AUSA Backgrund Brief N. 103W June 2005 An Institute f Land Warfare Publicatin Future Cmbat Systems: Taking the Current Frce int the Future Technlgies that are changing the way we fight wars in rder t keep the peace, [including] the Army s Future Cmbat Systems... will give every Sldier precise tactical infrmatin in the heat f battle. President Gerge W. Bush* Backgrund Future Cmbat Systems (FCS) represents the Army s primary initiative t reduce r eliminate capability gaps in the Future Frce assessed against the estimated capabilities f future enemy threats. The FCS prgram is the centerpiece f DOTMLPF (dctrine, rganizatin, training, materiel, leader develpment, persnnel and facilities) slutins fr the Future Frce. It is tied directly t achieving cncepts and capabilities t meet the needs f the future Jint Frce. FCS will cnsist f a family f advanced, netwrked air- and grund-based maneuver, maneuver supprt and sustainment systems. It emplys a revlutinary, integrated architecture t help meet the future Jint and Army cmmanders requirements. These capabilities include netwrked cmmunicatins, netwrked peratins, sensrs, battle cmmand systems, training platfrms, and bth manned and unmanned recnnaissance and surveillance capabilities. These will enable imprved situatinal understanding and peratins at a level f synchrnizatin heretfre unachievable. FCS-equipped Unit f Actin (UA) Within a Balanced Frce The Future Frce will be a mixed frce f heavy, light, Stryker and FCS. The FCS-equipped brigade encmpasses mre than a new set f capabilities; this rganizatin reflects a fundamentally transfrmed methd f cmbat. The cre f the FCS maneuver UA cmprises the 18 manned and unmanned platfrms centered n the Sldier and integrated by a netwrk. The Future Cmbat Systems-equipped UA is nt just a unique brigade cmbat team built arund a family f systems. Rather, it is the crnerstne f future Army Mdular Frce capabilities, prviding the Jint Frce with dminant landpwer capability that is decisive in any peratin, against any level f threat, in any envirnment. The FCS-equipped brigade balances the capabilities fr strategic respnsiveness and battlespace dminance. The FCS-equipped UA can be tailred with additinal capabilities fr specific missins during *Remarks at signing ceremny fr the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Apprpriatins Bill, 5 August 2004
We have a cncept f develpment where we evlve frm the Current Frce t the Future Frce in a cntinuus, seamless manner and we... start t netwrk the Current Frce. Dr. Francis J. Harvey, Secretary f the Army, in testimny befre the Huse Armed Services Cmmittee re the Fiscal Year 2006 Army Budget a campaign. It allws cmmand and cntrl f up t six cmbined-arms battalins by ne cmmander. It is able t emply a range f supprting capabilities t perfrm a variety f missins such as reinfrcing fires, engineering peratins, military plice tasks, air and missile defense, psychlgical peratins and civil affairs. The FCS-equipped UA is designed t ensure a campaign-quality Army. Althugh it has the respnsiveness and deplyability t achieve rapid Army deplyment gals, it is designed with the durability, endurance and stamina t fight battles and engagements fr the duratin f a campaign. Given its inherent tactical mbility, it can land at pints remved frm its bjectives and ut f range f enemy defenses, then mve by land t cmplete its missin. This capability applies nt nly t entry peratins but als t theater peratins thrughut the campaign. Spiral Acquisitin Strategy The Army is accelerating Future Cmbat Systems by putting FCS technlgies int the current Army Mdular Frce. This will reduce peratinal risk by imprving the Current Frce s survivability, its intelligence, surveillance and recnnaissance and its jint interdependence. As emerging FCS capabilities enhance the Current Frce, the Current Frce s peratinal experience infrms the FCS prgram, mitigating future challenges and risk. FCS technlgies will migrate int the Current Frce thrugh a series f fur spirals r spin-ffs. The first