Future Combat Systems
Future Combat Systems (FCS) is based on Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) research, and is intended to be the core building block of the US Army’s Future Force. FCS is also intended to be joint (across all US military services) networked system of systems, however it is being developed entirely inside a US Army program office. The Boeing Company and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) are partnered together as the lead systems integrator for this program.
FCS is networked via an advanced architecture, called System of Systems Common Operating Environment (SOSCOE) 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.
FCS proponents praise its ambitious approach to linking state-of-the-art sensors, platforms, and weapons seamlessy across its network. FCS critics claim its network architecture is too "closed" (i.e. does not interact seamlessly with non-FCS programs), too expensive, and too long in the fielding.
Subsystems
FCS includes several subsystems:
- The Future Force Warrior
- 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 vehicle
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
- 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 its 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 $340 billion. The cut is seen as "positive" for the Boeing Company. Seattle Post Intelligencer, January 25, 2006
As of late December 2006, funding has been scaled back for critical elements of the overall FCS battlespace, and the most advanced elements have been deferred.
References and external links
