Industry heavily focused on next-generation Army vehicles

Transcript of Interview with John Baylouny:

Sarah Sicard, Defense News:
You discussed the next generation of vehicles; that’s been sort of a hot button topic throughout this conference. Why do you think that is?

John Baylouney, Leonardo DRS:
I think that the Army has asked for a lot in a very short period of time, and I think that our vehicle manufacturers look at that as a tremendous investment to make in a very short period of time, and there’s a big bet that has to be made. I think that some of the vehicle manufacturers say “Well, that’s probably not doable for us,” and they step aside in favor of what’s to come in the future. But some of the vehicle manufacturers have said “We’re going to step forward, we’re going to make the investment, we’re going to partner with the sort of companies that help them bring the best capability forward,” and I think they’ve done a good job at that. But I do think that the Army has asked for a lot, and rightfully so. It’s been a long time since we modernized our vehicles. So they had to ask for a lot, and they ask for a lot in a short period of time. Not everyone can step up that fast.