FCS capabilities, cnsisting f prttypes fielded t an evaluatin brigade cmbat team, cme int the frce in Fiscal Year 2008. Fllwing successful evaluatin, prductin and fielding f the first increment (spiral 1) t Current Frce units will cmmence in 2010. This prcess will be repeated fr each successive spiral. By 2014, the Army frce structure will include ne UA equipped with all 18+1 FCS cre systems and additinal Mdular BCTs with selected FCS capabilities. (See graphic n page 10.) Future Capabilities int the Current Frce The Army s plan t adjust the FCS prgram is based n the fact that a natin at war must prvide fr its peratinal frces the best pssible capabilities. Additinally, the prgram adjustment reflects that the Army, as a learning institutin, has heeded the cunsel f several independent review panels, including the Welch panels, Gvernment Accuntability Office (GAO) and Cngressinal Budget Office (CBO) studies, and the Institute fr Defense Analyses. FCS remains at the heart f the Army s strategy t adjudicate risk using the Current-t-Future-Frce cnstruct. Under this cnstruct, the future Army Mdular Frce infrms develpment f the current Mdular Frce. This is the centerpiece f the adjustment: prviding the Current Frce with FCS capabilities sner rather than later. Mdular frces slve immediate Army shrtfalls and urgent frce capability gaps. The Army has used the FCS-equipped UA peratinal and rganizatinal plan as the starting pint t create a mdular, brigade-based Army. Thrugh its Mdular Frce effrts, the Army is rapidly mving its Current Frce tward the characteristics envisined fr the FCS-equipped UA; 2
this will enable the Army t transitin int FCSequipped units and FCS-enabled methds f peratin. Furthermre, the mdular design imprves the Current Frce s versatility, agility, infrmatin superirity and full-spectrum capabilities that are paramunt t the FCSequipped UA. These tw majr initiatives are nt cmpeting; rather, they are truly cmplementary, bth striving tward achieving the peratinal requirements fr landpwer. Using primarily rganizatinal change t achieve peratinal needs, mdular frces enable leader develpment and feedback fr Future Frce develpments. The FCS-equipped UA will capitalize n the Mdular Frce initiative and g further in achieving land frce peratinal needs by effecting change thrugh new materiel. It is thrugh this new materiel and Mdular Frce design that the peratinal cncepts and tactics, techniques and prcedures (TTPs) envisined fr the Future Frce will becme a reality. Organizatinal and Equipment Overview FCS is a family f systems designed arund a cmmn netwrk with advanced, netwrked airand grund-based systems including manned cmbat vehicles, unmanned air and grund vehicles, unattended sensrs and unattended munitins all with embedded and netwrked battle cmmand that perates as a system f systems, with all platfrms capable f tactical airlift. Future Cmbat Systems is cnnected via an advanced netwrk architecture that will enable levels f jint cnnectivity, situatinal awareness and understanding, and synchrnized peratins heretfre unachievable. Cre equipment systems. FCS includes 18+1+1 cre systems cmprising: Eight manned grund vehicles. FCS has eight manned vehicles designed t perfrm the tasks required in the maneuver and maneuver supprt functins f the UA: Munted Cmbat System (MCS): Prvides direct and beynd-line-f-sight ffensive firepwer in its primary rle f prviding direct supprt. MCS is capable f rapid-rate precisin fires t destry multiple targets at standff ranges. Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV): Cmprises fur versins cmpany cmmander, platn leader, rifle squad and weapns squad each with turret-munted fire supprt weapns. Bth the rifle and weapns squad variants will transprt nine Sldiers. Nn-Line-f-Sight Cannn (NLOS-C): Prvides netwrked, extended-range targeting and precisin attack fires n pint and area targets. The primary rle f NLOS-C is in supprt f FCS cmbatarms battalins and subrdinate units. Nn-Line-f-Sight Mrtar (NLOS-M): Prvides clse supprt fires fr tactical maneuver. A dismunted 81mm capability is retained by the FCS mrtar platns. Recnnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle (RSV): With its advanced sensr suite, will detect, lcate, track, classify and autmatically identify targets at lng standff ranges, under all climatic cnditins, day r night. RSV equipping includes unattended grund sensrs, a small unmanned grund vehicle with varius paylads, and tw unmanned aerial vehicles. Cmmand and Cntrl Vehicle (C2V): Prvides the hub fr battlefield cmmand and cntrl by incrprating systems fr infrmatin management f the integrated FCS netwrk f cmmunicatins. The C2V has data and sensr capabilities and tls enabling the synchrnizing f infrmatin, crdinating f actin and increasing situatinal understanding and the distributin f a cmmn perating picture. Medical Vehicle-Treatment (MV-T) and Medical Vehicle-Evacuatin (MV-E): 3
Prvide advanced trauma management and advanced trauma life supprt. FCS Recvery and Maintenance Vehicle (FRMV): Prvides the recvery and maintenance system t sustain and generate cmbat pwer. One family f Unattended Grund Sensrs (UGS). The FCS Unattended Grund Sensrs prgram cnsists f tactical and urban sensrs: Tactical-UGS (T-UGS), which includes Intelligence, Surveillance and Recnnaissance (ISR)-UGS and Chemical, Bilgical, Radilgical and Nuclear (CBRN)-UGS; Urban-UGS (U-UGS), als knwn as Urban Military Operatins in Urban Terrain (MOUT) Advanced Sensr System. Tw Unattended Munitins. FCS has tw unattended munitins prgrams: Nn-Line f Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS): Cnsists f a family f missiles and a highly deplyable, platfrm-independent Cntainer Launch Unit (C/LU) with self-cntained tactical fire cntrl electrnics and sftware fr remte and unmanned peratins. The Precisin Attack Missiles (PAMs) are being designed t defeat heavy armred targets. PAM is a mdular, multimissin, guided missile with tw trajectries a direct-fire r fast-attack trajectry and a bst-glide trajectry. Intelligent Munitins System (IMS): Prvides, unattended, bth ffensive battlespace shaping and defensive frce prtectin capabilities fr the Future Frce. IMS is a system f lethal and nnlethal munitins integrated with rbust cmmand and cntrl features, cmmunicatins devices, sensrs and seekers that make it an integral part f the Future Cmbat Systems netwrk s cre systems. Fur Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). There are fur classes f unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rganic t platn, cmpany, battalin and brigade echelns. Each f these UAVs is designed t prvide Recnnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisitin (RSTA) frm the dismunted Sldier t each rganizatinal level up t brigade echeln. Each class has extended ranges and duratins based n the element it is designed t supprt. Three classes f Unmanned Grund Vehicles (UGVs). The three classes f unmanned grund vehicles are the Armed Rbtic Vehicle (ARV), the Small Unmanned Grund Vehicle (SUGV) and the Multifunctinal Utility/Lgistics and Equipment (MULE) Vehicle : The ARV cmes in tw variants: the Assault variant and the Recnnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisitin (RSTA) variant. The SUGV is a small, lightweight, manprtable UGV capable f cnducting military peratins in urban terrain tunnels, sewers and caves. The MULE Vehicle is a 2.5-tn UGV that will prvide lgistics supprt t dismunted peratins. Three cmmn chassis variants are planned: transprt, cuntermine and armed rbtic vehicleassault-light (ARV-A-L). The netwrk and the Sldier (+1, +1). The Army s FCS netwrk allws the FCS Family f Systems (FS) t perate as a chesive system-f-systems in which the whle f its capabilities is greater than the sum f its parts. As the key t the Army s transfrmatin, the netwrk, including its lgistics and Embedded Training (ET) systems, enables the Future Frce t emply revlutinary peratinal and rganizatinal cncepts. The netwrk enables Sldiers t perceive, cmprehend, shape and 4
