"The Army is planning to develop and purchase a new Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) that will serve the dual purposes of operating as a combat vehicle and transporting soldiers to, from, and around the battlefield. The GCV is intended to replace the current fleet of Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), which operate with the service s armored combat brigades. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing the GCV program on the most recent schedule would cost $29 billion (in 2013 dollars) over the 2014-2030 period. This report compares the Army's plan for the GCV with four other options the service could pursue instead. Although none of those alternatives would meet all of the Army's goals for the GCV program, all are likely to be less costly and less risky (in terms of unanticipated cost increases and schedule delays) than CBO anticipates will be the case under the Army's plan. Some of the options also would offer advantages relative to the GCV in meeting the Army's mission."-- Summary.

"April 2013." Title from cover.

The Army's Ground Combat Vehicle Program -- The Army's rationale and goals for a New Infantry Fighting Vehicle -- BOX: the Army's emphasis on transporting full nine-member squads -- Concerns about the GCV Program -- Alternatives to the Ground Combat Vehicle Program -- Option 1: Purchase the Israeli Namer APC -- Option 2: Upgrade the Bradley IFV -- Option 3: Purchase the German Puma IFV -- Option 4: Cancel the GCV Program -- Appendix: CBO's methodology for comparing the Army's Ground Combat Vehicle and Alternatives.