Army to Advance Prototype Competition for Future Electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle

October 27, 2023

The eMCV is a technology and concept development vehicle revealed by GM Defense at the Modern Day Marine Expo in June 2023. The six-passenger eMCV uses the company’s production Hummer EV’s chassis and suspension system with some modifications. (Image: GM Defense)

The U.S. Army is preparing to issue an industry request for the development of an electric Light Reconnaissance Vehicle (eLRV), according to an Oct. 19 announcement from the Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA).

The solicitation will be the latest milestone in the Army's efforts in recent years to start deploying electric vehicles to soldiers in the near future.

In July 2022 for example, the Army selected GM Defense to provide a battery-electric vehicle for analysis and demonstration. At the 2023 Modern Day Marine Expo , GM revealed its prototype for that effort in the form of an electric military concept vehicle powered by the company's BEV2 400-volt lithium-ion battery.

According to the ACC-DTA announcement, the upcoming industry solicitation will fulfill an Army requirement for an eLRV for its Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs). The prototype needs to have enough lethality, protection, mission load capacity and onboard power for a "six-Solider Scout Squad" conducting reconnaissance and security missions.

"This is a prototype project because contractors will develop physical models of an eLRV to evaluate the technical feasibility and military utility of electrification of Army vehicles," ACC-DTA notes in the announcement.

One of the major goals of the Army's evaluation of the eLRV will be its ability reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

"The eLRV will upgrade the mounted reconnaissance squad, platoon, and troop capability within the IBCTs to conduct R&S missions by providing six seats for the scout squad, reduction in acoustic / thermal signature, silent mobility, silent watch, increased dash speed, extended range, greater reliability, and reduction in Class III (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants) requirements over the current High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle platform," the announcement states.

In the announcement, ACC-DTA writes that once the prototype project period is complete, there will be a potential award of a follow-on production contract for 1,485 light electric reconnaissance vehicles valued at $672,000,000.

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