Future Combat Systems

Encyclopedia : F : FU : FUT : Future Combat Systems

Future Combat Systems (FCS) is the core building block of the US Army’s Future Force. FCS is a joint (across all US military services) networked system of systems.

FCS is networked via an advanced architecture that will enable unprecedented levels of joint connectivity and situational awareness (See: Network-centric warfare)

FCS will network existing systems, systems already under development, and systems to be developed.

Subsystems

FCS includes several subsystems:

The Future Force Warrior (Infantry Soldier)
The Network itself
Manned Ground Vehicles
* Mounted Combat System (MCS)
* Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV)
* Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C)
* Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar (NLOS-M)
* Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle (RSV)
* Command and Control Vehicle (C2V)
* Medical Vehicle (MV)
* Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle (FRMV)
Unmanned Ground Vehicles
* Armed Robotic Vehicle (ARV)
* Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV)
* Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
* Class I UAV
* Class II UAV
* Class III UAV
* Class IV UAV
Devices
* Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS)
* Intelligent Munitions System (IMS)
* Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS)

(Exclusively aquatic vehicles and manned aerial vehicles are outside the scope of FCS. Having unique requirements, they are the traditional realm of the US Navy and the US Air Force.)

Development and Timeline

FCS will use a spiral model for development and upgrades. As of 2004, FCS is in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase, which includes four two-year spirals. Spiral 1 will begin fielding in Fiscal Year 2008 and consist of prototypes fielded to the Evaluation Brigade Combat Team (BCT) for their use and evaluation. Following successful evaluation, production and fielding of Spiral 1 will commence in 2010.

To date, the program continues to perform well. In August, 2005, the program met 100% of the criteria in it's most important milestone to date, Systems of Systems Functional Review. [Boeing News Release, August 15, 2005]

An October 5, 2005, Pentagon team recommended "further delaying the Army's Future Combat Systems program, led by Boeing Co." in light of the costs of the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina, and expected declines in future budgets. [Wired News, October 17, 2005]

"Pentagon takes minimal cut out of Boeing program" - the Pentagon announced it plans to cut the 2007-2011, $25 billion FCS budget by only $236 million dollars spread over the next 5 years. The entire program is expected to cost $161 billion. The cut is seen as "positive" for The Boeing Company. [Seattle Post Intelligencer, January 25, 2006]

References

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