General Dynamics presents new Griffin technology demonstrator of light tank for U.S. airborne troops 10410161

 
 
AUSA 2016
Online Show Daily News
Association of U.S. Army
Exhibition and Conference
3 - 5 October 2016
Washington D.C., United States
 
General Dynamics Land Systems at AUSA 2016
 
 
General Dynamics presents new Griffin technology demonstrator of light tank for U.S. airborne troops
At AUSA 2016, General Dynamics Land Systems presents the Griffin, a technology demonstrator to response for the new program of U.S Army called Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). In August 2016, at Fort Benning, Ga., the U.S. Army has invited some 200 industry representatives from 59 companies to present what it wants in its next war machine, the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle (MPF).
     
At AUSA 2016, General Dynamics Land Systems presents the Griffin, a technology demonstrator to response for the new program of U.S Army called Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). In August 2016, at Fort Benning, Ga., the U.S. Army has invited some 200 industry representatives from 59 companies to present what it wants in its next war machine, the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle (MPF). General Dynamics Land Systems Griffin technology demonstrator at AUSA 2016, Association of United States Army Exhibition and Conference, in Washington D.C., United States.
     
The United States Army is starting the development process for its Mobile Protected Firepower program—essentially a light, but powerful tank that can be airlifted into combat.
 
The United States hasn’t had a light parachutable tank since they retired the M551 Sheridan in 1996. The M551 Sheridan is a light reconnaissance tank which was developed by the American Company General Motors in May 1960 under the designation XM551. In May 1966 the Sheridan was classified as Standard A and by this time production was well under way with the first production vehicle being completed in June 1966. Production continued until 1970 by when 1700 M551S (or General Sheridans) had been built, of which 1570 were still in service with the US Army in 1970.
 

The Griffin Technology demonstrator is based on a modified chassis of the Ajax armoured infantry fighting vehicle fitted with a lighter turret of M1 Abrams armed with the 120 mm XM360 gun that was developed for the erstwhile Future Combat Systems program. Second armament includes a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

The request of the U.S. Army for the MPG program is to have a light tank vehicle which can be deployed quickly by airborne troops offering same level of mobility and fire power as standard main battle tank.

The General Dynamics Griffin technology has a weight of 27,000 kg offering the same level of fire power as the M1 Abrams main battle tank. It has a crew of four.

The standard armour of the Griffin offers protection against firing of small arms 7.62mm AP, but the vehicle can be fitted with additional armour package.
     
At AUSA 2016, General Dynamics Land Systems presents the Griffin, a technology demonstrator to response for the new program of U.S Army called Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF). In August 2016, at Fort Benning, Ga., the U.S. Army has invited some 200 industry representatives from 59 companies to present what it wants in its next war machine, the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle (MPF).