tem. A commercial two-year warranty is provided. THT provides tri-band satellite commu- nications capable of supporting a variety of worldwide missions and is interopera- Warfighter Infor- ble with all tri-band satellite terminals and mation Network- teleport earth terminals. Setup/teardown Tactical (WIN-T) time is 30 minutes. The USARPAC Tri-Band Satellite Ter- minal (U-TST) is a Humvee (M1113) prime mover-mounted satellite terminal hub, capable of supporting C-, X- and Ku- cal (WIN-T) is the Army’s communica- GCS is a command partner in the TACOM band frequencies. The U-TST is capable of tions system for reliable, secure and seam- Life Cycle Management Command. using the LHGXA tracking antenna and less video, data, imagery and voice ser- PEO GCS Project Management Offices tows a tactical quiet generator (TQG), and vices that enables decisive combat actions. include Heavy Brigade Combat Team, supports GMF as well as C4ISR communi- It is focused on moving information in a Joint Lightweight , Mine Resis- cations when operating with the single manner that supports commanders, staffs, tant Ambush Protected Vehicles, Modular shelter switch base-band suite of equip- functional units and capabilities-based for- Brigade Enhancements, Brigade ment. mations. It is optimized for and Combat Team and Robotics Systems Joint The Mobile Deployable Ku-Band Earth joint operations so that the theater combat- Project Office. Terminal (DKET) is a commercial off-the- ant commander will have the capability to As an example, the Project Manager for shelf nondevelopmental item Ku-band perform multiple missions simultaneously the Heavy Brigade Combat Team (PM prime mover-mounted satellite communi- with campaign quality. HBCT) serves as the life-cycle manager for cations terminal capable of supporting a the major combat vehicles in the Army’s variety of worldwide missions. The DKET GROUND COMBAT SYSTEMS heavy forces, including the Abrams, M88, operates with INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, Bradley, M113, M109 and Knight family of PANAMSAT and DOMSAT. The Program Executive Office–Ground vehicles. Combined, these fleets total DKETs provide high-bandwidth inter/ Combat System (PEO GCS) serves as the 32,682 platforms in various stages of their intratheater links over commercial satel- “System of Systems Integrator” of the life cycles under PM HBCT’s management lites, appropriate for camp, base or station ground combat systems for the armed purview, and total program funding where heavy use of voice, data and video forces and leads Army transformation ef- through fiscal year 2013 of approximately services is required. forts toward future systems while main- $36.8 billion. PM HBCT’s responsibilities Warfighter Information Network-Tacti- taining a current combat-ready force. PEO include the design, development, produc-

October 2009 I ARMY 349 M1A1 Abrams

tion, fielding and sustainment (reset, recap and upgrade) of safe, reliable and lethal ground combat systems. Product Manager Abrams manages ap- proximately 8,325 platforms within the Abrams family of vehicles, including M1A1, M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP , M88A1/A2 recovery vehicles and M104 Wolverine assault bridge.

