It has been reported that General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Germany's MTU are teaming up to compete for the U. S. Army's much-vaunted ground combat vehicle.

A senior managing engineer was being sought to coordinate the team that would also include Land Systems, as suggested by a job listing published by national media.

Lockheed was designated as the builder of the vehicle turret but neither of the companies involved in the project confirmed the intended team-up.

Defense News has reported that in fact, the job listing was removed soon after the Lockheed and GD press offices were asked about it.

The report said, "The Army's ground combat vehicle effort is replacing the Future Combat Systems vehicle program. The service intends to award up to three contracts for a 27-month technology development phase."

It was noted by the report that the bidding deadline is May 21 with the contract winner expected to be announced four months later.

It has been anticipated by Military experts that the first ground combat vehicle to be used in infantry fighting, providing what they call a "highly survivable platform" for transferring infantry squads in field operations.

DefenseWorld said, "The ground combat vehicle is the first vehicle that will be designed from the ground up to operate in an improvised explosive device environment."

Also vying for the bid is BAE Systems, which has teamed with Northrop Grumman. Other industry teams have yet to be announced.

A Boeing spokeswoman in an April 28 e-mail published by Defense News "Boeing is determining the best way forward to provide value and a balanced (infantry fight vehicle) design to the Army as part of its Ground Combat Vehicle Modernization program." (With Inputs from Agencies)