Armored Systems Modernization
The Armored Systems Modernization (ASM) was a U.S. Army combat vehicle procurement program canceled in 1992.
Systems that the ASM sought to replace included the M1 Abrams main battle tank, M109 howitzer and M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle.
However, the Army's effort was dramatically scaled back because of the high costs involved in developing and producing so many different systems.
The House Armed Services Committee directed the Army to make the AGS its top priority modernization program.
[2] In September 1991, for FY1992 SAC slashed $125 million from the Advanced Technology Transition Demonstrator ATTD) common chassis in a move some industry officials characterized as a wake-up call for the Army.
The Board wanted the prototype phase to minimize integration risks brought about by the separate development of the common chassis and individual weapon components.
The Advanced Field Artillery System (AFAS) and Future Armored Resupply Vehicle-Ammunition (FARV-A) were given top priority, as requested by Congress.
[8][9] In March, the Congressional Budget Office proposed cutting ASM funding to $100 million over the following five years.
The Army restructured two contracts worth $629 million between Teledyne Continental Motors and Armored Vehicle Technologies Associated.
The Army's initial development priority was the Block III tank, with the other heavy chassis systems to follow.
The Army planned for each of the three remaining heavy chassis systems to go through a technology demonstrator phase prior to the start of prototype development.
The demonstrator for the Combat Mobility Vehicle would integrate obstacle-breaching components on a surrogate tank chassis.
The demonstrator for the Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle would integrate a new cannon and fire control system on a modified existing chassis.
The Army's initial development priority was the Block III, with the other heavy chassis systems to follow.
[15] In fiscal year 1990, the Army began work on the in-house phase when it began to develop a "test bed", a modified M1 Abrams chassis that was used to test components for the common heavy chassis, such as the engine, transmission, and suspension, and for the Block III tank's weapon system, including the fire control, new 140 mm gun,[16] and autoloader.
In December 1990, the Army awarded contracts to Teledyne Continental Motors and to Armored Vehicle Technologies Associated (a joint venture of General Dynamics Land Systems and FMC Corporation) for the competitive design and development of a common heavy chassis.
[16] The Advanced Field Artillery System (AFAS), the successor to the M109 howitzer, was armed with a 155 mm L/52 gun capable of firing at least 12 rounds a minute.
AFAS required fewer crew members and incorporated a computer fire control system.
The demonstrator for the Combat Mobility Vehicle would integrate obstacle-breaching components on a surrogate tank chassis.
In April 1991, the Army awarded BMY Combat Systems a $10.9 million contract for a CMV Advanced Technology Transition Demonstrator.
[18] Future Armored Resupply Vehicle-Ammunition (FARV-A) was the planned replacement for the M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle.
