At Day 2 of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition 2025 in Washington D.C., the U.S. Army unveiled a suite of next-generation ground combat platforms and technologies. The spotlight was on modernization efforts across manned armored vehicles, robotic systems with varying levels of autonomy, and advanced artillery capabilities aimed at multi-domain operations.
XM30 OMFV Prototype Makes Public Debut
The centerpiece of AUSA Day 2 was the public unveiling of the first full-scale prototype of the XM30 Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), formerly known as the Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV). Developed under a $1.6 billion contract awarded in mid-2023 to American Rheinmetall Vehicles and its Team Lynx consortium (including Textron Systems and Raytheon Technologies), the XM30 is intended to replace the aging M2 Bradley IFV.
The prototype displayed at AUSA features a modular open systems architecture (MOSA), allowing rapid integration of new sensors and weapons. It mounts a 50 mm XM913 Bushmaster chain gun in an unmanned turret supplied by Raytheon/Rheinmetall. The vehicle also integrates advanced active protection systems (APS), likely based on Rheinmetall’s StrikeShield or a derivative thereof.
Key features include:
- Hybrid-electric propulsion for improved silent mobility
- AI-enabled target recognition and threat prioritization
- Capacity for remote or autonomous operation in certain mission sets
- Crew capacity up to six dismounts plus three crew
The XM30 is expected to enter limited user testing by late FY2026 with fielding projected for FY2030 pending successful trials.
Robotic Combat Vehicles Advance Toward Fielding
AUSA 2025 also highlighted progress on Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) programs—particularly RCV-Light and RCV-Medium variants being developed under separate OTA agreements with General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Textron Systems respectively.
GDLS showcased its updated RCV-Light demonstrator equipped with a Javelin anti-tank missile launcher and a Kongsberg RS6 remote weapon station mounting a .50 cal machine gun. The platform demonstrated semi-autonomous navigation using GPS-denied SLAM algorithms during pre-show trials at Fort Liberty.
Textron’s RCV-Medium variant uses an open architecture chassis derived from its M5 RIPSAW lineage but now includes provisions for loitering munition launchers such as AeroVironment Switchblade or UVision Hero series.
The Army plans to conduct operational experimentation with platoon-sized units integrating both RCV types alongside manned platforms like Abrams SEPv4 tanks by FY2027 under Project Convergence capstone events.
AMPV Updates Reflect Evolving Threat Environment
The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), which began low-rate initial production in 2020 by BAE Systems as a replacement for legacy M113s, received notable updates at AUSA this year. BAE presented new mission variants including:
- Medevac version with upgraded CBRN filtration system for contested environments
- Tactical Command Post variant integrating resilient mesh networking radios compatible with CMOSS standards
- A proposed SHORAD variant mounting an M230LF chain gun paired with Stinger/HELLFIRE interceptors on a modular launcher rack
The SHORAD configuration reflects growing demand for mobile air defense solutions against Group I/II UAVs and cruise missile threats in maneuver formations—a capability gap exposed during recent conflicts in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Artillery Modernization Continues With ERCA & Autoloader Tech
The Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) program continues to be central to long-range precision fires modernization under PEO Missiles & Space. At AUSA 2025, Picatinny Arsenal engineers displayed an updated XM1299 prototype featuring:
- An autoloader capable of sustained rates exceeding 10 rounds per minute
- A redesigned breech assembly compatible with XM1113 RAP rounds
- A new fire control system integrating AI-assisted ballistic computation from Palantir software modules
This iteration addresses reliability issues observed during FY24 testing at Yuma Proving Ground where autoloader jams were reported after extended firing sequences. The goal remains achieving consistent effects beyond 70 km using precision-guided munitions like Excalibur S or future ramjet-assisted shells currently under DARPA development.
Tactical Autonomy Demonstrators Highlight AI Integration Push
A recurring theme across all platforms was increasing reliance on tactical autonomy—both for navigation in GPS-contested environments and sensor fusion across distributed battlefield nodes. Notable demonstrations included:
- Sierra Nevada Corporation’s AI-enabled route planning module integrated into RCV-Medium testbeds using reinforcement learning techniques trained on synthetic terrain data sets from One World Terrain (OWT)
- NVIDIA-powered edge processors embedded aboard AMPV command variants enabling real-time ISR fusion from EO/IR drones via Link-16/MIDS-JTRS datalinks
- An experimental “autonomous resupply mule” developed by Carnegie Robotics capable of following infantry squads using vision-based convoy logic without GPS dependence—tested successfully at Fort Irwin earlier this year
Industry Implications and Procurement Outlook Post-AUSA 2025
The systems showcased signal not only technological maturation but also growing alignment between industry offerings and emerging doctrine such as Multi-Domain Operations (MDO) and Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2). However, budgetary constraints remain significant amid rising sustainment costs across legacy fleets such as Abrams tanks and Stryker brigades.
The Pentagon is expected to finalize procurement decisions for OMFV Increment I by Q3 FY2026 following soldier touchpoint evaluations scheduled throughout CY2025–26. Meanwhile, competition among vendors like GDLS vs Textron vs Oshkosh Defense remains intense across unmanned ground vehicle portfolios—with potential downselects looming by early FY27 based on performance metrics gathered during Project Convergence events.
