US Army plans to replace Bradley with a new BMP XM30: What is known about the machine

This was reported on June 26 by Defense One. The authors of the material write that the cost of contracts will be about $ 1. 6 billion, and the total cost of the program was previously estimated at $ 45 billion. GDLS and Rheinmetall, which will develop XM30 in the final round of the competition, have already presented digital projects and now have to create 11 prototypes of testing machines.

According to Major General Glenn Dean, both companies will continue to develop their projects and begin the creation of prototypes in the first quarter of 2025, and the first research samples will be set in 18-24 months. The choice of two finalists instead of one winner is unusual, but this step is aimed at obtaining the most competitive final product, the Pentagon said.

XM30 will be armed with a 50mm gun, machine guns and anti-tank missiles and will be protected by integrated active protection systems and signature controls. Integrated active protection systems are designed to intercept anti -tank missiles, and the capabilities of signature management are aimed at reducing the ability of the enemy to detect the machine by infrared, thermal and other sensors. The XM30 crew consists of two people who perform the duties of the commander, the gunner and the driver.

Thus, the number of crew decreased by one person. The car will be able to carry six soldiers - as much as Braldley. Regarding the power plant, it is only known that XM30 will be the first BMP with a hybrid electric engine that will allow the machine to operate at idle silently. In addition, the quiet idle stroke saves fuel and reduces thermal and noise signatures that can produce the location of the enemy machine.

The observers emphasized that the machine was stated as an "optional man-made combat machine", but current plans do not allow you to talk about an unmanned BMP, the so-called "killer robot". Although more autonomous functions may appear as the machine is designed. "This is not what we expect in 2029, when we will fight completely without personnel," said General Din. We will remind, on June 27 the Pentagon will announce a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth about $ 500 million.