BCT Modernization Plan The BCT Modernization Plan is informed by the comprehensive lessons learned from more than eight years of war, focuses on the evolving needs of our warfighters in a rapidly changing security environ- ment, and exploits the knowledge and technologies developed under the program. Instead of mak- ing one modernization decision and then applying it across the Army over two or more decades as was typically done in the past, the BCT Modernization Plan recog- nizes that modernization decisions must be made incrementally to stay ahead of the demands of the security environment and the needs of our warfighters. The Army’s new plan emphasizes the role of battle- tested soldiers in the development of new equipment, provides for the incremental delivery of the network, incorporates mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehi- cles into formations, accelerates the field- ing of capability packages across all BCTs, and initiates a new ground combat vehicle program as an element of a holistic plan for all combat vehicles. The Army’s BCT Modernization Plan is closely linked with the Army force genera- tion model (ARFORGEN), which continu- ously supplies warfighters within both the active and reserve components. ARFOR- GEN-based equipping is the main effort by which the Army manages equipment based on defined equipping goals linked to each phase (reset, train-ready, available) of the ARFORGEN cycle. Equipping resources are ARMY BRIGADE COMBAT allotted to units to meet their mission dur- TEAM MODERNIZATION ing each stage of this cycle. This strategy al- lows the Army to build a versatile mix of The Army brigade combat team (BCT) tailorable and networked organizations, modernization strategy will build a versa- operating on a rotational cycle, to provide a tile mix of mobile, networked BCTs that sustained flow of trained and ready forces will leverage mobility, protection, informa- for full spectrum operations and to hedge tion and precision fires to conduct effective against unexpected contingencies at a sus- operations across the spectrum of conflict. tainable tempo for the all-volunteer force.

380 ARMY I October 2010 Capability packages are a key element fantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored product to the warfighter. Soldier-in-the- of the Army’s BCT modernization strategy, Division, for initial operational test and loop participation in the development re- and they provide the Army a regular evaluation in 2011. Other capabilities in CP duces the risks associated with developing process to strengthen units with the latest 11-12 include: human terrain teams (at bat- new systems and focuses the collective ef- materiel and nonmaterial solutions to talion level), advanced precision mortar fort on providing new capabilities that per- meet the evolving challenges of the operat- rounds and the ground soldier system form as intended from the outset. ing environment. This allows the Army to (GSS). Capability packages are aligned get the capabilities in highest demand to with the Army’s ARFORGEN cycle; they Increment 1, Capability Package 11- the soldiers who need them, when they are adaptive and will be delivered to units 12 (CP 11-12) need them most. Accelerating proven solu- preparing for deployment. The current modernization strategy will tions, these packages will upgrade units A critical practice of the BCT moderniza- deliver CP 11-12 to nine Infantry brigade every few years. These bundles of capabil- tion strategy is the continued use of soldier combat teams (IBCTs) starting in 2011. Re- ities include doctrine, organization and feedback on emerging capabilities. The maining BCTs will receive incremental re- training in conjunction with materiel to fill Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF)—a lease of upgraded capabilities. Army force the highest priority shortfalls and mitigate brigade-size unit created in 2006 at Fort generation (ARFORGEN) will determine if risk for soldiers. The incremental deliver- Bliss—provides immediate feedback dur- and when these IBCTs will be upgraded to ies will build upon one another as the ing the testing and evaluation of new tech- a post-Early IBCT (E-IBCT) configuration Army continually adapts and modernizes. nologies, organization and training initia- based upon warfighting requirements. The Army has solidified contents of the tives. These battle-tested soldiers are not Numerous operational needs state- first capability package (CP 11-12) and is in shy about telling Army combat developers ments (ONS) from theater reflect IBCT re- finalizing stages of the next capability and industry designers what works and quirements for additional robotic capabil- package (CP 13-14). what doesn’t. Constant feedback from sol- ity for air and ground, more responsive Testing and evaluation of materiel solu- diers—operating in units as they would on precision fires at lower levels, and better tions that make up the first capability pack- the battlefield—is vital to ensuring that situational awareness (SA) and situational ages are ongoing at Fort Bliss, Texas, and new systems meet operational needs. understanding (SU) of friendly and enemy other Army test and evaluation locations This process informs the development locations in complex terrain, like urban en- and laboratories. Increment 1 Early In- and integration of enhanced capability vironments. IBCTs are the most often de- fantry brigade combat team equipment packages as well as tactics, techniques, and ployed and most vulnerable formations, and network, a portion of CP 11-12, is in fi- procedures for the current and future force. thereby warranting the increased demand nal evaluation by soldiers of the Army Combat-experienced soldiers at AETF test in lower-level unit intelligence, surveil- Evaluation Task Force at Fort Bliss. Incre- emerging systems to failure and provide lance and reconnaissance (ISR). The Incre- ment 1 has also entered low-rate initial pro- instant feedback to product manufacturers, ment 1 program provides the Army the duction and will be fielded to the 3rd In- which helps drive the delivery of a better opportunity to field high-demand, techno-