dminate the future battlefield at unprecedented levels. All Sldiers in the UA are part f the Sldieras-a-System verarching requirements, encmpassing everything the Sldier wears, carries and cnsumes t include unit radis, crew-served weapns and unit-specific equipment in the executin f tasks and duties. The FCS Sldier, regardless f Military Occupatinal Specialty (MOS), will be enabled t perfrm Army cmmn tasks and functins mre efficiently and effectively. FCS Unit f Actin Structure The FCS-equipped UA design is a mdular rganizatin that is tailrable based n the peratinal cnsideratins f missin, enemy, terrain, trps, time available and civil cnsideratins, (METT-TC), and it is capable f receiving Unit f Emplyment, Jint Frce and Special Operatins augmentatin. Cmmanders have the ability t task rganize n the mve and can perate successfully in pen rlling, urban and ther cmplex terrain (muntains, dense frest and jungle). The FCS-equipped UA can be tailred with additinal capabilities fr specific missins during a campaign. It allws cmmand and cntrl f up t six cmbined-arms battalins by ne cmmander. It is als able t emply a range f supprting capabilities t perfrm a variety f missins such as reinfrcing fires, engineering peratins, military plice tasks, air and missile defense, psychlgical peratins and civil affairs. Special Operatins elements can add language capability as well as civilian interface and psychlgical peratins abilities. This mdular design facilitates greater flexibility fr the cmmander and minimizes its deplyment ftprint. The FCS-equipped UA is a netwrk-enabled frce. Its vast sensr array will dramatically imprve a cmmander s situatinal awareness. Sensr-shter relatinships begin with the Sldier and exist thrughut the frmatin, allwing the FCS-equipped UA t accurately direct internally generated effects r thse generated frm supprting units and jint assets. This ability t cperatively engage targets with tactical-, peratinal- and strategic-level assets will be accmplished in secnds rather than minutes. The FCS-equipped UA presuppses platfrm superirity and emphasizes teaming f teams t achieve cmbat pwer synergy. The FCS-equipped UA will be ptimized t develp the situatin ut f cntact (befre frces are jined), thrwing the enemy ff balance by destrying his high-payff systems befre he can maneuver t a psitin f advantage. The FCS-equipped UA sets the cnditins and islates enemy frmatins t enable it t clse with and destry the enemy at a time and place f its chsing. Thugh ptimized t develp the situatin ut f cntact, it will be capable f finishing engagements decisively. FCS will be capable f prviding the needed prtectin t ensure survivability. Als, FCS will enable the Army t rapidly adapt and field imprved survivability systems in respnse t emerging threats. The FCS-equipped UA, a cmbined-arms frce built t be interdependent with jint frces, can wrk directly fr a jint task frce. A key cnstruct f this design is the ability t develp sensr-t-shter linkages acrss service lines. The FCS-equipped UA, designed with an peratinal architecture that allws it t access jint assets, is built t leverage the best capabilities f ther services vice building redundant capabilities int the FCS-equipped UA. (See graphic n page 11.) Headquarters Cmpany. The UA HQ prvides C2, infrmatin management and cmmunicatins t enable the UA cmmand grup t plan and execute missins. It als prvides administrative and lgistical staff supprt t the headquarters sectin and any attached units. Brigade Intelligence and Cmmunicatins Cmpany (BICC). The BICC plans, crdinates and directs rganic and external signal assets t supprt the UA in achieving seamless 5
