Free Resources

A year ago, IDGA published an article analyzing where the Army stood in its efforts to create a next-generation Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV). 12-months later, there have been several updates to the RCV program, and the following piece breaks them all down. By downloading "Robotic Combat Vehicles: The U.S. Army's Path to Autonomous Warfare," readers will gain the following:

• 2025 updates to the Army's RCV program
• Congressional and industry concerns with the program
• A breakdown of the three RCV variants

Before the defense community gathers in Detroit this summer for the Armored Vehicles Conference, IDGA has put together the following “Armored Vehicle Defense Acquisition Report: North America 2025-2029,” which covers the following:

• General trends across the armored vehicle industry
• An update on U.S. armored vehicle programs
• CUAS capabilities in armored vehicles
• Canadian armored vehicle programs
  

February 2025 marks three years since Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During that time, the U.S. military and its NATO allies have learned valuable lessons about contemporary military operations that range in topics from UAS to command and control, armored vehicles and more. As the Former Commanding General of the Security Assistance Group – Ukraine (SAGU), (Ret.) Lieutenant General Tony Aguto learned these lessons firsthand while supporting the Ukrainian military with battlefield and security systems advice, as well as providing material and training needs.

Aguto has 36 years of experience as a strategic planner, expert trainer and commander in the U.S. Army. He is an expert in military readiness, coalition building, navigating U.S. and NATO Defense Policy, and integrating technology in today’s complex and demanding environment. Prior to his role at SAGU, Aguto commanded at all four Army levels from Lieutenant to General and has directed the Army’s Training Centers in the US and overseas, including Eastern Europe.

This June 24-25, (Ret.) LTG Aguto will present at IDGA’s Armored Vehicle USA conference on lessons he took away from his experience in Ukraine. During the two-day event speakers will cover everything armored vehicles related: from strategic issues to the threat environment, to the challenges of MRO and lifecycle management, all the way through to the next generation of ‘optionally manned’ combat vehicles.

Before attendees arrive in Detroit this summer, IDGA sat down with Aguto to discuss items such as:

• How the threat landscape has evolved for armored vehicles
• The role of emerging technologies in future armored vehicle development
• What he is looking forward to at the upcoming Armored Vehicle USA conference.
  

The proliferation of anti-tank missiles has changed the armored domain. Armor is expected to operate in ever more threatening and complex environments, and due to this there has been a renewed interest in Active Protection Systems (APS). C.M Jacobs explores how the US has answered the call for better protection systems in this article delving into the thoughts and philosophies of the major APS systems in the market today. Furthermore, he argues that the introduction of APS has caused a shift in the conception of armored protection and that military planners will have to accept the system as the “New Normal”. This article covers:

• The history of APS
• Analysis of current APS Systems
• What the development of APS systems mean for procurement and planning as a whole
  

Armored Vehicles USA is the premier US centered event for comprehensive discussion from across the Armored Vehicles space bringing together 350+ senior executives and attendees from military, industry and academia.

With many past attendees already confirming their participation for 2025, don’t miss the chance to connect with the key players shaping the future of armored warfare.

Download the 2024 attendee snapshot to see who you could meet on-site in Detroit!

The role of armor has experienced renewed interest due to the Ukraine conflict. While there have been many opinions on the trends we have been seeing, General David G. Perkins offers unique insight through the eyes of someone who has left his mark on armored warfare. A veteran of the Iraq War, he compares his experiences to what is happening in Ukraine and what we can expect in the future for allies and adversaries. Perhaps, most importantly, he shares his reasoning for the importance of the Armored Vehicles conference.

Despite what critics have alluded to the age of the tank is far from over. We had the privilege of interviewing tank commander Colonel Oleg Hrudsevych on his experience as a Tank Commander in Ukraine. He also holds the prestigious title of Hero of Ukraine for his actions in Mariupol. His experience and knowledge invaluable to anyone who even has a passing interest in armored warfare. In this interview he delves into:

• His combat experience
• Russian Armor
• Needs of the Ukrainian
  

Ted Maciuba, deputy director of Robotic Requirements at the US Army Futures Command, pulls back the veil on the cutting-edge world of uncrewed combat ground vehicles. He ventures into the new technologies while also explaining the challenges and trends one needs to adapt to succeed in some of the army’s most cutting-edge programs, including gaps and potential in the private sector.

This interview is a must for anyone who:

• Is interested in the latest developments related to the Next Generation fighting vehicles.
• Would like a better understanding how the army sees the crewed and uncrewed dynamic working in the field.
• Requires an insight into acquisition trends
  

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the tactical and operational importance of armored vehicles, and it has forced the US and allied nations to continue modernizing their own armored vehicles. In order to maintain growth the US invests $5 billion annually on the acquisition of new armored vehicles. With a market that large, IDGA has developed the Armored Vehicle USA conference, a US centered platform for the comprehensive discussion of everything armored vehicle related, covering strategic issues to the threat environment, to the challenges of MRO and lifecycle management, all the way through to the next generation of ‘optionally manned’ combat vehicles.

Colonel Armin Dirks is the Head of Operations for the CPT Main Ground Combat Systems at the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment and has decades of experience in the world of armored vehicles. On June 26 Colonel Dirks will be a featured speaker at the second day of IDGA’s Armored Vehicle USA event in Austin, Texas. During the Colonel’s presentation, he will discuss future land combat systems and focus on factors such as precision, effectiveness and speed of weapon employment. Before Colonel Dirks joins us in Austin, he sat down with IDGA to discuss the future of armored vehicles. If you are interested in learning more about the Colonel’s session, and other scheduled speakers, download the entire agenda for Armored Vehicle USA today.

As conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza demonstrate the continued tactical and operational importance of armored capabilities in the modern battlespace, it is imperative that the US and allied nations continue to modernize their armored vehicle forces.

From June 25-26, leaders in the armored vehicles space will gather in Austin, Texas, for the Armored Vehicles USA Conference to discuss numerous US and allied armored vehicle programs, strategic issues to the threat environment, and the challenges of MRO. Over the course of our conference, military practitioners, research and development colleagues, acquisition managers and partners from industry will share thoughts on emerging technologies, changing CONOPS, and preparations for the challenges of the Army of 2030 and beyond.

Before the conference, IDGA sat down with General (R) David Perkins, the conference’s chairman, to discuss what he is looking forward to in this year’s event. General (R) Perkins last served as the 15th Commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) which is responsible for designing, acquiring, building and constantly improving the US Army which is one of the largest and most complex organizations in the world. Previously, General (R) Perkins also commanded at all levels in the US Army, from CPT to Major Army Command at the four-star level. He has multiple combat tours to include commanding a Brigade and later an Infantry Division in Iraq.

View the Armored Vehicles USA 2025 Sponsorship & Networking Prospectus, and explore:

• Confirmed Speaker Line-up
• Previous Attendee Job Titles
• Previous Attendee Organizations
• Sponsor & Networking Opportunities
• Producer & Chairman Intro

If you have any questions or want to learn more about our partnership options, please contact Jessica Scannapieco (Sponsorship Partnership Manager) at partner@idga.org.