About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

1 [1] (March 26, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goveotn0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service In form ing th legislative debate since 1914 Updated March 26, 2024 The Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) Program Background The RCV is being developed as part of the Army's Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) family of vehicles. As originally planned, the Army intended to develop three RCV variants: Light, Medium, and Heavy. The Army reportedly envisioned employing RCVs as scouts and escorts for manned fighting vehicles to deter ambushes and to guard the flanks of mechanized formations. RCVs are intended to be controlled by operators riding in NGCVs, but the Army hopes that improved ground navigation technology and artificial intelligence (AI) might eventually permit a single operator to control multiple RCVs or for RCVs to operate in a more autonomous mode. Three RCV Variants According to the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle Campaign Plan, January 16, 2019, obtained by CRS, the Army planned to develop three RCV variants. RCV Light (RCV-L) The RCV-L (Figure 1) was to weigh no more than 10 tons, with dimensions (length, width, height) of no more than 224 x 88 x 94 inches. In terms of transportability, a single RCV-L would be transported by rotary wing aircraft. The RCV-L would also have limited on-board lethality such as self-defense systems, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), or recoilless weapons. The RCV-L was considered an expendable weapon system, meaning its destruction in combat is expected and acceptable. Figure I. Example of an RCV-L Prototype Source: https://www.qinetiq.com/en/news/first-robotic-combat- vehicle-light, accessed July 12, 2021. RCV Medium (RCV-M) The RCV-M (Figure 2) was to weigh between 10 and 20 tons, with dimensions (length, width, height) of no more than 230 x 107 x 94 inches. In terms of transportability, a single RCV-M was to be transported by a C-130 transport aircraft. The RCV-M was to have increased onboard lethality to defeat light- to medium-armored threats. The RCV-M was considered durable by the Army, meaning the Army would like the RCV-M to be more survivable than the RCV-L. Figure 2. Example of an RCV-M Prototype Source: https://www.defensedaily.com/textron-team-readying- delivery-first-rcv-m-prototypes-received-deal-electric-variant/army/, accessed July 12, 2021. RCV Heavy (RCV-H) The RCV-H (Figure 3) was to weigh between 20 and 30 tons, with dimensions (length, width, height) of no more than 350 x 144 x 142 inches. In terms of transportability, two RCV-Hs would be transported by a C-17 transport aircraft. The RCV-H was to have on-board direct fire weapon systems capable of defeating all known enemy armored vehicles. The RCV-H was considered a nonexpendable weapon system, meaning that it should be as survivable as a crewed system. Figure 3. ExamDie of an RCV-H PrototvDe Source: https://sites.breakingmedia.com/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/ ALAS-Turret-front-close-IMG_0174.jpg, accessed July 12, 2021. https://crsreports~cori

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most