeled amphibious combat vehicle ACV 8×8 with a similar module. BAE Systems is also the prime contractor for this program.
The AMPV with the MCT-30 module was first publicly demonstrated in 2024. At that time, the turret was additionally fitted with a Javelin anti-tank missile launcher.
Separately, BAE Systems is developing an “External Mission Equipment Package” (ExMEP), which involves installing a new upper hull plate for rapid integration of various combat modules. According to the company, the system can support more than 30 types of turrets.
Previously, variants with a 120 mm self-propelled mortar and a short-range air defense system were also demonstrated on the AMPV platform.