M1A1, M1A1 AIM and M1A2 SEP Tanks The M1 Series Abrams Tank provides the Army with mobile, protected fire- power and will remain the cornerstone of the Army’s counterattack and containment forces as the Army transforms to the Fu- and for other roles that require shock effect Army’s first digitized, direct-fire combat ture Force. The Abrams tank provides sol- and mobile direct firepower to support vehicle. diers with the lethality, survivability and Army mission requirements. The M1A2 has a digital command-and- staying power to successfully close with Two major programs maintain and recapi- control system that provides situational and destroy enemy forces on the inte- talize the Abrams fleet: the M1A2 systems en- awareness updates to all the other tanks in grated battlefield. The 120 mm main hancement program (SEP) and the M1A1 a unit. Vetronics architecture ties all elec- on the M1A1 and M1A2, combined with Abrams integrated management (AIM) pro- tronic components in the tank together the powerful 1,500-hp turbine engine and gram. and provides increased survivability and special armor, make the Abrams tank par- The M1A2 program provides the Abrams supportability. The commander’s indepen- ticularly suitable for attacking or defend- with the necessary improvements in lethal- dent thermal viewer gives it a hunter-killer ing against large concentrations of heavy ity, survivability and fighting ability re- capacity. The M1A2 also has improved on- armor forces on a highly lethal battlefield quired to defeat advanced threats. It is the board diagnostics that allow the tank to 2010 ARMY Magazine Photo Contest Sponsored by the Association of the U.S. Army The Association of the U.S. Army is pleased to announce its fifteenth annual ARMY Magazine photo contest. Amateur and professional photographers are invited to enter. The winning photographs will be published in ARMY Magazine, and the photographers will be awarded cash prizes. First prize is $500; second prize is $300; third prize is $200. Those who are awarded an honorable mention will each receive $100. Entry Rules: 1. Each photograph must have a U.S. Army-related subject and must have been taken on or after July 1, 2009. 2. Entries must not have been published elsewhere. Evidence of prior publication of any entry will disqualify it. 3. Each contestant is limited to three entries. 4. Entries may be 300 dpi digital photos, black-and-white prints, color prints or color slides. Photographs must not be tinted or altered. (Send digital photos to [email protected].) 5. The minimum size for prints is 5x7 inches; the maximum is 8x10 inches (no mats or frames). 6. The smallest format for slides is 35mm, and slides must be in plastic or paper mounts. 7. A sheet of paper must be taped to the back of each entry with the following information: the photographer’s name, Social Security number (for identification and tax purposes), address and telephone number, and caption information. 8. Entries must be mailed to: Editor in Chief, ARMY Magazine, 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3385, ATTN: Photo Contest. 9. Entries must be postmarked not later than June 30, 2010. Letters notifying the winners will be mailed in September. 10. Entries will not be returned. 11. Employees of AUSA and their family members are not eligible. 12. Prize-winning photographs may be published in ARMY Magazine and other AUSA publications three times. 13. Photographic quality and subject matter will be the primary considerations in judging. For further information, contact Jeremy Dow ([email protected]), ARMY Magazine, 2425 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201; (703) 841-4300, ext. 204.

350 ARMY I October 2009 troubleshoot itself without any additional covery operations of towing, winching The system is in full-rate production and special tools or equipment. and lifting. The Hercules uses the M88A1 deployment. Fielding began in July 1997, Further M1A2 improvements, through chassis modified to significantly improve and it achieved first unit equipped in July the SEP, are under way. The M1A2 SEP is towing, winching, lifting and braking char- 1997. the backbone of the Army’s first digitized acteristics. The M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault division and the counterattack corps of the It is the primary recovery support for Bridge (HAB) is an M1A2 Abrams SEP Army’s current force. It is the only the 70-ton tank, the Wolverine variant and is operated by a two-man crew. system that can withstand the impact of and other heavy combat vehicles. The 26-meter bridge can span gaps of up to high-energy warheads and remain lethal The M88A2 includes a 1,050-hp engine; 24 meters to support heavy maneuver oper- in high-mobility