American Rheinmetall Vehicles has selected Allison Transmission's newest electric hybrid cross-drive transmission for the US Army’s Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OMFV) competition.

Allison Transmission announced its strategic partnership with American Rheinmetall Vehicles (ARV) to provide the Next-Generation Electrified Transmission (NGET) propulsion system for the Lynx vehicle, which is in competition for the US Army programme.  

The OMFV programme is the priority ground modernisation programme for the US Army, which will replace nearly 3,800 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. The programme begins with digital design phases that continue through early 2023, followed by development of prototype vehicles in 2024, and government testing beginning in early 2026. 

Allison Transmission joins American Rheinmetall Vehicles’  “Team Lynx,” which includes Raytheon Technologies and Textron Systems. Dana Pittard, vice-president for defence programmes at Allison Transmission said the Lynx is not a 30-year-old platform being re-purposed. “The  Team Lynx  OMFV solution is a bold design that will be produced in America by a formidable team.”

The NGET is the newest product in Allison’s extensive armoured vehicle portfolio, meeting requirements across a wide spectrum of applications including the heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle and future Main Battle Tank markets. 

“Some of the design features include an electric hybrid architecture that will offer the warfighter the benefits of reduced detection by the enemy and increase soldier survivability,” said Ken Adgie, Director for US Government Defence Business at Allison Transmission.

“It also provides exportable power provisions for on- and off-board systems. Additionally, the autonomy-enabled NGET will provide superior performance and have the ability to meet future increases in vehicle requirements while delivering the proven reliability of an Allison Transmission.”

“The Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle from Rheinmetall is undergoing rigorous testing as part of risk mitigation activities. The US OMFV programme builds upon the vehicle's winning design with advanced technologies like the Allison electric hybrid transmission, said Matt Warnick, American Rheinmetall Vehicles Managing Director. “These technologies make our OMFV offering a next-generation solution, which provides soldiers with a decisive overmatch on the battlefield now and for decades to come.”