First XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle Prototype Due to US Army in 2026

The U.S. Army is set to receive its first prototype of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (formerly known as OMFV) from General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in early 2026. Designed to replace the aging M2 Bradley fleet, the XM30 represents a leap forward in lethality, survivability, and digital integration for future ground combat operations. The program is a cornerstone of the Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) portfolio and aims to field a modular platform ready for future threats.

XM30 Program Overview and Strategic Context

The XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program—initially launched as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV)—is part of a broader modernization effort under the U.S. Army Futures Command. It seeks to replace over 3,800 M2 Bradleys that have served since the early 1980s but are increasingly outmatched by modern threats.

Following multiple restarts and industry feedback cycles since its inception in 2018, the program entered Phase III (Detailed Design and Prototype Build) in mid-2023. In June 2023, GDLS was selected as one of two prime contractors—alongside American Rheinmetall Vehicles (ARV)—to develop detailed designs and build prototypes under contracts worth up to $1.6 billion each.

The first prototype delivery from GDLS is expected in Q1 2026 for government testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Bliss. A competitive downselect between GDLS and ARV is planned for FY2027 after extensive soldier touchpoints and operational assessments.

Design Philosophy: Modularity, Survivability & Digital Backbone

The XM30 is designed with a modular open systems architecture (MOSA), allowing rapid upgrades across sensors, weapons systems, protection suites, and computing hardware. This approach ensures long-term adaptability against evolving threats such as loitering munitions or EW attacks.

Key design features include:

Unmanned Turret: Housing a medium-caliber cannon (likely a 50mm XM913 Bushmaster), freeing up internal space for troops and reducing crew exposure.
Crew & Troop Capacity: Expected configuration includes a crew of three with space for six dismounts—mirroring or exceeding Bradley capabilities.
Active Protection System (APS): Integration-ready for systems like Iron Fist or Trophy to counter ATGMs and RPGs.
C4ISR Suite: Embedded battlefield network integration with advanced situational awareness tools including EO/IR sensors and AI-enabled target recognition.

The vehicle will also feature hybrid-electric drive options for improved fuel efficiency and reduced acoustic/thermal signature—though this capability may be phased depending on maturity at production time.

Lethality Enhancements Over Legacy Platforms

The XM30’s primary armament is expected to be the Northrop Grumman XM913—a next-generation chain gun firing programmable airburst munitions at up to 200 rounds per minute. This gives it significant overmatch against peer IFVs such as Russia’s BMP-3 or China’s ZBD-04A.

Additional lethality features include:

Loitering Munition Launchers: Potential integration with tube-launched drones or loitering munitions like Hero-120 for extended reach beyond line-of-sight targets.
ATGM Capability: Likely support for Javelin or future precision-guided anti-tank missiles via external launch pods.

This firepower package aims not only to defeat enemy armor but also suppress fortified positions while supporting dismounted infantry operations across contested environments—including urban terrain where APS and high-angle fire are critical.

Industrial Base Implications & Competitive Landscape

The selection of GDLS reinforces its dominant position within U.S. armored vehicle programs—already producing Stryker variants and Abrams MBTs. However, American Rheinmetall Vehicles remains a strong contender with its Lynx-based proposal developed alongside Textron Systems and Raytheon Technologies under Team Lynx USA.

This competition reflects broader industrial trends:

NATO Interoperability: Both contenders emphasize NATO-standard calibers (e.g., STANAG-compliant ammo) and datalink protocols like Link-16 or CMOSS compatibility.
Sustainment & MRO Focus: Emphasis on predictive maintenance through embedded diagnostics reduces lifecycle costs—a key concern after decades of Bradley sustainment challenges.

The program also serves as an anchor contract sustaining U.S.-based armored vehicle manufacturing capacity amid declining Abrams production rates post-M1A2 SEPv3 orders tapering off by late decade.

Path Ahead: Testing Milestones & Fielding Timeline

The current roadmap anticipates several key milestones before full-rate production begins around FY2030:

Q1–Q4 FY2026: Delivery of prototypes from GDLS; initial mobility/firepower trials at Aberdeen Proving Ground; soldier feedback events at Fort Bliss/McGregor Range Complex.
FY2027–FY2028: Downselect decision between GDLS vs ARV; Milestone C decision point based on test data; low-rate initial production award (~200 vehicles).
FY2030+: Full-rate production begins; first operational units equipped by ~2031–2032 timeframe depending on budget allocations via POM cycles.

If timelines hold—and barring congressional delays—the XM30 could become one of the most digitally integrated IFVs fielded globally by early next decade. Its success will hinge not only on platform performance but also training pipelines for crews unfamiliar with unmanned turrets or AI-enabled targeting workflows—a doctrinal shift still unfolding across U.S. mechanized formations today.

A Platform Designed for Future Conflict Environments

The XM30 embodies lessons learned from recent conflicts including Ukraine—where drone proliferation, top-attack threats, EW saturation zones, and contested logistics chains have redefined survivability metrics for armored vehicles. By emphasizing modularity over bespoke solutions—and integrating digital warfare resilience into its core design—the platform aims to remain relevant into mid-century conflict scenarios ranging from Indo-Pacific littorals to Eastern European plains.

This makes it more than just an M2 replacement—it’s potentially a keystone node within multi-domain operations doctrine where ground platforms serve not only as shooters but sensor-fused data relays inside kill webs spanning air-land-space domains.