and sustained operations. a 35-ton boom; overlay armor; a 140,000- ations at 16 kph. It has integrated combat command and pound, single-line, constant-pull main The bridge is computer-controlled and control (IC3), which incorporates Force XXI winch; and a 3-ton auxiliary winch for de- automatically compensates for minor devi- Battle Command Brigade and Below ploying the main winch cable. When com- ations in launch-site elevation and terrain (FBCB2) to provide command and control pared to the M88A1, these upgrades im- rack and cant. The crew can launch the and situational awareness. prove towing power by 25 percent, lifting bridge under armor in five minutes and re- Its sights use the latest thermal-imaging capability by 40 percent and winching abil- trieve it in less than 10 minutes. system (second-generation forward-look- ity by 55 percent. The M104 Wolverine enables decisive ing infrared, or FLIR) for increased lethal- ity and survivability. The M1A2 SEP tank takes advantage of computer/electronic industry advances by including improved electronics developed since the introduc- tion of the M1A2. The SEP package includes a new com- puterized mass-memory unit and color maps and displays. A thermal manage- ment system increases electronic reliability and decreases crew fatigue. Production deliveries of the M1A2 SEP tank began in September 1999. These vehi- cles were used extensively during OIF. The Army must sustain the readiness and reduce the operations and support costs of approximately 4,300 older M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks in its active and reserve component units. The Abrams Integrated Management Program (AIM) is the recapitalization pro- gram for the M1A1 tank. Under AIM, M1A1 tanks are completely disassembled at Anniston Army Depot, Ala. The depot re- furbishes many of the tank’s components. The assemblies are then shipped to the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Ohio, where General Dynamics Land Systems reassembles the tanks to a zero time/zero miles standard. The AIM program has fielded tanks to units at , Texas, and in . Annual production now stands at 135 tanks per year and will continue until 2012. In addition, AIM serves as the venue to apply modifications and upgrades to the tank, including embedded diagnostics. AIM also serves as a means to combat elec- tronic obsolescence by introducing im- proved line-replaceable units for those that face technical obsolescence. The AIM process also incorporates redesigned hull and turret network boxes. The M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recov- ery Combat Utility Lift and Evacuation System (Hercules) is a full-tracked, heavy armored vehicle developed to accomplish safe, effective and independent battlefield recovery operations. It implements swift and effective com- bat evacuations through the battlefield re-

October 2009 I ARMY 351 maneuver by allowing units to span target acquisition system that in- tank ditches, road craters and par- M113 cludes a full ballistic fire-control tially damaged bridge sections up to package with hunter-killer function- 24 meters wide at combat speeds. ality via a commander’s indepen- dent viewer (CIV). Optical improve- Product Manager Bradley ments also include two second-gen- Product Manager Bradley man- eration FLIRs and day television ages approximately 6,452 M2/3A2, cameras, which can be displayed to M2/3A2 ODS and M2/3A3 Bradleys the members in the back of and approximately 13,943 M113 se- the vehicle via the rear-mounted ries platforms. squad leader’s display. This feature The Bradley M2A3 /M3A3 significantly improves the real-time Fighting Vehicle (IFV/CFV) situational awareness for the entire facilitates enhanced command-and- dismounted or mounted crew. control capabilities, provides mobile pro- The M2A3/M3A3 provides overwatching The A3 integrated combat command- tected transport of an infantry squad to criti- fires to support dismounted infantry and to and-control (IC3) package incorporates the cal points on the battlefield and performs suppress and defeat enemy tanks, recon- Army’s digital command-and-control suite cavalry scout and other essential (Bradley- naissance vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles of automated messages, overlays and equipped fire-support and Stinger teams) (IFVs), armored personnel carriers, bunkers, friend-or-foe graphics that meet the Army’s missions in the 21st century. Upgrades in dismounted infantry and attack helicopters. objectives for a fully digitized force. This this program include advanced technology The infantry version (M2) of the A3 Bradley same digital command-and-control capabil- in the areas of command and control, lethal- fighting vehicle is used