Rheinmetall teams with GM Defense for US Army’s Common Tactical Truck program

 American Rheinmetall Vehicles, a Michigan-based subsidiary of German defense contractor Rheinmetall, has joined forces with GM Defense to compete in the US Army’s Common Tactical Truck (CTT) program.

The CTT program seeks to identify a replacement platform for the Army’s Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles.

The Army expects to execute multiple prototype projects before determining whether to proceed to initial production that could entail purchase of approximately 5,700 vehicles at a value of around $5 billion. A request for prototype proposals for the first phase was issued in late June with an expected contract award in December of 2022.

The Army’s Program Executive Office for Combat Support & Combat Service Support said in 2021 it would begin a rapid prototyping effort to provide Army Transporters modernized capabilities while incorporating as much commonality with the commercial trucking industry as possible.

Rheinmetall, with its subsidiary Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV), is planning to offer the militarized HX3 series, which incorporates commercial technologies reflecting Rheinmetall’s joint venture with MAN Truck & Bus.

An Americanized HX3 forms the basis of what the American Rheinmetall Vehicles and GM Defense team will offer the Army in the first phase of the CTT program. Combined with an open architecture, the commercial backbone of the HX3 will support persistent modernization and allow for increases in capability as technologies mature.

GM Defense will bring its manufacturing capabilities and technological excellence to the CTT team. Having been selected to deliver the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) to the Army under an other transaction authority (OTA) contract, GM Defense has experience in rapid prototyping, agile design and engineering, and rapid delivery.

The CTT Program is a rapid prototyping effort that uses a middle tier acquisition strategy and OTAs to enable the Army to quickly procure and test tactical truck prototypes to replace its family of heavy tactical trucks.

CTT fielding is projected to begin in FY 2028, according to the US Army.

The program will enable the Army to replace legacy vehicles like the Palletized Load System (PLS), Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), M915 Line Haul Tractor, and other platforms in the current heavy and medium tactical wheeled fleet. A truck with maximum commercial elements, able to perform military missions, and that can bring commonality amongst mission roles are top priorities for the Army in the program.

“On the heels of successfully delivering the ISV to our Army customer, GM Defense is excited to join American Rheinmetall Vehicles on the CTT program to deliver another exceptional mobility solution for our soldiers,” said Steve duMont, President of GM Defense.

The HX3-CTT features an interchangeable protected cab design, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and drive by wire operation. The new open systems electrical architecture allows integration of leader follower and autonomous capabilities.

According to Rhienmetall, the HX family of trucks has been sold to 20 customers globally including an active allied user group consisting of Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, Austria, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, creating common global supply chains, training opportunities, and integrated operations among key allies operating around the world.