House appropriators boost NGCV tech in spending bill

The House Appropriations defense subcommittee's version of the fiscal year 2021 defense spending bill, released July 7, recommends a $73 million increase for Next Generation Combat Vehicle Advanced Technology under research, development, testing and evaluation funding.

That includes $10 million each for additive manufacturing for a jointless hull, hydrogen fuel cells, carbon fiber and graphite foam technology, combat vehicle weight reduction and engine development.

The spending bill also allocates an extra $34 million to NGCV Technology in RDT&E funding, including $12 million for prototyping energy smart autonomous ground systems and $10 million for additive metals manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the bill recommends a $37 million decrease for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle in RDT&E funding, $20 million of which is "Army-identified excess" and $17 million is excess carryover.

Additionally, the Manned Ground Vehicle project sees a $98.2 million decrease in the spending bill, $83.2 million of which is Army-identified excess and $15 million is an overestimation of need.