GDLS Wins MPF Contract

The US Army has selected the GRIFFIN II from General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) for the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle programme and has entered into a production contract for up to 96 vehicles valued at US$1.14 Bn (€1.09 Bn), GDLS has announced. The vehicles produced under the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) scheme will primarily be used for verification and operational testing by the force and finalisation of the configuration.

MPF is one of five projects in the Next Generation Combat Vehicle programme, led by Army Futures Command, to accelerate the procurement of critical combat vehicles for Brigade Combat teams. With MPF, major infantry units are to receive a light tank with high firepower.

Chosen Platform

Like the ASCOD, the GRIFFIN II is derived from the Spanish PIZARRO, weighs about 38 tonnes and is powered by an 800-kW MTU diesel. The turret is a scaled-down variant of the M1 ABRAMS turret with a 105-mm XM35 on-board gun, 7.62-mm coaxial MG, 12.7-mm MG at the commander’s position and a fire control system as used in the SEPv3 and soon SEPv4 MBTs. For reconnaissance and firefighting, the commander and gunner have dual-axis stabilised day/night optics and a laser rangefinder, enabling a hunter-killer capability. According to GDLS, two MPF can be carried in a C-17 GLOBEMASTER for strategic airlift operations.

An initial MPF capability is to be achieved from 2025. The total requirement is stated at 504 vehicles.

Next Generation Combat Vehicle

• Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), successor to M2 BRADLEYIFV.
• Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), successor to M113.
• Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF), light tank for Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT).
• Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV), light, medium and heavy unmanned ground vehicle.
• Decisive Lethality Platform (DLP), successor to M1 ABRAMS MBT.