cmmunicatins architectures, an assured infrmatin management cnstruct and a reliable netwrk gateway t external resurces. The BICC enables practive decisins by the cmmander by prviding timely, relevant and accurate early warning and predictive intelligence based n infrmatin frm rganic sensrs and external surces. It establishes, maintains and cntrls bth the cmmunicatin and knwledge grid structures, enabling the effective utilizatin f the Battle Cmmand System in supprt f the UA cmmander. Three FCS-equipped Cmbined-Arms Battalins (CABs). Each battalin is capable f clsing with the enemy by means f cmbined-arms fire and maneuver and tactical assault t destry the enemy, repel his assaults and/r seize terrain. Recnnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisitin (RSTA) Squadrn. The RSTA squadrn recnniters t find r fix threats and t build and share the cmmn peratinal picture tailred t the air-grund team as it relates t task r purpse, allwing the cmmander t fcus cmbat pwer at the decisive pint and at the right time. It als cnducts security peratins t prvide early warning, reactin time, maneuver space and prtectin t air-grund mvement and maneuver. Nn-Line-f-Sight (NLOS) Battalin. The battalin prvides destructive, suppressive, prtective and special-purpse fires and effects t enable the UA t cnduct decisive peratins. It is rganized and equipped t acquire targets and deliver fires and effects at extended ranges in all terrain types and envirnments t deny enemy frces sanctuary; prvide precisin pint and area effects frm dispersed lcatins; and rapidly shift striking pwer acrss the area f peratins. Frward Supprt Battalin (FSB). The battalin distributes supply classes fr fd, extra materials, fuel and lubricants, cnstructin materials, ammunitin and explsives, medical, repair parts and water. It perfrms field maintenance and recvery and prvides health service supprt fr frce health prtectin t the UA and its attached units. It carries the sustainment stcks that exceed the rganic carrying capability f the UA s maneuver and maneuver supprt. It plans and crdinates fr the UA sustainment requirements. Analytical Underpinnings An extensive bdy f analysis ver the past decade (Luisiana Maneuvers Exercises, Army After Next studies, wargaming and analysis, and Frce XXI digitizatin experiments) underpins FCS develpment and cntinues t this day. The cllective effrt that has prduced cmpelling evidence t supprt senir-leader decisinmaking is remarkable fr its degrees f cmplexity, innvatin, rapidness and integratin f Army, Department f Defense (DD) and industry analysis resurces. Recent effrts can be divided int fur distinct analyses: Defense Advanced Research Prjects Agency (DARPA)/TRADOC Analysis Cmmand (TRAC)/Fur Industry Teams Analysis (January 2000 Octber 2001). In January 2000, the FCS Army Analysis Integrated Prduct Team (AIPT), spnsred by the FCS Prgram Manager (PM) f DARPA, initiated a unique analysis that was largely a cllabratin f Army analytic rganizatins and the fur industry teams cntracted by DARPA t perfrm FCS cncept explratin and design. Frm April 2000 t Octber 2001, industry and Army analysts wrked side-by-side t evaluate emerging cncepts fr FCS. This effrt helped shape the cncepts f the Army and the FCS Lead System Integratr (LSI), and was fundatinal fr the Analysis f Alternatives (AA) cnducted during FCS Cncept and Technlgy Develpment (CTD). FCS Milestne B Analysis f Alternatives (January 2000 May 2003). As the fundatinal pillar f this bdy f analysis, the Army cnducted an FCS AA t infrm a May 2003 Milestne B (MS B) decisin fr the FCS prgram t enter System Develpment and Demnstratin (SDD). The mst cmplex AA ever undertaken by the Army and perhaps 6
by DD, it supprted DD, jint and Army senir leaders decisins fr implementing and adjusting the FCS prgram. Dne cncurrently with develpment f the FCS Unit f Actin Operatin and Organizatin (O&O) cncept and the FCS Operatinal Requirements Dcument (ORD), and system definitin f the FCS family f systems, the AA analyzed seven alternatives acrss nine jint peratinal and tactical warfighting scenaris, emplying 50 different mdels and simulatins. The AA study team cmprised a diverse membership frm acrss the Army, Federally Funded Research and Develpment Centers (FFRDCs) and industry, further distinguished by its inclusin f the LSI. Mst imprtant, the team was highly qualified, innvative and fully cmmitted t the AA. The team wargamed r simulated mre