Rheinmetall America in collaboration with U.S. Defense companies - Textron Systems, Raytheon Technologies, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission, and Anduril Industries, are designing a transformational next-generation infantry fighting vehicle – The Lynx OMFV – for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program with the goal to replace U.S. Army Bradley tracked armored IFVs ( Infantry Fighting Vehicles).
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Rheinmetall America presented its Lynx tracked armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle technology demonstrator for US Army Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program. (Picture source Army Recognition)
The Lynx OMFV – for the U.S. Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) Program. Featuring a US-designed new, lethal, unmanned 50mm turret with 3rd GEN FLIR, a highly maneuverable and powerful right-sized chassis, advanced on-board protection systems including active protection, and an open systems architecture, ensuring overmatch today and overmatch tomorrow.
The American Rheinmetall Vehicles’ OMFV Concept Demonstrator was presented during the AUSA, the Association of United States Army defense exhibition in October 2022. It represents the physical appearance of the Lynx OMFV’s design, complimented with augmented reality highlighting technologies for the OMFV program.
The Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) is a U.S. Army program to replace the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. OMFV is one part of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle portfolio of programs. In July 2021, the Army awarded contracts to five teams: Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. The total value of the contract was $299.4 million. Teams will develop concept designs during the 15-month-long phase.
The Lynx KF41 represents the next generation of tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) that was developed by the German company Rheinmetall. It is the larger variant of the Lynx combat vehicle family, which also includes the Lynx KF31 vehicle. The new IFV was unveiled in June 2018 during the defense exhibition Eurosatory that was held in Paris, France.
As for the GermanBoxer 8x8 armored vehicle, the Lynx tracked vehicle has been designed on a modular open systems architecture, offering the possibility to configure the vehicle with different types of combat systems enabling the vehicle to perform a wide range of missions.
The modular survivability systems of the Lynx provide unprecedented flexibility for customers to cope with the wide variety of threats faced across the spectrum of conflict. The ballistic and mine protection packages can be easily exchanged, even in the field if needed, while the full spectrum of threats has been taken into account, including roof protection against cluster munitions. The Lynx KF41 with Lance 2.0 has been designed not only for passive and reactive systems but also for an active protection system to defeat rocket-propelled grenades and antitank-guided missiles.
in terms of mobility, the KF41 Lynx is motorized with an 850 kW Liebherr engine developing 1,140 hp and a proven Renk transmission. It can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. It can negotiate a gradient of 60% and side slopes of 30%. It can cross a trench of 2.5m, climb a vertical obstacle of 1 m and has a fording depth of 1.5 m without preparation.
