The U.S. Army has begun the MPF plan in 2017.BAE Systems was awarded a contract, along with General Dynamics, by the US Army as part of the Mobile Protected Firepower program on 17 December 2018 to create an air-transportable light tank to assist infantry brigades in forced entry operations; BAE submitted an updated M8 design with new capabilities and components. Requirements called for a tracked vehicle armed with a 105 mm or 120 mm cannon, which would not need to be air-droppable, but two would fit in a C-17 Globemaster and land on an airfield secured by infantry. The aim of this programme was to replace the M551A1 Sheridan to provide support to the 82nd Airborne Division.
The basic hull of the M8 Buford is made of welded aluminium alloy, with a modular armouring system that allows the vehicle to be equipped according to requirements. The Level I (basic) armour package is designed for the rapid deployment role and can be airdropped from a C-130 Hercules and protects the vehicle against small-arms fire and shell splinters. Level III armour can be only transported by C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III.
The 82nd Airborne Division is an active airborne infantry division of the United States Army specializing in parachute landing operations. Their role is to deploy worldwide within 18 hours of notification to conduct Forced Entry parachute assault, Airfield seizure, Airborne & air assault operations, which means they have a need for Armoured Fighting Vehicles capable of providing fire support.
