EXPERTISE
When the General Dynamics Team designs and builds vehicles for the military, protecting the troops is our top priority. Our combat and tactical vehicles are equipped with state-of-the art systems and superior armor that shields Soldiers and Marines from current and future threats on the battlefield.
We provide our clients with a family of vehicles that focus on modularity, in which a common design supports a multitude of configurations. The U.S. military has deployed 10 variants of the Stryker to locations around the world. Seven of the Stryker variants are now equipped with the Double-V Hull that increases survivability by providing high-magnitude blast protection from bombs and explosives. Our Canadian and Australian clients similarly have fielded the LAV family of vehicles to its troops. We also have more than 4,000 MRAP vehicles operating in the field around the world.
The M1 Abrams is the main U.S. battle tank and is designed to provide mobile fire power capable for destroying any opposing armored fighting vehicle, while providing protection for its crew in the combat environment. Our Stryker is a lighter, smaller and more readily deployable and mobile vehicle for defense and disaster-response missions. The Stryker Medical Evacuation Vehicle recently proved itself with the Heavy Brigade Combat Team, demonstrating that wheels and track vehicles can go into the fight together.
TECHNOLOGY
Land Systems is a leader military’s evolving needs with technological advancements that tie the entire force together. As the centerpiece of the Heavy Brigade Combat Team, the M1 Abrams tank’s digital platform has enhanced command-and-control system, second-generation thermal sights and improved armor. The Stryker and LAV family of vehicles have technological capabilities that complement the tank and multiply tactical force effectiveness.
Land Systems works directly with customers to design vehicles that rapidly target immediate military needs. Our advanced command, control and communication systems are reliable, secure, time sensitive, and simple to use. That means troops are able to instantly network with crews in other armoured vehicles and helicopters on the battlefield. The technological capabilities in our vehicles make it possible for a smaller force to prevail through increased operational effectiveness – giving Soldiers and Marines a marked advantage against enemy forces.
LABS AND TESTING
Land Systems is on the cutting edge when it comes to developing and interfacing complex systems that prepare the military for future battles. Our engineering and technical expertise combined with laboratories and equipment that can perform everything from mine-blast simulation to environmental exposure. Our facilities provide Soldiers and Marines a place to get their hands on vehicles and to test military software and hardware of the future.
The Warfighter Integration Laboratory located in the Maneuver Collaboration Center (mc²) is designed to be soldier-centric and includes a motion platform that simulates operations on the move for all vehicles and terrains. Simulation provides virtual test to evaluate concepts, measure performance, verify design, and perform optimization. The laboratory also is home to a 3D immersive environment that allows operators to compare control and display design alternatives at different crew member locations in a vehicle.
Land Systems Environmental Test Laboratory complements simulation and provides physical testing to verify both design and simulations. By making laboratory resources available to customers and suppliers, Land Systems reduces costs by eliminating the need to buy new test equipment for most applications. Our Automated Test Equipment Team develops special test equipment for Electronic Hardware Verification, while Land Systems Airflow Lab is rated as a “Best-in-Class” facility for testing subsystems and components under controlled airflow condition. Other lab and testing capabilities include:
- Combined environment testing including vibration, shock and temperature.
- Highly Accelerated Life Testing (HALT) temperature and multi-axis repetitive shock vibration.
- Fifty Thousand Force-Pound Vibration and Shock System.
- Impact Shock Machine that is capable of testing up to 2,000-lbs using free fall or assisted drop operation.
- Hydraulic Fatigue and Strength Testing that has 100,000 force-pound capacities.
- Multi-axis Simulator with slew rates up to 100 degrees per second and payload capacities up to 300 pounds.
- Driving Rain Systems that can simulate four-inches of rain fall per hour at wind speeds up to 40 MPH.
EXPLOSIVE AND BALLISTICS TEST RANGE
Land Systems explosives and ballistics test range supports production and product development through rapid testing. New concepts and technologies can quickly be developed and characterized with a higher level of confidence than simulation alone. This allows us to understand the performance of a new idea before customer validation, saving time and money. This facility can test vehicles at full scale, vehicle sections, EFP, RPG, FSP and conventional ballistics. In addition, we have developed certain test methods that are completely unique.
The knowledge gained at our Edgefield range in South Carolina allows us to quickly develop new products critical for the ever-changing combat environment. Working with our customer, we strive to get quality solutions to our heroes quickly.
FUTURE PROGRAMS
Land Systems expertise on current production programs for military vehicles positions us to be a major participant in future vehicle development programs. We have several Stryker demonstrator variants, including the Lift and Recovery Trailer, Maintenance Recovery Vehicle and the Self-Propelled Howitzer. Land Systems was one of two companies selected to lead the design and development of the Army’s next-generation armored personnel carrier, the Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV). We are also a member of one of three teams to develop technology demonstration for the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), which is intended to replace a portion of the U.S. fleet of High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Land Systems in Canada continues to play a vital role in developing the next generation of light armored vehicles (LAVs), as well as continuing to develop ground combat solutions for other countries.
Our first-rate engineering staff and program managers seek to usher in the U.S. Marine Corps’ new Amphibious Family of Systems including the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, Marine Personnel Carrier, and the upgraded Amphibious Assault Vehicle System.