TRACKED VEHICLES.

Lynx XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (Rheinmetall).

Lynx XM30 mechanized infantry combat vehicle American Rheinmetall Vehicles United States

The Lynx XM30 is a next-generation tracked infantry fighting vehicle developed by American Rheinmetall Vehicles for the U.S. Army XM30 program. It is intended to replace the M2 Bradley within U.S. armored brigades and provide protected transport and fire support for an infantry squad during high-intensity combined-arms operations.

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

Details

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Description

The Lynx XM30 is a tracked, digital, optionally manned infantry fighting vehicle designed to meet U.S. Army requirements. It is being developed by American Rheinmetall Vehicles with a group of U.S. industrial partners that includes Textron Systems, Raytheon, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission, and Anduril Industries.

The vehicle is being offered under the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle program, previously known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, or OMFV. The term “optionally manned” means that the vehicle is intended to conduct certain missions by remote control without a crew inside. The OMFV program was officially redesignated XM30 on June 26, 2023, following completion of the initial digital design phase.

The XM30 is intended to replace the M2 Bradley, which entered U.S. Army service in 1981. Despite repeated modernization, Bradley is considered to have reached the practical limits of its capacity to accept additional armor, electronic equipment, defensive systems, and power-generation components. The future vehicle is expected to retain the Bradley’s main functions, including infantry transport, direct fire support, and engagement of enemy vehicles, while providing architecture better suited to current threats and future technology.

The Lynx XM30 is intended to transport soldiers under armor to a tactically advantageous position, support them during close combat, and operate alongside tanks, artillery, unmanned aircraft, and other components of a combined-arms force. It is also expected to allow its crew to control robotic and semi-autonomous systems. The U.S. Army requires the XM30 to operate with an onboard crew and, in some circumstances, without soldiers inside, depending on the commander’s decision.

The program is not intended to produce a modified Bradley, but a new platform with increased firepower, protection, electrical power generation, and long-term software and hardware growth capacity. The Lynx XM30 is therefore being designed from the outset as a digital combat system able to accept new sensors, weapons, software, electronic warfare systems, and protection equipment without a complete vehicle redesign.

The program uses a Modular Open Systems Approach, or MOSA. This open architecture, defined and controlled by the U.S. Army, is intended to simplify the integration of new technologies and allow multiple suppliers to provide upgrades during the vehicle’s service life. The XM30 is also described as the first U.S. Army ground combat vehicle designed from the outset using advanced digital engineering tools.

During the initial concept design phase, contracts were awarded to Point Blank Enterprises, Oshkosh Defense, BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and American Rheinmetall Vehicles. In June 2023, the U.S. Army selected American Rheinmetall Vehicles and General Dynamics Land Systems to continue into detailed design, prototype construction, and testing. The two contracts had a combined value of approximately $1.6 billion.

The program therefore includes two competing vehicles: the Lynx XM30 from American Rheinmetall Vehicles and the Wolf XM30 from General Dynamics Land Systems. Both concepts were publicly presented by the U.S. Army in 2026 through digital models. They are intended to meet the same general requirements but use different vehicle architectures, equipment, and industrial solutions.

American Rheinmetall states that the U.S. Lynx XM30 is not a direct export or modified version of the European Lynx KF41. It is a separate vehicle developed in the United States around specific U.S. Army requirements, although its development draws on experience gained with the wider Lynx tracked vehicle family.

The Lynx XM30 is designed around a two-soldier crew and a rear compartment for six infantry personnel. The reduced crew size relies on automation, an integrated human-machine interface, and data fusion from onboard sensors. Tactical information is intended to be displayed in a way that limits operator workload and shortens the process of detecting, classifying, and engaging threats.

The development process includes repeated evaluations involving soldiers. These activities examine crew ergonomics, workstations, external visibility, dismount procedures, the arrangement of the rear compartment, access to mechanical components, and maintenance requirements. The prototypes are expected to be evaluated by U.S. Army units before more demanding operational trials.

The XM30 Lynx is the U.S. Army’s next-generation Infantry Fighting Vehicle designed to replace the M2 Bradley. Developed by American Rheinmetall Vehicles with key partners, it combines advanced firepower, protection, hybrid mobility, and digital warfare capabilities.

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Technical Data

Design and Armor

The Lynx XM30 uses the general layout of a tracked infantry fighting vehicle, with an armored hull, an unmanned turret, a crew compartment, and a rear compartment for infantry personnel. The crew consists of two soldiers, while six dismounts are carried in the rear section. The two-person crew arrangement is enabled by the automation of tasks that would normally be divided among three operators. Driving, navigation, surveillance, and weapon-control information is presented through digital interfaces. This arrangement is intended to allow both crew members to access the vehicle’s main functions and assume selected duties when required.

The absence of a turret basket frees internal space and keeps the operators below the main protected roofline. The turret can therefore house the cannon, sensors, and weapon systems without requiring the commander or gunner to occupy the upper section of the vehicle. The rear compartment is designed to carry six infantry personnel and their equipment. The internal information systems are intended to provide dismounts with a tactical picture before they leave the vehicle, allowing them to review nearby threats, friendly positions, and the immediate surroundings before the rear ramp opens.

