The GCV was intended to carry troops into battle, replacing the Bradley armoured infantry fighting vehicle that first entered service in 1981. Critics of the program pointed to additional requirements that caused its weight to balloon above 60 tons, and called for existing armored cars made by BAE and other overseas manufacturers to be considered as a cheaper alternative to an all-new vehicle.

The Congressional Budget Office had estimated developing and building more than 1,800 GCVs would cost $29 billion, but a senior Army official said it would review the existing requirements to reflect changing combat needs, include technology improvements and ensure it was affordable.

The Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) programme has been initiated as part of the US Army's modernisation efforts to deliver its armed forces with a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle. BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems were the two Prime Contractors working on the Technology Development Phase of the US Army's Ground Combat Vehicle. The other Prime Contractor was General Dynamics Land Systems. They still are for the FFV.