BAE Systems is collaborating with Forterra to expedite the development of a self-driving version of the U.S. Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV). This partnership represents the first external collaboration under BAE’s newly initiated “capability kit” modernization initiative. The announcement was made on September 30, 2023.
The collaboration aims to deliver a prototype of an autonomous AMPV by 2026, followed by a demonstration. This approach seeks to reduce the traditionally lengthy development cycle into a timeframe that aligns more closely with commercial technology advancements.
The announcement highlights the increasing urgency in the defense industry to adapt battlefield vehicles to address complex, multi-domain threats. Bill Sheehy, BAE’s ground maneuver product line director, emphasized that this partnership is focused on providing practical options that help the Army maintain its dominance on the battlefield.
The AMPV is a tracked vehicle intended to replace the aging M113 family of vehicles. It plays a crucial role in the Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Teams, working alongside other BAE-manufactured vehicles like the Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Paladin self-propelled howitzers.
Forterra will contribute its AutoDrive system, a modular, full-stack autonomous driving platform that has already been implemented across various vehicle types. The companies claim the software’s open architecture is designed for interoperability, allowing the Army to integrate different payloads and missions beyond the AMPV.
Patrick Acox, Forterra’s vice president of defense growth, noted that AutoDrive facilitates stronger networks and more intelligent operations, providing the infrastructure necessary to support the AMPV capability kit. He expressed optimism that the collaboration would enhance national security.
This initiative echoes a broader trend in defense procurement, with the Pentagon urging contractors to provide more rapid solutions and design modular systems that can be updated without starting from scratch. The Army is interested in capability kits—bolt-on technology packages that can be developed and integrated quickly—to ensure vehicles remain effective against emerging threats, such as drones and electronic warfare.
In a statement released last month, BAE announced its intention to invest in producing various technologically advanced prototypes of the AMPV, equipped with different capability kits. The company stated that these strategic agreements are aimed at driving combat vehicle innovation to expedite the pace of advancements beyond potential adversaries.
Adding autonomous capabilities could enhance the vehicle’s function in high-risk missions, such as resupply, casualty evacuation, or reconnaissance, without endangering crew members. The technology developed through this partnership is not limited to the AMPV; it could also be adapted for the Bradley A4 and the M109A7 Paladin, which are also integral to the Armored Brigade Combat Teams.
Jen Judson, the author of this article, is an award-winning journalist focused on land warfare for Defense News, with a Master of Science in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts from Kenyon College.
