Ford Motor Company has been selected by the U.S. Army to compete for the next-generation heavy-duty Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV-H), a program that could become one of the automaker’s largest defense contracts since the Cold War. The Army plans to acquire 600 tactical vehicles, with Ford joining two other companies in the competition.
On July 27, Ford announced it had received a contract to build three prototype vehicles based on its F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks. The Wall Street Journal first reported the award. Ford did not disclose the potential value of the contract if it is ultimately selected.
Ford to Deliver Three Super Duty-Based Prototypes
According to the U.S. Army, Ford must deliver its three prototype vehicles by March 30, 2027. The prototypes will be based on the company’s F-Series Super Duty platform.
“We are excited to start work on this Army contract and look forward to delivering several incredibly capable vehicle protypes that demonstrate the value Ford can provide to the Army and soldiers,” Ford spokesperson Dave Tovar said in a statement. “Our Built Ford Tough Super Duty trucks are engineered for extreme durability and for the most challenging use cases making it an ideal platform for military use.”
Tovar said Ford Pro, the company’s commercial vehicle unit, offers the vehicle platforms, technologies, and rugged capabilities needed to support the military with global service and parts support. He added that Ford’s trucks are designed to meet government and military requirements in a “cost-effective way just as we do with our commercial customers.”
Army Details Requirements for the ISV-H
The Army’s tender specifications describe the ISV-H as a six-person tactical vehicle designed to transport soldiers across rough terrain while serving as a mobile power source for drones, command-and-control systems, and other equipment.
The vehicle must also provide onboard power capabilities, including 60 kW of continuous high-voltage DC power, 15 kW of 28V DC power, and 4.8 kW of 120V AC power for field command posts.
Ford Faces Competition From GM and BC Customs
The U.S. Army also selected General Motors and Utah-based off-road specialist BC Customs to develop competing prototypes. The three companies will undergo operational assessments and limited developmental testing before the Army selects a winner in what it described as one of the largest vehicle defense opportunities in decades.
The announcement follows comments by GM CEO Mary Barra during the company’s second-quarter earnings call on July 21, when she told analysts that, if Congress appropriates the funding, General Motors could receive a $1 billion contract to build 10,000 light-duty Infantry Squad Vehicles-Utility (ISV-U) based on the Chevrolet Colorado.
The heavy-duty ISV-H competition is a separate program. According to The Detroit News, GM’s ISV-H prototypes are based on the Chevrolet Silverado HD and feature a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain.
GM described its proposed vehicle as “rugged, capable, and spacious” and “a mobile energy source that can operate in silent mode to minimize acoustic and thermal signatures.”
Pentagon Working With U.S. Automakers
The Pentagon has been discussing with U.S. automakers how their manufacturing expertise can be used to update and replenish military equipment following wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.
The prototype phase will determine which company advances in the Army’s effort to procure 600 heavy-duty Infantry Squad Vehicles for future military operations.
