Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program

Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program PDF Author: Christopher G. Pernin
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833076397
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
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.

Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program

Lessons from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program PDF Author: Christopher G. Pernin
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833076397
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
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.

Early Lessons Learned from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program (FCS)

Early Lessons Learned from the Army's Future Combat Systems Program (FCS) PDF Author: Joseph Yakovac
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Armored vehicles, Military
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
The Future Combat System (FCS) program is, without a doubt, the most challenging modernization program ever attempted by the Army. The requirement defines the need to develop and field a fully integrated system-of-systems consisting of manned ground vehicles, unmanned ground systems, and unmanned aerial systems -- all connected by a complex network. The program is in its fifth year of System Development and Demonstration. Despite two restructures, due to reprioritizations of dollars within the Army and budget cuts imposed by Congress, the program remains on schedule to deliver capability to the current force in 2010 and, by 2017, to field a fully equipped FCS brigade combat team. To date, most articles, studies, and reports on FCS have focused on the complexities of the task of developing and fielding a system-of-systems and on the unique contractual arrangement between the Army and the program's lead system integrator. This paper provides early lessons learned from the FCS program that may be useful to acquisition professionals facing the challenges of managing the complexity inherent in 21st-century Department of Defense programs.

The Army's Future Combat System (FCS)

The Army's Future Combat System (FCS) PDF Author: Andrew Feickert
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Future Combat System (FCS) was a multiyear, multibillion dollar program at the heart of the Army's transformation efforts. It was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems tied together by an extensive communications and information network. FCS was intended to replace current systems such as the M-1 Abrams tank and the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. The FCS program has been characterized by the Army and others as a high-risk venture due to the advanced technologies involved and the challenge of networking all of the FCS subsystems together so that FCS-equipped units could function as intended. The FCS program exists in a dynamic national security environment which ultimately played a role in determining the program's fate. Some questioned if FCS, envisioned and designed prior to September 11, 2001 to combat conventional land forces, was relevant in current and anticipated future conflicts where counterinsurgency and stabilization operations are expected to be the norm. The Army contended, however, that FCS was relevant throughout the "entire spectrum of conflict" and that a number of FCS technologies and systems were effectively used in counterinsurgency and stabilization campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. On April 6, 2009, Secretary of Defense Gates announced that he intended to significantly restructure the FCS program. The Department of Defense (DOD) plans to accelerate the spin out of selected FCS technologies to all brigade combat teams (BCTs) but will recommend canceling the manned ground vehicle (MGV) component of the program, which was intended to field eight separate tracked combat vehicle variants built on a common chassis that would eventually replace combat vehicles such as the M-1 Abrams tank, the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and the M-109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system. Secretary Gates was concerned that there were significant unanswered questions in the FCS vehicle design strategy and that despite some adjustments to the MGVs, they did not adequately reflect the lessons of counterinsurgency and close quarters combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Secretary Gates also critical that the FCS program did not include a role for Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) vehicles that have been used successfully in current conflicts. After re-evaluating requirements, technology, and approach, DOD will re-launch the Army's vehicle modernization program, including a competitive bidding process. Plans for transition from the FCS program to a new program where the Army intends to modernize all BCTs with remaining FCS technologies will likely be of critical congressional interest. The developments of a new Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) to replace the canceled MGVs could also be subject to congressional debate and oversight

The Army's Future Combat System Program

The Army's Future Combat System Program PDF Author: Christian N. Feliciano
Publisher: Nova Science Publishers
ISBN: 9781607412625
Category : Armored vehicles, Military
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
This book provides information on the issue of the capabilities and affordability of the FCS program. The Future Combat System (FCS) is the U.S. Army's multi-year, multi-billion dollar program at the heart of the Army's transformation efforts. It is the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems tied together by an extensive communications and information network. The FCS program exists in a dynamic national security environment which could significantly influence the program's outcome. The primary issues presented to 110th Congress are the capabilities and affordability of the FCS program, and the likelihood, given a myriad of factors, that the Army will be able to field its first FCS-equipped brigade by 2014 and eventually field up to 15 FCS-equipped brigades. This book will address a variety of issues including the program's timeline, budget, program management issues, current program developmental progress and challenges, and FCS's relevance in the current and potential future security environments.

The Army's Future Combat Systems Program and Alternatives

The Army's Future Combat Systems Program and Alternatives PDF Author: Frances M. Lussier
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Armored vehicles, Military
Languages : en
Pages : 118

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Book Description


Issues Facing the Army's Future Combat Systems Program

Issues Facing the Army's Future Combat Systems Program PDF Author: Paul L. Francis
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Deployment (Strategy)
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description


Defense Acquisitions: Issues to Be Considered for Army¿s Modernization of Combat Systems

Defense Acquisitions: Issues to Be Considered for Army¿s Modernization of Combat Systems PDF Author: Paul L. Francis
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
ISBN: 1437918174
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 18

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Book Description
Future Combat System (FCS) has been at the center of the Army's efforts to become a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force by replacing existing combat systems with a family of manned and unmanned vehicles and systems, linked by an advanced info. network. To meet the challenges of FCS's scope and schedule, the Army contracted with Boeing to be lead systems integrator, to help define, develop, and integrate FCS systems. This statement reviews aspects of FCS that should be considered for inclusion in future efforts, aspects that were problematic and need re-examination, and considerations for shaping future Army ground force modernization. Illustrations.

Exploring Advanced Technologies for the Future Combat Systems Program

Exploring Advanced Technologies for the Future Combat Systems Program PDF Author: John Matsumura
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833030269
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 79

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Book Description
Summarizes the research findings of a study that explored a range of advanced technologies for potential contribution to the Future Combat Systems program.

Future Combat Systems

Future Combat Systems PDF Author: Michael B. Glenn
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Communication in organizations
Languages : en
Pages : 30

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Book Description
The current Army modernization strategy is at risk due to increasing pressures to cut investments in Future Combat Systems (FCS). The Army faces an age-old dilemma: arriving at the right investment balance between current demands and relevant future forces. Although the Army firmly intends to avoid sacrificing future capabilities in order to fund near-term operations, the strategy to accomplish this balance is failing. Widely criticized as an unsustainable strategy, the FCS program is at the center of the current debate. This SRP explains why FCS, the centerpiece of Army modernization, is placing this strategy at risk. The Army's failure to effectively communicate its strategic goal is a big part of the story. How, then, should the Army improve its communications plan in order to assure full support for FCS? The SRP attempts to answer this question by projecting FCS beyond its performance as an acquisition program and accounting for current sources of resistance to the program. An effective strategic communications plan must counter this resistance in order to effectively support the current plan for Army modernization.

A Look at the Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) Program -- An Interview with MG Charles A. Cartwright

A Look at the Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) Program -- An Interview with MG Charles A. Cartwright PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 13

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Book Description
The Future Combat Systems (FCS) Brigade Combat Team (BCT) program is the cornerstone of the Army's modernization effort. The FCS(BCT) consists of a family of manned and unmanned systems, connected by a common network, that provides Soldiers and leaders with leading-edge technologies and capabilities they can use to dominate in asymmetric and conventional warfare and complex environments. MG Charles A. Cartwright, FCS(BCT) Program Manager (PM), recently took the time to provide an FCS(BCT) program update by responding to interview questions posed by Army AL&T Magazine staff.