Could there be a lightweight armored attack vehicle able to speed across bridges, deploy quickly from the air, detect enemies at very long ranges, control nearby robots and fire the most advanced weapons in the world - all while maintaining the unprecedented protection and survivability of an Abrams tank?Such questions form the principle basis of rigorous Army analysis and exploration of just what, exactly, a future tank should look like? 

The question is fast taking-on increased urgency as potential adversaries continue to present very serious, technologically advanced weapons and attack platforms. “I believe that a complete replacement of the Abrams would not make sense, unless we had a breakthrough...with much lighter armor which allows us to re-architect the vehicle,” Col.  Jim Schirmer, Program Manager for the Next Generation Combat Vehicle, told reporters at the Association of the United States Army Annual Symposium. 

---Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army - Acquisition, Logistics & Technology.  Osborn has also worked as a correspondent for Fox News and an anchor and on-air military specialist at CNN and CNN Headline News.--

--- Kris Osborn of Warrior Maven, can be reached at krisosborn.ko@gmail.com -