The U.S. Army is advancing rapidly with its XM30 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) program — the long-awaited successor to the aging M2 Bradley. Designed from the ground up, the XM30 is built to endure drone swarms, top-attack munitions, and the challenges of electronic warfare on the 21st-century battlefield.
Developed under the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) initiative, the XM30 can operate either with a crew or fully autonomously. It features a hybrid-electric propulsion system, advanced digital architecture, and modular armor — offering a blend of silent mobility, high power generation, and superior protection.
Two defense giants are competing in the program: General Dynamics Land Systems, with its Griffin III-based design, and American Rheinmetall Vehicles, offering a U.S.-adapted version of the Lynx KF41. Both companies are currently building full-scale prototypes scheduled for delivery in early 2026, after which the U.S. Army will begin evaluation and testing.
The XM30 aims to outperform its predecessor across three key areas:
- Mobility: Hybrid-electric drive for silent operation and enhanced power output.
- Firepower: A remote 30mm cannon, scalable to the XM913 50mm gun, coupled with anti-tank missile launchers and AI-assisted targeting.
- Protection: Modular armor, advanced Active Protection Systems, and CBRN defense to safeguard the crew against modern threats.
With a crew of two and capacity for up to nine fully equipped soldiers, the XM30 emphasizes survivability, rapid troop deployment, and digital integration with U.S. command networks.
Beyond being just a new vehicle, the XM30 represents a transformational leap in armored warfare. After four decades of Bradley service, the U.S. Army is shifting toward a platform designed for multi-domain operations against peer adversaries like Russia and China.
Its open-architecture design ensures upgradeability through the 2040s, keeping it combat-relevant for decades. As global tensions persist in both Europe and the Indo-Pacific, the XM30 stands as a cornerstone of the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts and a vision of how mechanized warfare will evolve in the digital age.
