Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program

Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program

Author: Christopher G. Pernin

Publisher: Rand Corporation

Published: 2012

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780833076397

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The U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems program aimed to field an ambitious system of systems, with novel technologies integrated via an advanced wireless network. The largest and most ambitious planned acquisition program in the Army's history, it was cancelled in 2009, and some of its efforts transitioned to follow-on programs. This report documents the program's complex history and draws lessons from its experiences.


The Army's Future Combat Systems Program and Alternatives

The Army's Future Combat Systems Program and Alternatives

Author:

Publisher: Government Printing Office

Published: 2006

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13:

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In today's environment of rapidly evolving conflicts, the Army's goal is to have units that have the combat power of heavy units but that can be transported anywhere in the world in a matter of days. To address concerns about the armored vehicle fleet's aging and the difficulties involved in transporting it as well as to equip the Army more suitably to conduct operations overseas on short notice using forces based in the United States the service created the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program in 2000. A major modernization effort, the program is designed in part to develop and purchase vehicles to replace those now in the heavy forces; the new vehicles would be much lighter, thereby easing the deployment of units equipped with them. In the analysis presented in this report, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) examined the current status of the Army's fleet of armored vehicles and assessed the speed of deployment of the service's heavy forces. It also evaluated the FCS program, considering the program's costs as well as its advantages and disadvantages and comparing it with several alternative plans for modernizing the Army's heavy forces.


Army's Future Combat System (FCS); Background and Issues for Congress

Army's Future Combat System (FCS); Background and Issues for Congress

Author: Andrew Feickert

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2011-01

Total Pages: 14

ISBN-13: 143792039X

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This is a print on demand edition of a hard to find publication. The Future Combat System (FCS) was a multi-year, multi-billion dollar program at the heart of the Army¿s transformation efforts. It was to be the Army¿s major R&D, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems tied together by an extensive commun. and info. network. The FCS program has been characterized as a high-risk venture due to the advanced technologies involved and the challenge of networking all of the FCS subsystems together. Contents of this report: (1) Program Origins; (2) Program Overview; Current FCS Program Status; Army¿s Modernization Strategy; Budget Issues; (3) Issues for Congress: MGV Cancellation; Army Modernization Strategy and Spin Outs; Proposed Ground Combat Vehicles. Illustrations.


Technology Development for Army Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Technology Development for Army Unmanned Ground Vehicles

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2003-02-01

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 0309086205

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Unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) are expected to play a key role in the Army's Objective Force structure. These UGVs would be used for weapons platforms, logistics carriers, and reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition among other things. To examine aspects of the Army's UGV program, assess technology readiness, and identify key issues in implementing UGV systems, among other questions, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology asked the National Research Council (NRC) to conduct a study of UGV technologies. This report discusses UGV operational requirements, current development efforts, and technology integration and roadmaps to the future. Key recommendations are presented addressing technical content, time lines, and milestones for the UGV efforts.


Defense Acquisitions: 2009 Review of Future Combat Systems Is Critical to Program¿s Direction

Defense Acquisitions: 2009 Review of Future Combat Systems Is Critical to Program¿s Direction

Author: Paul L. Francis

Publisher: DIANE Publishing

Published: 2008-07

Total Pages: 17

ISBN-13: 1437903622

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The Future Combat System (FCS) program -- which comprises 14 integrated weapon systems and an advanced info. network -- is the centerpiece of the Army¿s effort to transition to a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force. The technical challenges, the Army¿s acquisition strategy, and the cost of the program are among the reasons why the program needs special oversight and review. This testimony is based on reports on FCS and addresses: (1) how the definition, dev¿t., and demo. of FCS capabilities are proceeding, esp. in light of the go/no-go decision scheduled for 2009; (2) the Army¿s plans for making production commitments for FCS and any risks related to the completion of dev¿t.; and (3) the est. costs for developing and producing FCS.