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Pratt Miller Displays EMAV Armed With XM913 50mm Cannon at GVSETS 2026

Pratt Miller Displays EMAV Armed With XM913 50mm Cannon at GVSETS 2026

NOVI, Mich. — Pratt Miller displayed its Expeditionary Modular Autonomous Vehicle (EMAV), also known as the EAMV MCA or Oshkosh RCV, equipped with an XM913 50mm cannon at the 18th annual Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium (GVSETS), held August 11–13 in Novi, Michigan.

The new configuration upgrades earlier versions of the tracked, hybrid-electric unmanned ground vehicle. In 2021, Pratt Miller displayed the EMAV-MCA with a 30mm XM813 Bushmaster cannon. The current vehicle carries the XM913, a 50x228mm chain gun developed at Picatinny Arsenal and produced by Northrop Grumman.

The XM913 is planned as the primary weapon for the U.S. Army's XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, which is being developed to replace the M2 Bradley. The cannon uses a dual-feed system and can fire at rates of up to 200 rounds per minute. Its ammunition includes programmable airburst capability, and the Army is also examining the XM913 for counter-unmanned aircraft system missions against Group 1–3 drones.

 

EMAV Capabilities

The EMAV is designed as a compact, highly mobile robotic combat vehicle that can operate through local control, tele-operation or autonomous modes. Its base weight is approximately 3 tons, while different EMAV/RCV-L configurations have been reported at around 3–3.8 tons. Payload capacity is up to about 3–3.2 tons.

The vehicle can reach speeds of up to 72 km/h and is designed to operate over difficult terrain, including 60% grades, 40% side slopes and vertical obstacles of about 61 centimeters. Its continuous-band rubber tracks and low center of gravity support mobility over rough and soft terrain.

The hybrid-electric powertrain also allows silent electric-only operation for watch and mobility missions. Earlier specifications included power-export capability, while related reporting has listed a range of approximately 320 km.

Its compact dimensions allow the EMAV to be transported inside MV-22 Osprey, CH-53 and CH-47 Chinook helicopters and C-130 aircraft. The modular flat deck can carry cargo, sensors or different weapon systems.

 

XM913 Integration

The 50mm cannon gives the EMAV a substantially larger weapon than the 30mm system previously displayed. The integration demonstrates the modular design of the platform, allowing it to carry a weapon originally intended for a larger manned combat vehicle.

However, the larger XM913 turret also creates a larger profile on the compact vehicle. The size of 50mm ammunition may limit the number of rounds that can be carried, while the weapon and turret must be integrated without compromising the EMAV's mobility, payload capacity and overall survivability.

The EMAV has previously been tested in U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps robotic vehicle programs, including the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle-Light (RCV-L) effort. Pratt Miller developed the platform in partnership with QinetiQ North America for autonomy and control systems. The EMAV also formed the basis of Oshkosh Defense's RCV offerings.

The XM913-equipped EMAV displayed at GVSETS 2026 is a demonstration of the platform's ability to integrate different weapons and mission systems. Its display does not indicate that the configuration has been selected for a specific U.S. military program.

GVSETS, organized by the NDIA Michigan Chapter, brings together government, industry and academic organizations to discuss ground vehicle technology, autonomy, power systems and modernization of Army and Marine Corps vehicles.

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About the Author

Aditya Kumar is a Defense & Geopolitics Analyst covering military developments, missile systems, naval strategy, and global defense affairs.