The US Army has initiated a market survey to assess whether manufacturers can support a proposed 10-year procurement of 20,787 additional Infantry Squad Vehicles (ISVs). The potential acquisition would double the service’s existing procurement objective, increasing its planned fleet to approximately 32,400 vehicles. Production is expected to begin with 106 units in 2028 before expanding to approximately 2,000 vehicles annually through 2038. The Army is targeting July 2028 for the contract award, with deliveries expected to start in late fiscal year 2029. GM Defense, the current ISV manufacturer, produces the vehicle using components derived from commercial pickup trucks. The company is also competing against Ford Motor Co. and BC Customs for a separate ISV-Heavy programme. Industry responses to the survey are due in late November. The proposed procurement includes 9,003 nine-passenger ISV-9 vehicles and 11,784 five-passenger ISV-Utility variants. Both lightweight models will share an off-road chassis capable of climbing 60-percent gradients and maintaining an average speed of 55 miles (86 kilometers) per hour. The vehicles must be transportable inside CH-47 Chinook helicopters, carried through UH-60 Black Hawk sling-load operations, and deployed using low-velocity airdrops. Additional requirements include 24-volt electrical systems, run-flat tires, blackout lighting, and the ability to ford water up to 30 inches (75 centimeters) deep. To reduce costs through bulk purchases, the Army is considering a multiyear procurement arrangement and has requested $527 million in fiscal 2027 funding for 2,418 vehicles. Senate authorizers have also drafted legislation to provide multiyear purchasing authority and accelerate vehicle deployment to Mobile Brigade Combat Teams. The Army is additionally seeking pricing for semi-autonomous integration kits and unlimited technical data rights to establish comprehensive in-house maintenance capabilities.
