The defense company BAE Systems announced this past December two significant contracts for the US Army: an order for an additional 44 Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicles (CATV) and the development of prototypes for the Multi-Domain Artillery Cannon (MDAC) & Hypervelocity Projectile (HVP). BAE Systems spoke with Zona Militar about these important developments.
The company explained to ZM that in August 2022, BAE was awarded a contract to produce “an estimated 110 CATVs.” The announcement issued this past 20 December for 44 vehicles “is part of that original award,” they clarified. The US Army made an initial order in 2022 worth US$278 million; this past December, the company announced a US$48 million add-on to the existing full-rate production contract and a US$20 million award for 2025 funding.
BAE declined to discuss the delivery schedule of the CATVs, deferring to the US Army for comment. However, they acknowledged that some vehicles are “already operational.” “They are currently operating primarily in Alaska with the US Army’s 11th Airborne Division,” the company told ZM.
The CATVs are “part of the BvS10 family” and is based on the unarmored Beowulf variant. The Beowulf has a max speed of 65 km/h, a range of up to 1000 km, and an 8,000 kg payload; the vehicle can transport up to 14 personnel.
ZM asked BAE whether the CATV can carry/launch a tethered or untethered uncrewed aerial system (UAS), a popular feature for other land vehicles. The company explained, “the CATV does not currently have this specific functionality,” however, “the vehicle’s go-anywhere ability and modular design is continuing to help the US Army meet their future needs.” It is plausible that, as the geopolitical importance of the Arctic and surrounding areas increases, we will see a drone-capability added to future versions of the CATV.
Preparation for military operations in Arctic conditions is a growing priority for the US military. Last July, the US Department of Defense released its 2024 Arctic Strategy, which has a three-pronged strategy: enhancing the capabilities of the joint force, more engagement with allies and partners, and exercising US presence in the Arctic. An increased US military presence includes service-specific, joint, interagency & combined exercises, in addition to war games, simulations & tabletop exercises that focus on the Arctic. The acquisition of a fleet of BAE’s CATVs is part of the Army’s preparations to operate in Arctic environments.
Additionally, this past 20 December, the US Army announced that BAE Systems Land & Armament was awarded a contract to develop the MDAC and HVP prototypes. A “full” MDACS battery must be delivered no later than Q4 of fiscal year 2027, followed by an operational demonstration in fiscal year 2028. The Battery comprises eight Multi-Domain Artillery Cannons, four Multi-Function Precision Radars, two Multi-Domain Battle Managers, and no less than 144 Hypervelocity Projectiles.
The contract was recently awarded, so exact specifications about the MDAC and HVP are too early to disclose. However, BAE Systems told ZM that MDAC’s high-velocity, low-drag aerodynamic design “provides maneuverability to engage challenging air threats and provides decreased time to target for long-range precision fires.”
The US Army explained that the objective of developing this new artillery system is to defend “joint force fixed and semi-fixed locations” against attack by drones, cruise missiles, fixed wing & rotary wing aircraft, and other advanced air and missile threats. Moreover, the MDAC and HVP will complement existing air and missile defenses by operating in integrated operational scenarios. The defense news agency Breaking Defense has noted that the Pentagon did not hold a competition amongst private industry to determine its vendor; instead, it directly provided the award to BAE Systems.
Zona Militar recently analyzed the present and future of the US Army’s field artillery and air defense operations via coverage of a high-profile conference with senior Army officers, organized by the Association of the United States Army this past December.
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