The US Army has tapped the services of AeroVironment to provide a new stand-off capability against hardened targets.
Valued at $990 million, the contract noted that the solution must be “organic” and capable of neutralizing hostile tanks, armored vehicles, and personnel targets.
It will be used by dismounted infantry formations to defend themselves against the threats of enemy armored assets.
The US Army did not provide specific details about the desired features of the stand-off solution.
Work for the contract is expected to be complete by August 2029.
Addressing ‘Critical Gaps’
In late 2023, the Association of the US Army released a startling report claiming that there were critical gaps in the service’s anti-tank capability.
It said that while the army has invested in material solutions such as active protection systems, it does not have a “holistic” approach to fill such gaps.
The service has made several investments to bolster its anti-tank capabilities, including a $323-million agreement with Raytheon to supply tube-launched, optically-tracked, wireless-guided (TOW) 2B anti-tank missiles.
It also integrated some of its anti-tank weapon systems into robotic platforms to keep soldiers safe from enemy counter-fire.