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An AUSA Torchbearer Issue October 2009

October 2010 I ARMY 381 logically advanced capabilities to opera- tions with other vehicles and soldiers. cle, a control device and ground support tional forces that address many of the needs Soldiers will be able to communicate equipment, is less than 51 pounds and is discussed above. with the battalion tactical operation center backpackable in two custom modular light- Increment 1 provides enhanced war- (TOC) by sending reports on enemy sight- weight load-carrying equipment (MOLLE)- fighter capabilities in two primary areas. ing, activity and location, utilizing the NIK type carriers. First, it provides enhanced situational via the network, allowing for split-time The air vehicle operates in open, rolling, awareness, force protection, and lethality tactical decisions. complex and urban terrains with a vertical through the use of unattended and attended takeoff and landing capability. It is interop- sensors and munitions. Second, it provides XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground erable with select ground and air platforms a communications network backbone for E- Vehicle (SUGV) and controlled by mounted or dismounted IBCT and battalion command networks. The XM1216 small unmanned ground soldiers. The Class I uses autonomous flight The E-IBCT Increment 1 will consist of vehicle (SUGV) is a lightweight, soldier- and navigation, but it will interact with the the following systems: the urban and tacti- portable unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) network and soldier to dynamically up- cal unattended ground sensors (U/T UGS), capable of conducting military operations date routes and target information. It pro- Class 1 (Block 0) unmanned aerial vehicle in urban terrain, tunnels, sewers and caves. vides dedicated reconnaissance support (UAV) and small unmanned ground vehi- The SUGV aids in the performance of ur- and early warning to the smallest echelons cle (SUGV) Block 1. The Early IBCT systems ban intelligence, surveillance and recon- of the brigade combat team in environments will be fully integrated and networked naissance (ISR) missions, chemical/toxic not suited to larger assets. through a network integration kit (NIK), industrial chemicals (TIC) and toxic indus- The Class I system provides a hover-and- enabling data sharing and command-and- trial materials (TIM) reconnaissance. stare capability that is not currently avail- control (C2) of systems. All E-IBCT systems Working to minimize soldiers’ direct ex- able in the Army UAS inventory for urban are currently under evaluation and testing posure to hazards, the SUGV’s modular and route surveillance. The Class I system by the soldiers of the AETF. design allows multiple payloads to be inte- also fills known gaps that exist in force op- grated in a plug-and-play fashion. Weigh- erations, such as: force protection in coun- The Network ing less than 30 pounds, it is capable of car- terinsurgency (COIN) operations, soldier The Army will continue development rying up to 6 pounds of payload weight. protection in COIN environment, ability to and fielding of an incremental ground tac- The SUGV is part of Early IBCT fielding conduct joint urban operations, enhanced tical network capability to all Army BCTs. and is in current evaluation by the Army ISR/RSTA capabilities and hover-and-stare This network is a layered system of inter- Evaluation Task Force. It will be fielded to operations. connected computers and software, radios all BCTs by 2025, and as additional sensor The Class I Block 0 UAS is part of Early and sensors within the brigade combat capabilities mature, they will be added IBCT fielding and is in current evaluation team. The network is essential to enable during future incremental SUGV fielding. by the Army Evaluation Task Force. It will unified battle command and will be deliv- be fielded to all BCTs by 2025, and as addi- ered to the Army’s BCTs in increasing ca- XM156 Class I Unmanned Aerial tional sensor capabilities mature, they will pability increments. The first increment is System (UAS) be added during future incremental Class I currently finishing SDD developmental The XM156 Class I unmanned aerial UAS fielding. and operational testing and will be deliv- system (UAS) is a platoon-level asset that ered to IBCTs in the form of Network Inte- provides the dismounted soldier with recon- Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) gration Kits (B-kits) with E-IBCT. naissance, surveillance, and target acqui- Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) are The soldier at every echelon from brig- sition (RSTA) and laser designation. Total divided into two major subgroups of sens- ade to squad will be connected to the proper system weight, which includes the air vehi- ing systems: AN/GSR-9 (V) 1 Tactical-UGS sensor data and communication re- (T-UGS), which includes intelligence, lays to ensure proper battlespace situ- surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)- ational awareness. The network is be- UGS and chemical, biological, radio- ing tested and evaluated in a joint logical and nuclear (CBRN)-UGS; and service operating environment to en- AN/GSR-10 (V) 1 Urban-UGS (U- sure the ability to integrate communi- UGS), also known as urban military cations with joint service agencies and operations in urban terrain (MOUT) with our allies. advanced sensor system (UMASS). The UGS are used to perform mis- Network Integration Kit (NIK) sion tasks such as perimeter defense, The NIK is an integrated suite of surveillance, target acquisition and sit- equipment on a Humvee that pro- uational awareness, including chemi- vides the network connectivity and cal, radiological, nuclear and early battle-command software to integrate warning. A UGS field will include mul- and fuse sensor data into the common timode sensors for target detection, lo- operational picture displayed on the cation and classification, and an imag- Future XXI Battle Command Battalion ing capability for target identification. Brigade and Below. The Network Inte- The sensor field also includes a gate- gration Kit consists of an integrated way node to provide sensor fusion and computer system that hosts the battle- a long-haul interoperable communica- command software and the systems- tions capability for transmitting target of-systems common operating envi- or situational awareness information to ronment software, along with the joint a remote operator or the common oper- tactical radio system, ground mobile ating picture through the JTRS network. radio to provide the interface to the ‘The consensus is to invade. We’ll The U-UGS provide a low-cost, net- sensors and unmanned systems, as come up with justification later.’ work-enabled reporting system for well as voice and data communica- SA and force protection in an urban

