In September, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) will host a proposer's day to give potential contractors a more clear idea of what the Defense Department wants in its Ground X-Vehicle Technologies program.

"GXV-T's goal is not just to improve or replace one particular vehicle ? it's about breaking the 'more armor' paradigm and revolutionizing protection for all armored fighting vehicles," Kevin Massey, DARPA program manager, said in an Aug. 18 press release.

Historically, militaries and industry have responded to improved or more lethal attacks on its armored vehicles by adding more armor. But armor-piercing weapons technology has pretty much taken the day in that competition, advancing faster than industry's ability to come up with armor to withstand penetration, Massey said.