most often to close ity was incorporated into the A2 Operation ity, survivability, mobility and sustainability, with the enemy by means of fire and ma- Desert Storm (ODS), including a squad required to defeat current and future threat neuver. The primary tasks performed by the leader’s display for messages and graphics. forces while remaining operationally com- cavalry version (M3) as part of a troop The A3 variants reflect the latest itera- patible with the . and/or squadron are reconnaissance, secu- tions of a fighting vehicle family that in- The M2/M3 vehicle armament includes rity and flank guard missions. cludes the Bradley M2/M3A0, A1, A2, A2 the 25 mm M242 Bushmaster , the The A3 is the consummate digitized ODS, IFV/cavalry fighting vehicle (CFV), TOW II missile system and a 7.62 mm platform, with a core electronics architec- Bradley fire-support team (BFIST) vehicle M240C . ture on a 1553 data bus and an improved and M2A2 ODS engineer vehicle. Addi- tional Bradley variants, based on the asso- ciated tracked M270 multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) chassis, range from command-and-control systems to armored medical treatment vehicles. The M4 Command and Control Vehicle (C2V) program emerged from lessons learned during Operation Desert Storm. Based on the Bradley family’s MLRS chas- sis, the M4 C2V is a self-contained platform with onboard support subsystems capable of providing adequate power for mission equipment and NBC protection and envi- ronmental control. Platform components include a primary power unit that can provide 21,000 watts of AC and 4,600 watts of DC power, an an- tenna compartment that supports a 10- meter nesting mast, a 579-cubic-foot crew/ mission equipment compartment, a bio- chem system (100/200 cubic foot per minute with 1.5 inches of water overpres- sure) and an environmental cooling unit (40,000 BTU-per-hour cooling). A March 1994 engineering and manufac- turing development contract was followed by three low-rate initial production awards that covered a total of 25 vehicles. The fi- nal vehicles covered under that contract were delivered in June 2001. Although the M4 C2V program was ter- minated in December 1999 to provide funding for the Army’s new Stryker ar- mored vehicle acquisition, the Army pulled the systems out of storage and is- sued most of them for combat use during ‘Be generous, General. Think of it as a defense budget.’ Operation Iraqi Freedom. The M113 Family of Vehicles (FOV) pro-

352 ARMY I October 2009 vides a highly mobile, survivable and reli- able tracked-vehicle platform that, with up- grades, is able to keep pace with Abrams- and Bradley-equipped units and is adapt- able to a wide range of current and future battlefield tasks through the integration of specialized mission modules. Although not Paladin/FAASV presently in new production, the 14,795 M113 FOV systems now in Army vehicle inventories constitute a significant percent- age of present and future heavy division assets. Recent activities within the M113 FOV fo- cused on upgrading several models of the vehicles to meet or exceed the mobility char- acteristics of the supported maneuver force. The most recent upgrade to see wide field- ing is the A3 reliability improvement for se- lected equipment (RISE). RISE provides var- ious derivatives within the FOV with major performance improvements in mobility, reli- ability and survivability through installation BAE Systems of a 275-hp 6V53T engine with an X-200-4A transmission. Coupled with reconfiguration of the dri- Product Manager Fire Support Platforms Paladin/FAASV: The M109A6 Paladin ver’s station and several other vehicle sub- Product Manager Fire Support Platforms self-propelled Howitzer provides systems, these improvements provide bat- manages approximately 2,582 platforms, the primary support to modu- tlefield mobility commensurate with the including the M109A6 Paladin/M992A2 lar HBCTs and armored cavalry regiments. supported Abrams/Bradley maneuver FAASV System, the Paladin/FAASV Inte- Like the earlier M109 models, the M109A6 force. Moreover, the increased perfor- grated Management (PIM) program, the Paladin is a fully tracked, armored vehicle. mance provided by this and other upgrade M707/M1200 Knight family of vehicles, The enhanced Paladin configuration is packages permits a range of enhanced sur- and the M7/A3 Bradley Fire Support Team achieved through extensive modifications vivability options. (BFIST) vehicles. to existing M109A2/A3 vehicle hulls and