than 10,000 scenari hurs fr recrd, giving special attentin t the mdeling and analysis f cmmunicatins architectures, netwrked sensrs and fires, and peratins within a jint frce. The AA fund FCS t be the preferred alternative based n csts and effectiveness. At the tactical and peratinal levels, the brigade cmbat team equipped with the FCS increment 1: leveraged and enabled mre effective jint peratins; were able t affect a larger area f peratins (AO); accmplished the missins faster; killed the threat earlier and at lnger ranges; survived as well as r better than units alternatively equipped; deplyed faster (except fr light frces) and built cmbat pwer mre quickly; and demanded less sustainment with a smaller lgistics ftprint. FCS Key Perfrmance Parameter (KPP) Analysis (June 2003 May 2004). The KPP analysis was designed t infrm and underpin the KPP metrics established in the FCS ORD. Its principal findings supprted the 24 May 2004 Army Requirements Oversight Cuncil (AROC). The analysis began in June 2003 fllwing the May 2003 FCS MS B decisin and relied upn prven methds used in the FCS AA while als incrprating new techniques develped fr the unique requirements f the KPP analysis. It fcused n determining if the threshld values fr Netwrked Battle Cmmand, Netwrked Lethality, Transprtability, Sustainability/Reliability, Training and Survivability enable the FCS-equipped UA t be effective during the cnduct f cmbat peratins. The KPP analysis supprted the ORDestablished KPP threshld values fr the FCS System f Systems (SS) and fund: Values set fr KPPs enabled the FCSequipped UA t successfully cnduct the peratins described in the UA O&O plan. When the UA cnducted peratins with the FCS SS perating at their threshld values fr netwrk dependability, peratinal availability, netwrked lethality and survivability, the UA retained enugh cmbat pwer t cnduct fllw-n peratins, albeit with sme risks. The netwrk enabled the cmmander s situatinal awareness, the UA s ability t leverage netwrked lethality and t engage the threat at extended ranges and ut f cntact. When severely degraded, the netwrk cntributed t mre frequent, unexpected clse fights; as a result, UA survivability suffered as well. The netwrk enabled the rganic lethal capabilities f the FCS SS t be dminant killers f threat, and als enabled the lethal capabilities f the Unit f Emplyment and jint frces t be significant cntributrs as well. 7
The UA achieved missin success with the FCS SS perfrming at the Sustainability/ Reliability KPP threshld values. Hwever, the UA s ability t accmplish an immediate fllw-n missin was at risk due t a buildup f maintenance wrklad and cmbat lsses f sustainment assets. The Survivability KPP threshld enabled significant prtectin f the FCS SS and UA survivability but did nt make the FCS platfrms invulnerable t threat actins. The UA was able t cnduct fllw-n peratins; hwever, there was risk psed by lsses f ICVs and nn- FCS SS sustainment assets resulting frm threat targeting pririties and clsein engagements. Bad weather reduced netwrked lethality, but it als imprved Blue (friendly) Frce survivability. Bad weather mre negatively impacted the threat, allwing the FCSequipped UA t retain a relative cmbat advantage. FCS Analysis f Alternatives Update (May 2004 Octber 2004). The AA Update analysis built upn the innvative methdlgies prven in the AA and KPP Analysis. Mre than 2,000 ttal scenari hurs were wargamed r simulated fr recrd, and 10,000 mre were devted t preparatin and analysis supprt. A diverse and highly qualified study team frm acrss the Army, supprted by FFRDCs and industry and led by the FCS Lead System Integratr, perfrmed the update. It was further distinguished by its inclusin f the FCS LSI. The update fcused n further imprving the treatment f the cmmunicatins netwrk and its effect n frce utcmes, t include the additin f netwrk attack, as well as imprving the treatment f the sustainment cncept and capabilities and their impact n the FCS frce. The study team als addressed the impact f a majr change