VEHICLE PROTECTION SYSTEMS (VPS)

The Vehicle Protection Systems (VPS) program, as outlined in Army Budget Line Item 6652GM1900, is a new start initiative for FY 2026 focused on enhancing the survivability of tracked combat vehicles through the procurement and integration of advanced protection technologies. The program aims to address evolving battlefield threats by leveraging a combination of active, reactive, and passive protection mechanisms. VPS utilizes Horizontal Technology Integration (HTI) and Modular Open System Architecture principles to enable tailored survivability solutions for various platforms. This approach ensures adaptability to future technology advancements and threat landscapes.

The first major component is designed to provide ground combat vehicles with early warning capabilities against laser-aided threats. The Laser Warning Receiver (LWR) detects threats such as Laser Range Finders, Laser Target Designators, and Laser Beam Rider Anti-Tank Guided Missiles. Upon detection, the system rapidly alerts the crew to the type and direction of the threat, allowing for timely countermeasures. The FY 2026 budget supports the procurement, integration, and installation of these base kits across multiple platforms, reflecting the Army's commitment to improving crew survivability against precision targeting systems.

The second component focuses on reducing the infrared signature of ground combat vehicles to minimize the probability of detection by enemy sensors operating in classified ranges and wave bands. This is achieved through the application of specialized Signature Management Paint, which is integrated without altering the vehicle's baseline paint. The FY 2026 budget allocates funds for the procurement and application of this paint on a large number of vehicles, supporting a layered approach to camouflage, concealment, deception, and obscuration. The program is intended for all combat vehicles, with potential future expansion to other Army vehicle systems, and is implemented as both a production cut-in and retrofit to the enduring fleet.

The third component provides passive armor enhancements specifically designed to mitigate damage from overhead threats, such as Explosively Formed Projectiles and Shaped Charge Jets. This add-on armor is strategically placed over crew compartments and hatches, complementing the base vehicle armor. In FY 2026, the program funds the procurement of several Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) sets, covering a significant number of vehicles. The Top Attack Protection capability is intended for all combat vehicles, with future expansion planned, and its quantity per platform is tailored according to base armor and crew compartment configurations.

Each of these VPS components is justified by the need to close existing protection gaps and to prepare Army vehicles for future threats. The integration of these technologies is managed by the Army Contracting Command in Warren, MI, with production and delivery schedules established to meet operational requirements. The procurement strategy emphasizes modularity and scalability, allowing for future upgrades and technology insertions as threat environments evolve.

Funding for FY 2026 supports the receipt, storage, integration, and installation of VPS kits and associated technologies. This investment is aligned with statutory requirements under the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, ensuring that these capabilities are available for both active and reserve components for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities. The program's layered approach to survivability combining early threat detection, signature reduction, and enhanced armor reflects a comprehensive strategy to safeguard Army personnel and assets in increasingly complex operational environments.