The newest MPF light tank for the US Army was found to have toxic smoke issues. The gun of the new army light tank emits toxic smoke into the crew compartment when fired. The American publication Breaking Defense informed that a solution to this problem could be found within the next month.

Last year, the US Army signed a $1.14 billion contract with General Dynamics Land Systems to manufacture prototypes of the new Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) light tank.

But a report released last month by the Director of Operational Testing and Evaluation (DOT&E) for fiscal 2022 found that “vulnerabilities” remained despite the prototype showing “satisfactory progress.”

The shortcomings need to be addressed before the Army decides on full-scale production in fiscal 2025.

“Achieving operational effectiveness requires minimizing MPF voice signature, improving MPF interoperability, and infantry targeting to enable sharing of target information, and improving the usability of the intercom system.‘, says the report.

The report adds that changes are needed to the cooling system and “survival indicators.” But the biggest problem was shooting from the main gun – the crew compartment was filled with “high levels of toxic vapor”.

“To solve this problem in the long term, we add a ventilation system that removes smoke from the crew area.– said the GDLS representative.

The crew of the GDLS prototype consists of four soldiers – a commander, a gunner, a loader and a driver. The Mobile Protected Firepower includes a 105mm XM35 cannon, twin machine guns and a diesel engine. If prototype tests are successful, the US Army will begin taking delivery of the first production vehicles around December 2023.