t the FCSequipped UA aviatin structure and assessed the cnduct f peratins in jungle terrain. Prgram Oversight The FCS prgram has bth the advantage and challenge f cntinuus prgram versight frm fur levels Cngress, Office f the Secretary f Defense (OSD), Jint Staff and Army. Cngress is kept infrmed by quarterly updates, and GAO has a persn n site in St. Luis t versee the prgram. GAO has cmpleted fur audits with n findings that required crrective actin and currently has fur audits underway that include verview f cmmunicatins, the Lead System Integratr cncept, a quick lk review, and a review related t Milestne B update dcumentatin. OSD versight is als cmprehensive and cntinuus. The Institute fr Defense Analyses has cnducted several studies including the panel studies and an FCS management review. In fact, FCS restructuring in the Fiscal Year 2006 11 Prgram Objective Memrandum (POM) was a direct result f their independent reviews and an effrt n the part f the Army t make the FCS prgram mre affrdable and executable. Onging versight cmes frm the Cst Analysis Imprvement Grup, the Defense Acquisitin Bard, the Overarching Integrated Prcess Team and the Jint Staff thrugh the Jint Capability Integratin and Develpment System (JCIDS) prcess. Army versight is even mre cmprehensive; in additin t nrmal versight, it includes quarterly fur-star reviews by Army Training and Dctrine Cmmand (TRADOC); a bard f directrs that includes senir Army staff and Assistant Secretary f the Army fr Acquisitin, Lgistics and Technlgy (ASA/ALT), TRADOC and Prject Manager persnnel. In additin, Secretary f the Army Francis J. Harvey and Army Chief f Staff General Peter J. Schmaker recently annunced that they will cnduct in-depth reviews f the prgram at least three times a year. Secretary Harvey, in clse cnsultatin with General Schmaker, will als serve as the Army apprval authrity fr all majr changes t the prgram. 8
FCS Cntract Restructure On 6 April 2005, Secretary Harvey annunced a restructuring f the business aspects f the Future Cmbat Systems prgram. The changes are cmprehensive and include cntractual, prgrammatic and managerial imprvements. The imprvements frmally link the FCS prgram t the Army Mdular Frce Initiative thrugh a Future Cmbat Frce Strategy that establishes a framewrk fr the cntinuus prgressin f the current Mdular Frce int the future. The Future Cmbat Frce Strategy prvides fr the spiraling f FCS-based technlgies int the current Mdular Frce, integratin f current cmbat lessns in areas f dctrine, rganizatin, equipment and ther key elements and int the frce, and eventual incrpratin f advanced manned cmbat platfrms develped in the FCS prgram. Secretary Harvey directed that the current FCS Other Transactin Agreement (OTA) with the Lead System Integratr change frm an OTA t a Federal Acquisitin Regulatin-based cntract. Cnclusin Future Cmbat Systems (FCS) is key t achieving a strategically respnsive, precisin maneuver frce that is dminant acrss the range f military peratins as utlined fr the Army s Future Frce cncept. The FCS-equipped Unit f Actin will perate as a system f systems and will prvide the needed prtectin t ensure survivability. Current designs fr FCS prvide a suite f prtectin capabilities greater than thse f current manned grund systems. The Army is emplying better business practices by transfrming its business, resurcing and acquisitin prcess fr FCS. Restructuring the management f the FCS prgram will increase its emphasis n jintly fighting the Glbal War n Terrrism. Cntract changes prvide greater cntrl, safeguards and incentives fr cntractr perfrmance. The FCS is nw frmally linked t the Army Mdular Frce Initiative t fulfill the Army Future Cmbat Frce Strategy. We are cmmitted t the Future Cmbat Systems, but this is a jurney. It is nt a destinatin. General Peter J. Schmaker, Army Chief f Staff, in testimny befre the Huse Armed Services Cmmittee re the Fiscal Year 2006 Army Budget 9
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12 Assciatin f the United States Army www.ausa.rg