the US Army is expanding its plans to fit APS to its Armor BCTs Originally planed for 3 BCTs, the program is now planned to fit all 9 with APS. Intitial kits should be fitted and deployed by 2019. Still considering plans for the 5 NAtional Guard BCTs
Next up will be systems similar to Iron Curtain APS for Bradley and Styker teams.
Most likely will be the last upgrades for the M1family, after SEP IV, until a new ground combat vehicle Family is procured.
All Armored Brigades To Get Active Protection Systems: Gen. Milley
1. That article clearly states that only 4 ABCTs are scheduled to receive APS for their M1s.
So far, Milley said, the only APS in the budget are for the four active-duty brigades, which are expected to be among the “first responders” to any crisis abroad. “We don’t yet have a schedule for the Guard, or the rest of the regular Army, but our intent is to outfit the total force, the total Army, with active protective systems in the years ahead,” he pledged.
Intent is not programmed. Intent is not funded. The US Army's other
SIX (6) active ABCTs have no more expectation of receiving APS than the National Guard ABCTs. And, I'll believe the M2/M3 Bradleys will be getting fitted when they actually complete development of their modified system and it's fitted to the first battalion of Bradleys.
2. When US Army generals state
"total force" they are specifically emphasising the inclusion of the Army National Guard and Army Reserves in whatever they are discussing.
3. Sydney Freedberg is a complete hack. In my experience of reading his articles, he's barely capable of regurgitating press releases without screwing it up. Any time he attempts to add context to a story, in an attempt to prove he's informed on the subject, he fumbles. The US Army currently has 10 active duty ABCTs. 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID completed conversion last fall. Hell, one of it's tank crews just won the Sullivan Cup. And, this year the IBCT assigned to 4th ID (2nd Bde) was designated to convert to the 11th active ABCT.
