GM Defense’s Post

The US Army is facing a dilemma in designing a next-generation tank that can effectively fight in both Europe and the Pacific. The current main battle tank, the M1 Abrams, is an aging Cold War design and is not suitable for the new threats faced in different regions. Rivals such as Russia and China have developed weapons to counter the Abrams, and its mobility and firepower advantages are at risk. Additionally, the Abrams was primarily designed for European plains and does not perform well in the jungles and remote islands of the Pacific. The Army is now tasked with creating a tank that can meet the challenges of both theaters. However, it is a complex challenge given the different terrains and evolving threats. The Army is considering various alternatives, including lighter, more mobile tanks and the concept of a robotic wingman vehicle to accompany manned tanks. The development of a next-generation tank requires advanced analytical capabilities that are currently lacking. #USArmy #NextGenTank #MilitaryTechnology

GM Defense History Series: For more than a century, General Motors has answered America’s call and supported the U.S. Armed Forces in every major military conflict, and origins of GM Defense date back more than 100 years in our company’s history. As we continue to share our important story, we're launching a new weekly history series shining a light on GM Defense's legacy of contributions across land, air, sea and space. As various GM automotive divisions first rallied their incredible manufacturing might to produce thousands of vehicles, engines, aircraft, munitions and other defense and government products, GM Defense continues the legacy today and into the future.   Journeying back to the era of World War I, here’s a look at the 1917 GMC Model 16AA WW1 Military Ambulance. 🚑 This legendary vehicle served on the front lines, ferrying wounded Soldiers and vital medical supplies, embodying innovation and valor. GMC’s Model 16, selected as the standard ¾-ton truck by the US Army, saw over 13,000 units deployed for military use, with many repurposed as ambulances in support of the war effort. Telling of the times, the truck's maximum speed was 25 miles per hour and was facilitated by its 30 horsepower engine. Out of the 13,316 Model 16 trucks manufactured, the majority were designated for military purposes. While GMC primarily handled ambulance assembly, the demand quickly outpaced the production capabilities of GM's Pontiac division facility. To address the increased demand, kits were developed, containing all the necessary components for ambulance construction and assembly. The 16AA was an exception vehicle, supporting WWI war efforts and American warfighters on a global scale. #wearegm #GMDefense #WW1 #MilitaryHistory #gmdhistoryseries

The History of Military Camo Patterns . Discover the evolution of military camo patterns — traditional to modern designs. Explore the warfare history & impact of camouflage patterns. .. #camo #camouflage #camopattern #camopatterns #multicam #multicamblack #military #bdu

Introducing the MIK-03 Gen-2 by Halfbreed Blades – we take great pride in presenting this meticulously crafted fixed blade, purpose-built to cater to the needs of dedicated infantry personnel and outdoor enthusiasts alike.   Representing the quintessence of an infantry knife, the MIK-03 Gen-2 goes above and beyond with its refined blade geometry and upgraded 3D-textured G10 handle scales. These enhancements provide a secure and comfortable grip, ensuring superior control in any situation. Beyond its striking appearance, this blade is not merely a work of art, but a utilitarian tool engineered to empower you with exceptional performance and unwavering reliability.   Precision-engineered and finely tuned, the MIK Model 03 Gen-2 boasts essential features that enhance its practicality. Its robust construction guarantees enduring durability, establishing it as an indispensable tool for those who demand nothing less than excellence from their equipment. The appeal of the MIK-03 Gen-2 extends beyond the realm of the modern-day warfighter. Adopted by professionals, this modern interpretation of tradition has gained popularity for its unparalleled versatility and feature-rich design. To discover this fixed-blade fusion of tradition and contemporary innovation, we invite you to explore our online store or reach out to your local dealer for further assistance. #australia #ausarmy #defence #defenceindustry #futuresoldier #hardware #lawenforcement #military

