US Army to receive first XM30 infantry vehicle prototype from General Dynamics in 2026.

General Dynamics Land Systems has confirmed it will begin delivering XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle prototypes to the U.S. Army in July 2026 as part of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase.

General Dynamics Land Systems confirmed to Defense Daily on October 7, 2025, that the company remains on schedule to deliver XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle prototypes to the U.S. Army in July 2026. The XM30, previously known as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, is progressing through a five-phase acquisition program, jointly competed with American Rheinmetall Vehicles, valued at approximately $45 billion, to replace the M2 Bradley, which has been in service since 1981.
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The US Army is expected to select a single contractor for the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) in fiscal year 2027, with low-rate production targeted for 2028 and full-rate production by 2030. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The XM30, formerly designated as the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle, is progressing through a structured five-phase acquisition pathway designed to replace the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle that has been in service since 1981. The program, valued at approximately $45 billion, anticipates the start of low-rate initial production in fiscal year 2028 and full-rate production by fiscal year 2030. Each of the two competitors, General Dynamics and American Rheinmetall Vehicles, is responsible for developing eight prototypes as part of the engineering and manufacturing development phase, which follows the completion of the critical design review that concluded in mid-2025.

The XM30’s current schedule follows a major transition from the design and digital modeling phase into fabrication, marking the first time the Army’s ground combat vehicle development has relied entirely on digital engineering tools. Prototypes are expected to require 18 to 20 months to build, after which Army testing and evaluation will determine which manufacturer advances to serial production. The service plans to select a single contractor in fiscal year 2027, following a comprehensive testing period that includes limited user trials and evaluations of crew systems, survivability, and integration with other Army platforms. The program experienced a short delay in its Milestone B decision, initially targeted for April 2025 and finalized in June 2025, which authorized the transition to full-scale engineering and manufacturing development. According to General Dynamics’ XM30 program director, Ray Kiernan, the company has completed the design transition phase and is actively building the prototypes under its current contract.

The XM30 is intended to replace the Bradley in Armored Brigade Combat Teams with an optionally manned, tracked combat vehicle capable of crewed or remote operation. It incorporates the Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) standard to enable rapid technology insertion and future modernization. Designed for a two-person crew and six dismounts, the XM30 features a digital backbone that integrates vehicle subsystems, mission electronics, sensors, and weapons into a unified control interface. A hybrid-electric propulsion system allows the vehicle to operate with reduced noise and thermal signatures, improved fuel efficiency, and a “silent watch” mode for extended stationary operation. Its open electronic design allows for modular integration of future sensors, protection suites, and electronic warfare systems without major structural modification, facilitating rapid updates across the vehicle’s lifecycle.

The XM30’s armament includes the Northrop Grumman XM913 50×228 mm automatic cannon, a significant increase in caliber compared to the Bradley’s 25 mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun. This main gun, mounted on a remotely operated turret, is capable of firing armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot rounds and programmable high-explosive airburst ammunition suitable for engaging both armored and aerial targets. The weapon system is supported by twin anti-tank guided missiles and a coaxial machine gun, with a fully digital fire-control system assisted by artificial intelligence for automated target detection and tracking. The integration of third-generation forward-looking infrared sensors allows for improved target acquisition in low-visibility conditions, while an advanced situational awareness system provides the crew with a 360-degree visual and thermal view. Signature management technologies are incorporated into both the hull and turret to minimize visibility across infrared, acoustic, and radar spectrums.

Protection systems have been prioritized to address threats revealed by recent conflicts, particularly the widespread use of anti-tank guided missiles and loitering munitions. The XM30’s defensive suite includes modular composite armor, active protection systems combining hard-kill and soft-kill interceptors, and counter-UAS sensors for drone defense. Electronic warfare components are designed to jam or disrupt enemy targeting and communication systems, while layered armor modules allow the vehicle to be configured for different mission profiles. In April 2025, the Army awarded Duality AI a contract to develop a counter-drone artificial intelligence detection system, intended to enhance the XM30’s situational awareness and ability to detect aerial threats in real time. The design also provides built-in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear protection, as well as onboard cyber-defense measures to ensure data integrity and control system security during operations.

Two industrial teams are currently constructing and testing competing XM30 designs. American Rheinmetall Vehicles leads Team Lynx, composed of Textron Systems, RTX, L3Harris Technologies, Allison Transmission, and Anduril. This team is basing its proposal on the Lynx KF41 platform, which integrates artificial intelligence for crew assistance, digital twin design for virtual testing, and open architecture for U.S. production. General Dynamics’ team includes GM Defense, Applied Intuition for autonomy simulation, AeroVironment for Switchblade loitering-munition integration, and General Dynamics Mission Systems for networked communications and cybersecurity. The Army awarded both companies a total of $1.6 billion in June 2023 for the detailed design and prototype build phases, with approximately $2.4 billion already appropriated for development and testing across all phases of the program. If approved for full-scale production, the Army plans to acquire approximately 3,800 vehicles to equip all active and National Guard armored brigades.

The XM30 program is advancing alongside continued modernization of the existing Bradley fleet to sustain combat readiness until the new platform enters service. In September 2025, BAE Systems received $22.4 million in additional contracts for M2A4 and M7A4 conversions, increasing the total contract value to $668.4 million. The M2A4 and M7A4 variants feature a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon, TOW missile launchers, upgraded powerpacks, suspension systems, and digital fire-control components. The M2A4E1 further incorporates Elbit Systems’ Iron Fist Light active protection system, high-definition gunner optics, and improved environmental control for crew and passengers. As of mid-2025, the Army’s procurement objective for M2A4 and M7A4 vehicles stood at 1,329 units, with 985 ordered and 583 delivered. Testing and evaluation conducted since 2020 confirmed enhanced mobility, firepower, and digital integration over earlier versions, ensuring the Bradley platform remains viable until XM30 production begins in the early 2030s.

The XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle represents the culmination of two decades of successive modernization initiatives that followed the cancellations of the Future Combat System and Ground Combat Vehicle programs. It is part of the broader Next Generation Combat Vehicle portfolio that includes the Mobile Protected Firepower and Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle programs. Developed with full digital traceability from concept to production, the XM30 marks the Army’s first ground combat vehicle designed entirely through model-based systems engineering. The integration of hybrid-electric propulsion, a 50 mm weapon system, multi-layered protection, and an adaptable digital structure is intended to provide a more sustainable and upgradable foundation for future armored warfare. By adopting a modular approach, the U.S. Army aims to maintain flexibility in responding to evolving threats and technological advances through the 2030s and beyond.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.