Rheinmetall US subsidiary partners with GM to win US Army Common Tactical Truck comp

The US Army is in the early stages of a broader modernisation and recapitalisation program for much of its combat and support vehicle fleets following decades of conflict in the Middle East for Cold War-era vehicles — with the multi-phased program to replace the Army’s family of heavy tactical trucks with production of up to 40,000 trucks valued at up to US$14 billion.

American Rheinmetall Vehicles and GM Defense formed a strategic collaboration in 2022 to compete in the program, bringing together two world-class engineering and manufacturing giants to deliver a modern, tactical truck that enhances soldier capability through advanced technologies including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) for safety, increased off-road mobility, cyber security, machine learning, artificial intelligence, improved survivability, and fuel efficiency, among other emerging technologies.  

The industry partners offered the HX3 Common Tactical Truck (HX3-CTT). The HX3 is the latest generation of trucks in the highly successful, combat-proven HX family of trucks which are in service with a number of NATO and US-allied nations.

Matthew Warnick, managing director for American Rheinmetall Vehicles, welcomed the announcement, saying, “Both American Rheinmetall Vehicles and GM Defense look forward to providing competition to the Army’s CTT Program. We are committed partners to the Army, bringing tremendous operational capability coupled with advanced safety features, ensuring our soldiers can achieve their mission safely and effectively.” 

Steve duMont, president of GM Defense, expanded on the comments of Warnick, saying, “Winning the CTT prototype phase demonstrates the undeniable value that the strategic collaboration between GM Defense and American Rheinmetall Vehicles brings to this important, next-generation Army program.”

The HX family of trucks derives from MAN Truck and Bus commercial truck offerings, bringing a high degree of commerciality to the fleet, a priority for the Army in the CTT program. The HX3-CTT next-generation system has enhanced on and off road mobility, integrated survivability, and an open digital architecture supporting ADAS and enabled for autonomous vehicle operation.

“Together, our team will deliver a transformational truck that leverages the commercial strengths of our partners, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles and General Motors, and the commonality of the HX3-CTT design,” Warnick added. 

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“We are excited to bring our advanced technologies and manufacturing prowess into this important collaboration and deliver a proven, modern solution to enhance warfighter capability. We look forward to continuing our work with American Rheinmetall Vehicles to execute the first prototype phase, while gaining the necessary insights to strengthen our position to win future phases of the program,” duMont said. 

The HX3-CTT features an advanced, interchangeable, protected cab design, ADAS, and drive-by-wire operation. The new open system’s electrical architecture allows rapid integration of leader-follower, tele-operation, and fully autonomous capabilities that focus on protecting the most valuable combat asset — the soldier.

Combined with the open architecture, the commercial backbone of the HX3-CTT will support persistent modernisation and allow for rapid increases in capability as technologies mature. With a global footprint of both current military user nations and commercial dealer networks, the HX3-CTT provides a basis for optimised life cycle costs and service support to the Army across the globe. 

The HX3-CTT is the new, next-gen variant of the globally successful HX family of military-off-the-shelf tactical trucks. It possesses an extremely high level of commonality and modularity across variants: cargo, load handling systems, tankers, and line haul tractors. With an HX family that can scale from 4x4 to 10x10, the HX can meet any military need.

Rheinmetall and GM’s HX3-CTT leverages best-in-class advances in commercial truck technology, safety, fuel efficiency, and emissions reduction. Ruggedised for the stresses of military service, the HX family provides an “off the shelf” capability. This commercial backbone reduces obsolescence risk/cost, expands parts availability, and reduces sustainment demands.

American Rheinmetall Vehicles delivers next-generation, advanced tactical wheeled vehicles and innovative tracked and wheeled combat vehicles in support of today’s highest combat vehicle modernisation priorities. Rheinmetall’s collaborative global structure allows for the maturation and strengthening of the US industrial base now and into the future. American Rheinmetall Vehicles is part of the American Rheinmetall family of US companies including American Rheinmetall Munitions in Stafford, Virginia; American Rheinmetall Systems in Biddeford, Maine; and US corporate parent American Rheinmetall Defense in Reston, Virginia.

GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security, and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense’s technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent company General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities.