Weapons

Army says major weapons programs 'on track' for future war, despite virus

New future Army attack helicopters, armored infantry carriers, vehicle-fired counter-drone missiles, hypersonic weapons and high-tech networking technologies for future war -- are all expected to remain largely on-track and ultimately deliver on time despite the coronavirus outbreak, senior service leaders said.

“The Army and its industry partners are still bending metal within our labs and engineering centers and we are still focused on the most critical things, including the safety and security of our soldiers, personnel and health workforce,” Gen. John Murray, Commanding General, Army Futures Command, told reporters April 3.

Some of the current large platform weapons programs are expected, at least as of now, to meet “First Unit Equipped” timelines, including the Future Vertical Lift reconnaissance and attack helicopter, the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) armored personnel carrier, Joint Light Tactical Vehicle Humvee replacement, Vehicle-fired missiles for Short Range Air Defense and Army combat communications networks. The service has also completed some crucial future weapons tests and exercises to ensure the Army remains “ready for war.”