Protection is based on modular armor combined with active and passive measures. Mission-specific armor packages can be fitted according to the threat environment. The internal design also seeks to separate personnel, ammunition, fuel, and other components that could increase the effects of penetration. The vehicle is intended to integrate an active protection system able to detect, track, and counter anti-tank threats. Protection is supplemented by warning sensors, signature-management measures, and systems intended to improve awareness around the vehicle.

American Rheinmetall has also integrated a 360-degree vision system for the driver. It provides a representation of the immediate surroundings and a top-down view around the hull. The system is intended to reduce blind spots, support maneuvering in confined areas, and lower the risk of accidents when dismounted soldiers are operating close to the vehicle.
Mobility

The Lynx XM30 uses a hybrid-electric propulsion architecture. Allison Transmission provides the eGen Force transmission, developed for heavy tracked vehicles. The system combines mechanical propulsion with electrical power generation and distribution. The hybrid architecture is intended to supply energy to sensors, communications equipment, fire-control systems, active protection, electronic warfare equipment, and future upgrades. It also provides electrical and cooling capacity for later equipment integration.

Team Lynx has referred to a silent mobility capability. Under certain conditions, the vehicle may use stored electrical power to move with a reduced acoustic and thermal signature. The electrical system may also allow onboard equipment to operate while the combustion engine is shut down during surveillance periods. The Lynx XM30 is intended to operate with formations equipped with M1 Abrams tanks and move across difficult terrain. Its suspension, running gear, and drivetrain are being designed to support a heavy tracked vehicle while maintaining the tactical mobility required for combined-arms operations.
Onboard Combat Equipment

The Lynx XM30 is being developed as a digital and software-based platform with architecture intended to support future upgrades. Its electronic systems are compatible with the U.S. Army Ground Combat Systems Common Infrastructure and MOSA principles. This approach is intended to simplify the integration of new sensors, software, communications systems, and protection equipment from different suppliers. The vehicle is equipped with day and third-generation thermal observation systems. These sensors are intended to allow the commander and gunner to detect, identify, and track targets at extended range during day, night, and reduced-visibility conditions.

The digital fire-control system combines data from the sights, laser rangefinder, vehicle sensors, and tactical networks. Decision-support and assisted-recognition functions are intended to reduce the time between target detection and engagement. Anduril provides a Common Tactical Picture based on its Lattice software. The system combines information from onboard sensors, friendly units, and unmanned platforms to create a shared representation of the battlefield. It is also intended to reduce the workload placed on the two-person crew.

L3Harris Technologies provides mission systems, processors, secure communications equipment, and cybersecurity capabilities. These systems support data exchange, collaborative targeting, and integration with U.S. Army command networks. The vehicle is intended to control or cooperate with unmanned aircraft, robotic ground vehicles, and semi-autonomous systems. This function is part of the broader role assigned to the XM30 in future U.S. mechanized formations. The Lynx XM30 is also expected to include navigation systems, onboard diagnostics, vehicle health-monitoring equipment, and predictive maintenance functions. These systems are intended to help identify technical faults and reduce repair time.
Armament

The Lynx XM30 is equipped with an unmanned turret armed with a 50 mm automatic cannon. Industrial and specialist sources generally associate this configuration with the Northrop Grumman XM913 cannon chambered for 50 × 228 mm ammunition. The weapon is intended to provide greater range and terminal effect than the 25 mm M242 cannon used on the M2 Bradley.

The 50 mm cannon is intended to engage armored vehicles, fortified positions, anti-tank teams, and other threats at greater distances than Bradley’s current weapon. It is expected to be connected to a digital fire-control system, electro-optical sensors, and automated target acquisition and tracking functions.

The vehicle is also expected to carry secondary weapons and guided missiles. Raytheon is developing a Multi-Mission Launcher for the Lynx XM30. This system is intended to accept different effectors depending on the mission, including anti-tank missiles, loitering munitions, and systems intended to engage aerial or ground targets. Team Lynx has referred to the Javelin, the Coyote family, and the possible future integration of the TOW missile. The final launcher configuration and ammunition load have not been disclosed.

The unmanned turret keeps the crew inside the protected hull. It is also expected to include day and thermal sensors, a laser rangefinder, digital fire-control equipment, and systems allowing the commander and gunner to observe and engage targets independently.

Close view of the Lynx XM30 turret armed with one 50mm automatic cannon and a Multi-Mission Launcher

Specifications

Armament

One XM913 50 × 228 mm automatic cannon in an unmanned turret; Raytheon Multi-Mission Launcher; effectors may include Javelin and Coyote; possible future integration of TOW; secondary armament not publicly detailed
Country Producer

United States
Industrial Partners

American Rheinmettal Vehicles (Main), Textron Systems, Raytheon, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission, and Anduril Industries
Onboard Equipment

Electro-optical sensors, third-generation thermal imaging, digital fire-control system, Anduril Common Tactical Picture, L3Harris secure communications, MOSA architecture, GCIA compatibility, active protection system, 360-degree vision system, and interfaces for robotic systems
Crew

2 crew members + 6 infantry soldiers
Armor

Modular armor, mission-specific protection packages, active protection system, signature-management measures, and internal separation of personnel, ammunition, fuel, and other sensitive components
Propulsion

Hybrid-electric architecture with Allison eGen Force transmission
Speed

65 km/h road speed
Maximum Speed

Not published, but the Lynx XM30 is expected to operate with formations equipped with M1 Abrams tanks, which suggests a road speed of at least approximately 65 to 70 km/h.