Army Looks to Revamp Vehicle Plans in Rapid‑Changing Tech World

The Army is shaking up its vehicle plans as new tech moves fast. Senior official John Jolokai says the service should not wait five years to check the market. A recent request for information (RFI) asked industry for quick designs of tracked cars that weigh 40‑80 tons. The Army wants ten prototypes by year’s end and could buy up to 2, 500 vehicles a year. The RFI does not mention the XM30 infantry vehicle, but analysts think it signals a review of that program. The Army says it is testing many designs to stay competitive and deliver a top‑class vehicle today. Some suppliers are confident their prototypes will be ready this summer. One partner, Jim Schirmer of American Rheinmetall, says the Army is always looking for better options. He believes his team and General Dynamics are ahead of anyone else, so the RFI is not a threat.

Both companies say they will deliver prototypes on schedule. Other programs may change too. The Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program is moving to a commercial solutions model. Four companies already built prototypes and now await a final request for proposals. The Army hopes the new model will speed up delivery. Jolokai says the CTT might end up with several different truck types for six missions. He sees this as a chance to use industry strengths. But Schirmer warns that awarding different makers could lose the “common” feature of the truck family. He says it’s a trade‑off between specialization and uniformity. The Army plans to coordinate timelines across the entire force. It wants to use commercial products that can be produced fast and cheaply. The goal is a better, faster system for soldiers on the ground.

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