US Army Awards $154 Million Contract to Raytheon, Upgrading Bradley Fighting Vehicle

The U.S. Army is gearing up for a substantial enhancement of its military capabilities with a major upgrade to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV).

A badge of the US flag is seen on the uniform of a female US soldier as she stands near tanks at the United States Army military training base in Grafenwoehr, southern Germany, on July 13, 2022.

Modernizing Armored Vehicle

RTX's Raytheon has successfully secured a $154 million contract to implement the Commander's Independent Viewer (CIV) across the Bradley Fighting Vehicle fleet.

Interesting Engineering reported that this strategic move is part of the Army's ongoing efforts to modernize its armored vehicles, aiming to bolster crew awareness and effectiveness on the battlefield.

The Commander's Independent Viewer (CIV) is expected to bring a significant technological leap, providing advanced systems that enhance the overall functionality of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

With this $154 million contract in place, the U.S. Army anticipates the initial batch of upgraded systems to be delivered by June 2026.

This upgrade marks a crucial step in the Army's commitment to staying at the forefront of military technology, ensuring that its armored fleet remains equipped with cutting-edge capabilities for addressing contemporary security challenges.

As per RTX, The integration of the CIV is poised to elevate the Army's vehicular capabilities, offering improved situational awareness and operational effectiveness in diverse and dynamic battlefield scenarios.

CIV is a sophisticated sight system designed to enhance the operational capabilities of the U.S. Army's Bradley Fighting Vehicle. It incorporates second-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras and sensors, providing comprehensive 360-degree oversight and targeting capabilities on the battlefield.

Bryan Rosselli, President of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon, highlighted the holistic nature of the CIV system, describing it as a combination of multiple components working in tandem to elevate the survivability and battlefield performance of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Emphasizing key functionalities, Rosselli noted that the CIV offers early threat detection, a panoramic battlefield view, and all-weather performance, empowering vehicle commanders to effectively locate, identify, and engage both stationary and moving targets in any environmental condition, be it day or night.

Significant Advancement

Raytheon's CIV represents a significant advancement within its FLIR product family, as reported by Space Daily.

Drawing from the knowledge gained through the development and production of over 25,000 second-generation FLIR sensors over the past two decades, Raytheon has leveraged this experience in the creation of the third-generation FLIR sensor.

The enduring legacy of Raytheon's FLIR technology spans more than half a century, underscoring its reliability and continuous evolution.

Rosselli's statement underscores the multifaceted capabilities of the CIV system, reinforcing its role in enhancing threat detection, providing a comprehensive battlefield view, and ensuring operational effectiveness in all weather conditions.

Raytheon's recent undertaking is poised to elevate the effectiveness of the Bradley Fighting Vehicles, underscoring the firm's steadfast dedication to pushing the boundaries of military technology.

The incorporation of CIV systems into the Bradley Vehicles represents a substantial leap forward, markedly amplifying the U.S. Army's capabilities in reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat. This strategic move is instrumental in positioning the army at the forefront of cutting-edge warfare technologies.