14 October 2019

AUSA 2019: Rafael's lighter Trophy system included in OMFV bid

by Ashley Roque

Rafael’s lighter version of Trophy Active Protection System (APS) is included in a bid sample for the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) prototyping competition, an effort to replace its M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

OMFV proposals and bid samples were due to the service by 1 October and so far only General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Raytheon Rheinmetall Land Systems have announced that they are vying for the prototype contracts. While the latter has proposed equipping its Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) with a Raytheon APS, GDLS has remained tightlipped except to say it is using a ‘layered’ protection suite that includes a hard-kill and soft-kill solutions.

GDLS displayed its Griffin III IFV technology demonstrator at AUSA 2018. Rafael’s lighter Trophy Vehicle Protection System has been included on a bid sample for the OMFV prototyping competition. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)

When asked by Jane’s if the lighter Trophy Vehicle Protection System (VPS) was included on one of the OMFV bids, Leonardo DRS director for land systems Mike O’Leary responded, “Yes”.

“We’re doing everything we can to be seen as compelling for not just that programme [OMFV], but also some of the Marine Corps programmes like ACV [Amphibious Combat Vehicle] and beyond,” O’Leary said on 7 October.

GDLS’s vice-president for global strategy and growth Robert Lennox declined to confirm or deny if his team’s bid includes the Trophy VPS during a 10 October interview with Jane’s . He did note that the company’s bid is a “purpose-built vehicle” that includes a “completely integrated” APS system, a potential advantage over simply strapping on such a system because of signature management, as well as size, weight, and power challenges.

Rafael’s lighter version of Trophy Active Protection System (APS) is included in a bid sample for th...

Jane's Find unrivaled intelligence, consultancy and advertising solutions to the defence and national security sectors.