DSEI 2023: BAE Systems details upcoming AMPV variants

BAE Systems displayed the M1284 Medical Evacuation Vehicle (MEV) variant of the AMPV at DSEI in September 2023. This was the first time the AMPV had been publicly displayed overseas. (Janes/Sonny Butterworth)

BAE Systems revealed that it is planning to test counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) and turreted mortar variants of its Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) tracked armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) during media briefings held at DSEI 2023 in London.

Announcing its international debut at the exhibition, Bill Sheehy, AMPV programme director at BAE Systems, said that the company has developed a new top plate for the vehicle referred to as the Ex-MEP (Mission Equipment Package) that is designed to enable the platform to easily accommodate most remotely operated weapon stations (ROWSs) and turrets. This will help BAE Systems to rapidly reconfigure the vehicle to meet differing customer requirements, including those of potential export customers.

BAE Systems has also designed the AMPV to have sufficient growth potential in terms of size, weight, and power to cope with the demands of new subsystems.

One variant that will make use of the turret top plate is designed for C-UAS. This will have a Moog Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) mounted on its roof. The RIwP will be armed with an XM914 30 mm cannon, the same system used on the US Army's Stryker-based Maneuver Short Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) vehicle.

Developed as a private venture by BAE Systems to show the versatility of the AMPV and to anticipate potential future requirements, the C-UAS variant will make its public debut at AUSA in October 2023, after which it will undergo live-fire tests in November.