CHESSWARRIORS - PART-9 ORDER OF BATTLE CHESS PIECES – COMBAT UNITS Assigning military roles to chess pieces is an interesting analogy that can help conceptualize their strategic importance on the board. This analogy highlights the diverse roles and strategic importance of each chess piece in the game. By understanding the capabilities and functions of each "combat unit," players can better plan and execute their strategies on the chessboard, aiming for victory by leveraging the strengths of their entire army. This breakdown of the chess pieces into various military units provides a fascinating perspective on their roles and capabilities on the chessboard. By conceptualizing the chess pieces as different types of military units, players can gain a deeper understanding of their strategic significance and plan their moves accordingly. Just as a skilled commander coordinates various types of units on the battlefield, a proficient chess player utilizes the strengths of each piece to achieve victory on the chessboard. (The Pawns – 1 point, Troops – Short range weapon)   (The Knights - 3 points, Air Cavalry – Medium range weapon)   (The Bishops – 3 points, Tanks - Long range weapon) (The Rooks – 5 points, Artillery - Long range weapon)   (The Queen – 9 points, Fighter Bomber - Long range weapon)   (The King – 10 points, Headquarters – Short range weapon)

The A-10 Warthog is commonly said to have been built around a specific gun, but it was far from the first design to get that treatment. Let’s talk about an oft-overlooked fighter from WWII: the Bell P-39 Airacobra. Bell’s first XP-39 prototype took to the air in 1938. More than anything else, its defining characteristic was the weapon and engine layout. The plane’s single propeller was driven by a V-12 engine positioned just behind the cockpit. A drive shaft ran under the pilot’s position to drive the nose-mounted propeller. Though pilots initially worried about the safety and reliability of this configuration, their fears proved unfounded. This engine configuration was driven by Bell’s desire to fit the plane with a large Browning T9 cannon. The powerful 37mm weapon’s barrel was mounted in the center of the propeller hub in order to improve accuracy and stability. Unfortunately, it was prone to jamming and the ammo capacity was very limited. The Royal Air Force would swap this out for a 20mm Hispano-Suiza cannon on their P-39s. The US Army Air Force only used the P-39 in limited numbers, in part due to lackluster performance at high altitudes. However, the US exported thousands of the planes. Nearly half of the 9,588 P-39s that Bell produced went to the Soviet Union as a lend-lease product, where they were primarily employed at low and medium altitudes. Five of the USSR’s top-scoring aces flew these American-built planes. Smaller numbers of P-39s eventually found their way to Australia and the allied governments in France and Italy. Follow us here at Luminary Air Group for more snippets from the pages of aviation history!

Interested in the future of armoured vehicles? This article looks at the British Army's Boxer Armoured Vehicles which reveals how innovation and advanced manufacturing are driving change in the defence industry. Learn more about these game-changing machines here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3rP4fFl #Innovation #Defence #MilitaryVehicles

What do duct tape, jeeps, aviator sunglasses, super glue, and microwaves all have in common? They were all invented by the military before they became the common household products that we know and love today. Learn more in celebration of National Inventors' Day this week: https://lnkd.in/gYUjR5t. #InventorsDay

FPVs are the new Infantry and artillery. Human Riflemen will soon only be used for Battle Damage Assessment, clearing the aftermath and immediate self-defense. Time to train recruits to become FPV Operator instead of riflemen in general. There is no going back to the old times. An elite Fallschirmjäger Platoon has no chance against a FPV operator that has 10 FPVs and 3 months flight training in VR. We need to identify Oldschool thinkers that block innovation and confront them with reality.

Should the defense acquisition system consider simplicity when developing requirements and selecting systems? Does it do this already?   In our increasingly complex world, we must fight to keep the simple things simple. We should reward simplicity. Two systems come to mind when discussing this topic, the Infantry Squad Vehicle and the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. These are different vehicles made for different purposes. Still, they come to mind because they were fielded within the last four years and represent two vastly different approaches to making a military vehicle. The ISV, made by GM Defense, uses simple and common automotive technology to build a truck. The JLTV uses more complex, sometimes unique, technology to do the same thing, build a truck. I believe the operational readiness rates of these two fleets will show which approach is more sustainable over the long term.  Incorporating simplicity wherever possible is essential, and it's time for the defense acquisition system to prioritize simplicity when developing requirements and selecting systems. What are your thoughts?  #militaryvehicle #militarymobility #COTS #tacticalwheeledvehicles #mobility #groundmobility