Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology

The Next Generation Combat Vehicle Technology (PE 0602145A) program is a key Army modernization initiative focused on researching, designing, and evaluating advanced technologies for future combat vehicles. The overarching goal is to enable smarter, faster, more lethal, and more protected ground forces by developing foundational vehicle architectures, including autonomy, power, electronic, physical, lethality, and protection systems. The program supports manned, optionally manned, and unmanned vehicles, aiming to deliver decisive lethality and adaptability for multi-domain operations. Research is conducted by agencies such as the Ground Vehicle System Center (GVSC), Army Research Laboratory (ARL), C5ISR Center, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, Data and Analysis Center (DAC), and Armaments Center (AC).

BF3: Combat Vehicle Robotics Tech focused on developing scalable integration of multi-domain robotic and autonomous system capabilities within Army formations. Key objectives included advancing autonomous behaviors for obstacle detection and avoidance, soldier-machine integration for improved operator efficiency, and developing modeling and simulation tools to evaluate autonomy algorithms. Efforts also included research on human-robotic interaction to reduce cognitive burden and optimize unmanned system performance. This project was eliminated in FY 2026 to align with Department of Defense priorities, ceasing governmental development of autonomy software.

BF6: Crew Augmentation and Optimization Tech aimed to reduce vehicle crew sizes and enable successful operation of manned and unmanned vehicles in complex environments. The research supported development of Warfighter Machine Interfaces (WMIs), reconfigurable frameworks for concept experimentation, and team-centered dynamic tasking by machine intelligence. Objectives included enhancing crew capability, characterizing soldier-adaptive AI interactions, and improving crew interaction interfaces and technologies. The project also investigated collective training assessment techniques and platoon teaming capabilities. Like BF3, this project was eliminated in FY 2026 to reflect shifting priorities.

BF8: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Tech developed AI and machine learning algorithms to support fully autonomous maneuver for NGCV and other platforms. The focus was on increasing autonomy, reducing soldier workload, and enhancing survivability and lethality in contested environments. Research included scalable autonomous systems, context-based information dynamics, heterogeneous computing, and machine learning for constrained resources. Additional efforts involved operational assessment of AI-intense developmental weapon systems and collaboration with universities through technical alliances. Funding for this project was reduced in FY 2026 as several research milestones were achieved.

BF9: Sensors for Autonomous Operations and Survivability Tech concentrated on modular and adaptive sensor components, embedded processing, and multi-function sensor payloads to improve situational awareness for manned and unmanned vehicles. Research included advanced sensors with embedded processing, threat overmatch detection, and countermine technologies for complex environments. The project aimed to enable detection of obstacles and threats, such as explosive hazards, and to integrate sensor data into a common operating picture for enhanced battlefield awareness. Work was coordinated with multiple Army technology programs and performed by the C5ISR Center.

BG6: Advanced Concepts for Active Defense Technology funded research into advanced materials and mechanisms for adaptive and cooperative protection of ground vehicles. Objectives included developing multi-threat armor technologies, adaptive protection systems, and survivability/lethality/vulnerability analysis tools. The project also explored collaborative defense technologies, directed energy for terminal effects, and advanced vehicle survivability and interoperability research. These efforts aimed to balance active and passive protection measures to address current and emerging threats, leveraging modeling and simulation for technology validation.

BP5: Ground Vehicle Technology (Congressional Adds) provided targeted funding for specific technology advancements identified by Congress. FY 2024 and FY 2025 adds included active protection systems, advanced materials for survivability, autonomous ground vehicle technologies, armaments for unmanned systems, fuel cell engines, gunner restraint systems, highly electrified vehicles, hydrogen technologies, hyperspectral sensors, large metal additive manufacturing, machine learning optimized power electronics, mobility materials research, prototyping energy-smart autonomous ground systems, silicon carbide electronics, small unit technology advancements, analytics and visualization for autonomous vehicles, standardized batteries, and vehicle power protection. These congressional adds supported rapid innovation and addressed capability gaps for future ground combat vehicles.