The U.S. Army is shifting towards a more layered approach to protecting combat vehicles and formations, moving away from solely relying on active protection systems. Army Futures Command is working on a Formation Layered Protection requirement, seeking feedback at the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference.
Various approaches are being considered to protect dismounted soldiers, vehicles, and formations, including masking vehicles or using both active and passive protection tactics. The goal is to determine the optimal mix for a formation to protect itself and others from threats.
Different companies have developed active protection systems for tanks and combat vehicles, with varying degrees of success. The Army is exploring innovative solutions, such as robotic vehicles to protect platforms within a unit.
The Army is looking into non-kinetic solutions and low-cost options to enhance protection capabilities. Some companies at the AUSA exposition have unveiled new technologies to address evolving threats, such as top-attack and loitering munitions. This includes kits designed to augment force protection based on real-world data.
General Dynamics Land Systems is working on reducing the electromagnetic signature of vehicles and presenting a robotic vehicle with spoofing technology to confuse adversaries. These developments highlight the changing landscape of the protection market for military vehicles.