October 2009 I ARMY 353 the subsequent introduction of an entirely sustainability and commonality across the new turret structure. The Paladin includes HBCT. PIM also incorporates select tech- an onboard Paladin Digital Fire-Control nologies from the NLOS-C, including an FREE TO System (PDFCS) that provides ballistic automated (modified electric) projectile computation, weapon control, a vehicle lo- rammer and modern electric-gun drive cation/navigation system, secure radio systems to replace the current hydrauli- communications systems, an improved cally operated elevation and azimuth dri- AUSA M284 cannon and M182A1 gun mount, au- ves that were designed in the early 1960s. tomotive improvements, improved ballis- The M109 FOV platforms will be fitted tic and nuclear-biological-chemical protec- with Blue Force Tracker capability to en- tion, driver’s night-vision capability, and sure compatibility with future architec- MEMBERS built-in test equipment. Additional chassis tures. These upgrades and better commu- upgrades include a remotely actuated nication technology will significantly travel lock (for quicker replacement and improve operational awareness on the bat- displacement), longer torsion bars (to help tlefield and reduce the logistics footprint support the new turret) and a low-heat re- within the HBCT. The new electric-gun jection engine with an improved cooling drives and rammer components as well as system. Described as the first digitized a microclimate air conditioning system combat vehicle in the Army’s inventory, will be powered by the Common Modular the Paladin has improved responsiveness, Power System (CMPS). CMPS, which will survivability, lethality and reliability com- also be installed on Stryker and has been pared to the earlier M109s. installed on High-Mobility, Multipurpose A parallel U.S. Army recapitalization ef- Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee) demonstrator fort was seen in the M992A2 Field vehicles, is based on architecture jointly Ammunition Supply Vehicle (FAASV). The developed by the Army Tank-Automotive basic M992A0 FAASV emerged from an in- Research Development and Engineering dustry research and development project Center and the Program Executive Office- designed to provide self-propelled field ar- Ground Combat Systems. Once delivered tillery units with a ballistically protected to the field, the PIM M109 FOVs will give vehicle capable of performing critical re- HBCT commanders upgraded capabilities supply and support functions. The FAASV including more maneuverability, higher system was type classified and entered rate of speed, increased crew survivability production in 1983. It was based on an and delivery of accurate and timely fires chassis that provided the where and when needed. In addition, the resupply asset with mobility and surviv- upgraded Paladins and FAASVs will be ability characteristics commensurate with more sustainable, providing commanders Receive AUSA’s the supported cannon element. The system increased confidence in their artillery fleet. is paired on a one-for-one basis with the M707 Knight/M1200 Armored Knight: Legislative Newsletter Army’s M109A6 Paladin self-propelled The M707 Knight was developed and howitzer. fielded during the late 1990s. Based on the Paladin Integrated Management (PIM): M1025A2 Humvee chassis, the M707 fea- electronically each The PIM program is a sustainment pro- tures a mission equipment package fully gram engineered to improve readiness, adapted to support the U.S. Army Field Ar- week. avoid components’ obsolescence and in- tillery Combat Observation Lasing Team crease sustainability of the M109A6 Pal- (COLT) mission with G/VLLD and AN- Stay current on adins and the M992A2 FAASVs platforms TAS-4 sensors. In 2003, the M707 was en- out to the year 2050. The upgrades will al- hanced with a fire-support sensor system low the PIM to fire Excalibur (XM982) (FS3) second-generation FLIR based on the legislative activity that rounds and fuzes such as the precision LRAS3. guidance kit. Operationally, the PIM will Fielded to both Infantry and heavy bri- affects you. be faster and more maneuverable, sustain- gade combat teams (BCTs), Knights consist able and lethal. PIM will leverage fleet of a laser designator and rangefinder, ther- commonality for key components includ- mal imager, digital command-and-control ing the Bradley engine, transmission, final system, blended inertial/global positioning drives, suspension and the FCS NLOS-C system navigation and targeting capability, E-mail AUSA at Rammer. PIM will ensure the Paladin fire and a self-defense weapon. COLTs use the support platform continues to meet the Knight precision targeting systems, along [email protected] needs of the Army’s HBCT maneuver with the forward observer system (FOS) commander by improving fires support re- software, to provide precise far-target loca- sponse and increasing the mobility of the tion and laser designation for conventional using the subject line fires support platform. The PIM uses the ordnance, laser-guided munitions and pre- existing M109A6 main armament, recently cision-guided projectiles such as Excalibur. “Newsletter” to begin designed cab structure, Chief of Section First fielded in 2008, PM Fire Support Protection, and belly plate and side armor Platforms developed the M1200 Armored improvements, increasing crew survivabil- Knight to provide improved survivability your free subscription. ity while replacing outmoded chassis com- for the COLTs. Integrating the M707 mis- ponents with advanced components from sion equipment package (MEP) onto the the to increase more survivable M1117 armored security