382 ARMY I October 2010 Unattended ground sensors (UGS)

provides superior mobility built around advanced propulsion and an articulated suspension system. This system gives the ARV-A-L the ability to negotiate the com- plex terrain, obstacles and gaps that a dis- mounted BCT squad will encounter. The ARV-A-L’s unique, highly advanced 6x6 independent articulated suspension, coupled with in-hub motors powering each wheel, provides extreme mobility in com- plex terrain, far exceeding that of vehicles utilizing more conventional suspension systems. It will climb at least a 1-meter step, far exceeding requirements, and provides the vehicle with the mobility performance and surefootedness required to safely fol- low dismounted troops over rough terrain, through rock and debris fields, and over ur- ban rubble. This technology also allows the ARV-A-L to cross 1-meter gaps, traverse side slopes greater than 40 percent, ford water to depths greater than 0.5 meter and setting. U-UGS also enable residual protec- assault-light (ARV-A-L), the small un- overpass obstacles as high as 0.5 meter, tion for cleared areas of urban MOUT envi- manned ground vehicle (SUGV) and urban while compensating for varying payload ronments. They are hand-employed by sol- unattended ground sensors (U-UGS). The weights and center of gravity. diers or robotic vehicles either inside or CC will communicate via the Network in The Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) pro- outside buildings and structures. Spiral 2/3/4, and will perform selected gram is designed to develop the next-gener- U-UGS support BCT operations by training, logistics/maintenance, medical ation infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) for the monitoring urban choke points such as and other soldier functions. Army, making the program a key effort in corridors and stairwells as well as sewers, The Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assault- Army modernization. GCV IFV will have culverts and tunnels. U-UGS gateways Light (ARV-A-L) (XM1219) will feature an greater survivability, infantry-carrying abil- provide the urban situational awareness integrated weapons and reconnaissance, ity and lethality than current force vehicles. data interfaced to JTRS networks. Soldiers surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) The Army was scheduled to enter the tech- involved in the testing of the UGS have package to support the dismounted in- nology development (TD) phase of the GCV provided invaluable feedback, which was fantry’s efforts to locate and destroy enemy program. Technology development is an it- incorporated into new versions (form fac- platforms and positions. The ARV-A-L will erative process to develop a balanced de- tors) that are now in final development support both antitank and antipersonnel sign and refine user requirements, and the and fielding. weapons platforms that will be remotely 27-month TD phase will allow integration of Both urban and tactical UGS are part of operated by network-linked soldiers. the appropriate set of requirements into a Early IBCT fielding and are in current The ARV-A-L vehicle is a 2.5-ton un- full system design and demonstrate critical evaluation by the Army Evaluation Task manned ground vehicle that will support technology elements using test assets. This Force. They will be fielded to all BCTs by dismounted and air assault operations. would mark the beginning of the formal 2025, and as additional sensor capabilities The ARV-A-L is slingloadable under mili- source selection process. As of September 1, mature, they will be added during future tary rotorcraft and features a common the Army anticipated a revised request for incremental BCT fielding. chassis. As the systems’ centerpiece, the proposal by the end of the current calendar common mobility platform (CMP) chassis year. Follow-On Capabilities The Common Controller (CC) serves as a controller for many different BCT un- manned systems. Today the Army does not have a networked central control device for various unmanned platforms and sensors within the BCT. Still in development, this common controller will provide that capa- bility and will be incrementally fielded to Armed robotic the BCTs as it technologically matures. vehicle-assault- The CC consolidates control of numer- light (ARV-A-L) ous systems into one integrated networked controller, reducing the logistics footprint on the battlefield and empowering the sol- dier with enhanced intelligence, surveil- lance and reconnaissance capability. Being networked, it will also simplify training. The CC controls Class I unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the armed robotic vehicle-

October 2010 I ARMY 383