The U.S. National Center for Manufacturing Sciences has awarded American Rheinmetall a $31 million, 18-month contract to build a forward-deployed repair system for battle-damaged Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The program will demonstrate an expeditionary Rapid Damage Assessment and Repair Team that combines digital diagnostics, modular tools, and agile logistics to restore combat vehicles close to the point of damage. Using Bradleys as a test platform, Rheinmetall will refine processes for damage evaluation, component fabrication, and on-site replacement using additive-manufacturing technologies. The concept aims to minimize evacuation delays and maintain combat power until full depot support becomes available. The initiative also supports the U.S. Army’s strategy to strengthen battlefield sustainment in contested environments and provide scalable repair templates adaptable to other vehicle fleets. By combining Rheinmetall’s global sustainment expertise with NCMS’s manufacturing innovation network, the program intends to cut turnaround time, improve fleet availability, and demonstrate cost-effective resilience for both U.S. and allied armored forces.
