General Dynamics Land Systems recently announced it will not compete in the U.S. Army’s competition to replace its Vietnam War era M113 armored personnel carrier.
The announcement coincided with May 28 deadline for defense firms to submit proposals for the Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle solicitation – a request for proposal that GD officials have maintained is biased toward a Bradley-fighting-vehicle style vehicle.
“General Dynamics Land Systems did not submit a proposal for the Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program,” said Robin Porter, a spokesperson for GDLS. “The requirements and other provisions of the request for proposal do not allow the company to provide a competitive solution.”
The maker of the Stryker family of wheeled combat vehicles, maintains that the AMPV requirements are designed to force companies to deliver a Bradley solution, GDLS officials maintain.
As an alternative, GDLS has pitched the idea of a mixed fleet that includes Stryker medical vehicles. The platform was already tested in a non-Stryker unit when the Army outfitted the 3rd Infantry Division units in 2010 with Stryker medical evacuation vehicles for a tour in Iraq.
The Army has tried to take steps to make it a fair process by offering excess Bradley chassis -- made by BAE Systems -- to competing firms to use in the competition.
Meanwhile, BAE remains in the running for AMPV, Mark Signorelli, vice president and general manager of Combat Vehicles at BAE Systems, said in a May 28 statement.
“Our AMPV proposal provides an affordable low risk solution that is ready now and meets the Army’s survivability, force protection, and mobility requirements,” he said.
"BAE Systems’ AMPV capitalizes on the proven Bradley and Paladin Integrated Management designs, meeting the Army’s force protection and all-terrain mobility requirements, enabling the AMPV to maneuver with the rest of the Armored Brigade Combat Team.”
GDLS was considering mounting a protest in federal court but has now ruled out that option.
“The company will not pursue the matter in Federal Circuit Court so as not to hinder the ability to continue to pursue its options to participate in the program,” Porter said in GD’s official statement.
