RCV prototype award scheduled for November

The Army this morning released an acquisition time line for the Robotic Combat Vehicle, targeting Nov. 22 for a prototype award.

The RCV, a brand-new capability under the Next Generation Combat Vehicle family, is planned to come in three variants -- Light (weighing less than 10 tons), Medium (weighing 10 to 20 tons) and Heavy (weighing 20 to 30 tons).

The program is currently in Phase 2, which includes manned-unmanned teaming experiments to inform prototype requirements, according to the original notice posted June 6, 2018.

The NGCV cross-functional team finalized initial “high-level” demonstration requirements at the start of this year, according to the Army's chart.

The first demonstration event is planned for May 13 to May 17, followed by final prototype requirements development. The Army will release a request for white papers July 29 and select an unspecified number of designs by Sept. 17, leading to a prototype award on Nov. 22, according to the chart.

The service previously released its long-term "campaign plan" for the RCV, stating all research and experiments will lead to a "decisive lethality decision point" in fiscal year 2023.