Elbit Systems of America completed live demonstrations of its next-generation unmanned turret last month.
The company demonstrated the UT50 as part of a research and development agreement with the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command at the Aberdeen Test Center.
The turret features the XM913 50mm cannon and a high-capacity ammunition handling system.
The UT50 integrates a medium caliber gun into an Elbit-designed turret for future military platforms such as the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV), the company revealed in a social media post.
“We are proud to be teamed with BAE Systems Inc. to deliver this next-generation capability to our warfighters.”
Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle
The US Army requested industry proposals to develop the OMFV program in December 2020, bidding to replace the four-decade-old M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
Among the differences from the three-man Bradley, the OMFV will have a crew of two soldiers and an “AI-powered virtual third crew member.”
Five firms have been selected to compete in the program’s initial phase: Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, Rheinmetall Vehicles, and General Dynamics.
The detailed design phase and prototyping are scheduled for 2023 and 2025, respectively. The vehicle is expected to be fielded by 2028.