QinetiQ Inc. and Pratt Miller Defense delivered the 3rd and 4th Robotic Combat Vehicle – Light (RCV-L) UGVs to the US military.
The RCV-L is a purpose-built hybrid-electric unmanned ground combat vehicle (UGCV) that integrates the technology of both companies. The first RCV-L was delivered on November 5 and the second one on December 8. On December 19, 2020, the third and fourth systems will be delivered by QinetiQ Inc. (QinetiQ) and Pratt Miller Defense (Pratt Miller) team, completing all four systems under the RCV-L program to the GVSC team. All these timely deliveries, which are the culmination of the hard work, constitute an important milestone for the RCV program’s industry/government cooperation.
Pratt Miller Defense announced on December 19, the third and fourth RCV-L systems were delivered to the GVSC integration team at Selfridge Air National Guard Base on time, two weeks before the schedule. The close cooperation between the project partners was emphasized and it was stated that the delivery of the RCV-L systems according to the contract was completed before the tests and experiments to be carried out in 2021.
First RCV-L Delivery
Michael Rose, Head of Robotic Combat Platforms Branch, shared the following statement after delivery: “The delivery of the first RCV-L is an exciting result of numerous government organizations and industry working together to achieve our first combat-ready robotic vehicle. “QinetiQ and Pratt Miller have successfully developed and delivered these systems within budget and on-schedule even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
“We are proud to deliver the first Robotic Combat Vehicle to the U.S. Army,” said Laurent Lannibois, QinetiQ’s RCV Program Manager. “This delivery will provide the Army with an unmanned vehicle ready for integration into ground combat operations. Our team’s ability to deliver this unparalleled and versatile capability on schedule while working through the unexpected challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic is commendable.”
The RCV-L prototype project was awarded to QinetiQ North America (now a wholly-owned subsidiary of QinetiQ Inc.) with the prime subcontractor being Pratt Miller through the National Advanced Mobility Consortium in March 2020. The agreement includes the delivery and support of four RCV-L platforms with procurement options for up to 16 additional RCV-L systems.
