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Soldiers

Army's Future Combat Systems Program Makes Significant Progress

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The US Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program has successfully completed evaluations and tests of its initial phases, demonstrating significant progress towards linking the service to a common battlefield network. The Integrated Mission Test-1 (IMT-1) validated early prototypes of FCS battle command system software, allowing soldiers to evaluate and analyze how they executed their missions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FCS program has moved significantly from its early stages, with prototypes built for nearly every piece of equipment, according to Maj. Gen. John Bartley, program manager.
  • The IMT-1 tests were conducted after more than two years of software development and paired soldiers with industry, providing insights and recommendations on ergonomics and information display.
  • Gregg Martin, program manager FCS and Boeing vice president, stated that each FCS phase has an integrated mission test aimed at areas of risk, ensuring low-risk development.
  • The IMT-1 allowed soldiers to provide input on desired changes, which can be incorporated during development and cycled into the next design iterations.
  • The core concept of FCS is to use technology to unburden the soldier from mechanical tasks, allowing fewer soldiers to do more tasks and reducing life-cycle costs.
  • The FCS program has accelerated the development of various capabilities, including the Tactical and Urban Unmanned Ground Sensors (T-UGS and U-UGS) and the Non-Line of Sight Launch System (NLOS LS).
  • The integration of FCS modernization efforts is overseen by the Future Force Integration Directorate (FFID) at Ft. Bliss, which integrates FCS efforts with doctrine and training.

Statistics:

  • 45 soldiers participated in the IMT-1 tests at the FCS Common Control Node at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
  • The IMT-1 tests were conducted using a prototype warfighter machine interface.
  • The displays provided a common operating picture of the battle space.
  • The FCS program aims to field mature equipment to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) this summer, followed by a Limited User Test (LUT).
  • The Army has accelerated the development of several capabilities, including the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV) and the Class 1 Unmanned Air Vehicle.

Sources:

  • Ann Roosevelt, "Army's Future Combat Systems Program Makes Significant Progress"
  • Maj. Gen. John Bartley, program manager, Future Combat Systems (BCT)
  • Gregg Martin, program manager FCS and Boeing vice president
  • Dan Zanini, deputy program manager FCS and senior vice president for SAIC
  • Access Intelligence, LLC, "Future Combat Systems Program Makes Significant Progress" (Copyright 2006)

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