354 ARMY I October 2009 M1200 Armored Knight

terface. The TSCP functions are controlled through a series of menus. The TSCP con- trols the 1553B data bus. The MPU sends processed information back to the TSCP and SCU for display and routing over the single-channel ground and the airborne ra- dio system to external fire-support ele- ments. The first unit equipped (FUE) with the M7 BFIST was the 3rd Infantry Division in FY 2000. The second model BFIST is the A3BFIST. The A3BFIST incorporates the FIST MEP with a digitized M3A3 chassis. Features in- corporated from the M3A3 chassis include: the commanders’ independent viewer with 360-degree traverse and the im- proved Bradley acquisition system (IBAS), vehicle chassis, the M1200 Armored Knight sume common repair parts as the maneu- both second-generation FLIRs, to improve adds 360-degree continuous cupola rota- ver force they support. Target designation target acquisition and target engagement; tion, CREW II, high frequency radio capa- for all available laser-guided munitions is the 25 mm gun; 7.62 coaxial machine gun; bility, and M2HB .50-caliber capability. To required, including those delivered by PLGR; and digital command-and-control date, 107 M1200 Armored Knights have mortars and airborne platforms. Dismount enhancements. The first unit equipped for been fielded to support operations in operations are required under some condi- the M3A3 BFIST was the 4th Infantry Divi- and Afghanistan. In addition, 38 systems tions. Extensive and real-time communica- sion. are scheduled to be fielded to IBCTs and tions with other members of the force and An effort is under way to incorporate HBCTs through the remainder of fiscal rear-area command posts is required for the fire support sensor system (FS3) onto year (FY) 2009, and 138 more Armored mission success. Interoperability in the the A3 digitized BFIST. In addition to the Knights will be fielded via new production net-centric array of other systems de- improved features of the M3A3, the A3 or reset in FY 2010. mands full compatibility with the newest BFIST with FS3 will allow the fire support Product improvements are currently un- C4ISR equipment and procedures. team to detect, identify and designate tar- der way to incorporate targeting under ar- The M7 BFIST is one of the two models gets for precision munitions at greater mor/on the move onto the M1200 Armored that replaces all the M981s (FISTVs) in the ranges while remaining “buttoned up”— Knight. The program will accomplish this active force at the company FIST opera- protected by the vehicle’s armor. The new by incorporating a common remotely oper- tional facility. The M7BFIST integrates both ranges will meet Office of Research and ated system II (CROWS II) and a existing and improved FIST mission equip- Development requirements and will also remote stabilized sensor system (CRS3) onto ment packages onto an M3A2 Operation allow for laser-guided smart munitions, the Armored Knight. This capability will Desert Storm (ODS) chassis. Some of the laser-guided bombs, and missiles for ro- put the soldier under armor for operations, mission equipment, such as the G/VLLD, tary and fixed wing aircraft. The first unit with no degradation in capability. Addi- will be taken directly from displaced scheduled to be equipped with the M3A3 tional efforts are under way to add a fourth FISTVs and stowed. Features incorporated BFIST is the 2nd Brigade, 1st Artillery Di- crewmember and upgrade the MEP and from the M3A2 ODS chassis include the 25 vision, in FY 2011. software to a more open architecture. The mm gun, 7.62 coaxial machine gun, preci- program is currently funded for 103 up- sion lightweight global positioning system PM Joint Lightweight Howitzer graded Knights and will begin fielding in (GPS) receiver (PLGR) and the Bradley The Project Manager for the Joint Light- FY 2012. eyesafe laser rangefinder. The current M7 weight Howitzer takes a joint (Army and M7/A3 Bradley Fire Support Team BFIST uses the integrated unit, which Marine Corps) perspective in managing (BFIST): The BFIST program is executing is also used as the gun sight for self-de- the development, acquisition, testing, sys- to the Army campaign plan and will com- fense. The M7BFIST uses the standalone tems integration, product improvement plete modularization of the force in FY computer unit (SCU), the ruggedized and fielding of the M777A2 155 mm joint 2013 with 20 heavy brigades of A3 BFISTs handheld computer and the forward ob- Lightweight Howitzer system, designed to and 11 heavy brigades of M7 BFISTs. server system with full interoperability enhance strategic mobility and provide the BFIST vehicles are required to conduct with AFTADS fire-support networks. The Infantry soldier and marine with effective various mission scenarios including recon- inertial navigation system (INS) provides and responsive fire support. Their task is to naissance and surveillance, reporting of navigational capability based on a blended provide a world-class, supportable how- enemy activity in the area of operations, inertial/GPS solution. The mission proces- itzer system to artillery cannoneers, per- reporting of hazards and obstacles to sor unit (MPU) calculates target grid loca- mitting them to accomplish their missions. movement, and the coordination of indi- tion by processing information received The M777A2 155 mm Joint Lightweight rect fire support. Both versions have from the INS, and mission information Howitzer (LW155) is a joint Marine Corps equivalent mobility, survivability, signa- from the the targeting station control panel and Army program to replace the M198 ture and night-vision capability and con- (TSCP) serves as the primary operator in- 155 mm towed howitzer. The LW155 is a

October 2009 I ARMY 355 M777A2 howitzer

general support system for the Army’s light units and direct-support cannon fire- support system for the Stryker brigade combat team. It is designed to be the sole howitzer in the Marine Corps. Its primary performance parameters are a howitzer weight of less than 10,000 pounds, emplacement time of two to three minutes and a displacement time of one to two minutes. The LW155 uses the M776 155 mm can- non, giving it a maximum firing range of approximately 30 kilometers with rocket- assisted projectiles and 24.7 kilometers with standard rounds. It has a maximum firing rate of four rounds per minute and a sustained rate of two rounds per minute. Army Modularity requirements had in- the M119A2 105 mm Light Towed How- The M777A1 is fitted with onboard elec- creased the M119A2 authorized acquisition itzer. The application of a digital fire con- tronics, giving it self-locating, self-laying objective to 893 systems. A decision to reen- trol will allow the digitized M119A2 to and digital communications similar to the ter production was made by the general of- emplace and displace faster, provide more M109A6 Paladin. The M777A1 was uncon- ficer steering committee. In 2005, the Pro- responsive fires and allow the system to ditionally approved for use by Army units gram Executive Officer for Ground Combat become more survivable on the battlefield. in January 2007. Systems, through the commanding general, To provide even greater range and The new M777A2 adds the ability to fire U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Arma- lethality for light-unit fire-support ele- the Excalibur precision-guided munition. ments Command (TACOM) Life Cycle ments, the Army began fielding the M198 The M777A2 was approved for use in Sep- Management Command, endorsed the 155 mm Towed Howitzer in early 1979. As tember 2007. make-or-buy recommendation to produce a successor to the older M114A1 155 mm In addition to the M777 series howitzer, the M119A2 towed howitzer at Rock Island towed system, the 15,750-pound (original other towed artillery systems being sup- . The analysis was conducted under fielded weight) M198 provided a maxi- ported in U.S. Army inventories include the authority of 10 USC 4532 and in accor- mum range of 30 kilometers (with rocket- the M119A2 105 mm howitzer as well as dance with the Army Industrial Base assisted projectiles) and the capability to the M198 155 mm howitzer. Process, Army Regulation 700-90 dated 14 fire a broader range of ammunition op- The M119A2 is a lightweight 105 mm December 2004. would continue tions than those available for 105 mm howitzer that provides continuous close to be produced at Watervliet Arsenal, N.Y., units. fires to the Infantry brigade combat teams and basic issue items for the system are be- Normally towed by a 5-ton truck, the (IBCTs). The system weighs 4,270 pounds ing purchased out of the government sup- M198 can also be moved by a CH-47D Chi- and is air assault/airdrop capable. It has a ply system. Production at