The US Army on its Next Generation Combat Vehicle, an interview with Cohort and considering the disruption of lasers

In this episode of the Weekly Defence Podcast, we quiz the US Army on the progress of its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle project, we speak to the chief executive of independent technology group Cohort and in our Industry Voice segment sponsor Nammo considers the implications of vehicle-borne lasers. 

• News Roundup (01:06)

On the news this week…

We learn how the German Federal Ministry of Defence (MoD) has privately handed RfP solicitations for its heavy-lift helicopter programme to Sikorsky and Boeing. 

Elbit Systems has concluded testing of its new Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) as part of the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s CARMEL Future Combat Vehicle project. The AFV applies autonomous capabilities and artificial intelligence to accelerate decision making and facilitate target engagement with increased rapidity and accuracy.

 On the naval front, we hear how shipbuilding has formed a central theme around UK defence commentary for a number of years. However, with Northern Ireland-based shipbuilders Harland and Wolff (H&W) entering administration, the notion of a revitalised UK naval manufacturing capability took another blow following the announcement earlier in the year of the drawdown and closure of Babcock’s Appledore facility.

The woes of the maritime industry in the UK comes at a time when the sector has never been more in the public eye, with ongoing issues in the Gulf regarding tanker security continuing to dominate headlines.

• Interview – US Army on its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (15:25)

Land reporter Kate Martyr quizzes the US Army on the progress of its Next-Generation Combat Vehicle programme, in particular the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) components.

Kate spoke to Major Cory Wallace, who is Robotic Combat Vehicle Lead on the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross-Functional Team, and Chris Ostrowski, associate director at Army Futures Command (AFC) Ground Vehicle Systems (formerly TARDEC).

• Interview – Cohort Chief Executive (32:28)

 Land editor Beth Maundrill speaks to Andrew Thomis, Chief Executive of technology group Cohort, about the organisation’s development and support of its five SMEs.

• Industry Voice – Nammo (39:54)

In this week’s Industry Voice, Tony Skinner, our VP of Content, and Endre Lunde, SVP of Communications for Nammo, talk about the next-generation laser technologies under development.

Music and sound mixing provided by Fred Prest