Rock Island and nook helicopter or Air Force assets, C-130 range of 19.5 kilometers with rocket as- Watervliet commenced with the and larger. sisted munitions (14 kilometers unas- receipt of the FY 2005 Defense Supplemen- sisted). It fires all currently fielded U.S. tal funding. The last weapon order will be Project Manager Mine Resistant munitions and has a rate of fire of six in FY 2010, and the last deliveries will be Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles rounds per minute. Each M119A2 section taken in FY 2012. A full materiel release of The Project Manager for Mine Resis- has seven crewmembers. The M119A2 is these new production was ap- tant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles fielded as two eight-gun batteries for each proved by the commanding general, U.S. program will rapidly field highly surviv- M119A2 battalion. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management able, mobile, multimission vehicles to the The M119 was originally acquired in Command, in June 2008. joint force to meet urgent operational re- 1986 as a nondevelopmental item from A program to integrate a digital fire-con- quirements. Royal Ordnance Plc. The original 147 how- trol capability onto the M119A2 howitzer MRAP vehicles are commercial off-the- itzers were manufactured in the United (becoming the M119A3 howitzer) was ap- shelf vehicles designed from the ground Kingdom and the balance produced at proved by the Program Executive Officer up to reduce casualties and increase sur- Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. The current fleet for Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS) vivability for personnel subjected to mine of M119A2s in the inventory from the first and the commanding general of the Field explosions, improvised explosive device production run is 382 systems. U.S. fire Artillery School Center of Excellence in detonations and small-arms fire. Multiple control and a low-temperature-capable re- January 2008. Direction was provided to missions will be supported by the MRAP cuperator were implemented as the maximize commonality across the IBCTs fleet, including recon, convoy operations, M119A1 in 1991. The light artillery system to the maximum extent possible, thus min- troop transport, ambulance, combat engi- improvement program resulted in the imizing the IBCT logistics footprint. Lever- neer and explosive ordnance disposal mis- M119A2, which possessed a number of im- aging the software for the M777A2 155 sions for maneuver units. The Pentagon provements to enhance the ease of opera- mm howitzer maximizes commonality in has approved the expansion of the MRAP tion and maintenance of the weapon sys- operation and training while minimizing program to more than 20,000 vehicles, tem. Approved prime movers include the program cost, schedule and risk. The re- with the U.S. Army increasing its fleet of Humvee and 2.5-ton and 5-ton trucks. quirement for this capability is the ma- MRAP vehicles from the planned 2,300 to In 2004, it was determined that U.S. teriel change package for digitization of 17,700.

356 ARMY I October 2009 Mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles

M1134 antitank guided missile vehicle, the M1132 engineer squad vehicle, the M1133 medical evacuation vehicle and the XM1135 nuclear-biological-chemical reconnaissance vehicle. The SBCT will also be furnished with the mobile gun system. The MGS, now under development, will be based on the ICV but modified to incorporate a 105 mm turreted gun, an autoloader system and a crew of three. The ICV is armed with a remote weapons station that supports the M2 .50-caliber ma- chine gun or the Mk 19 automatic , the M6 countermeasure device (smoke grenade launcher) and an inte- grated thermal weapon sight. The Stryker In 2005, Project Manager for Modular family of vehicles, the “vanguard for Army supports communications suites that inte- Brigade Enhancements (PM MBE) was transformation.” grate the single-channel ground-and-air established and chartered to be the central- The Army’s responsibility to satisfy radio system radio family (SINCGARS); ized manager for enhancements to the 21st-century requirements for effective full enhanced position location reporting sys- modular brigade combat teams (MBCT). spectrum operations requires an improved tem (EPLRS); Force XXI Battle Command Specific PM MBE responsibilities are to capability for the rapid deployment of Brigade and Below (FBCB2); global posi- manage the post-Milestone C program and highly integrated, combined arms forces tioning system (GPS); and high-frequency lead the effort to field the Army modern- possessing overmatching capabilities, ex- and near-term data radio systems. The ization technologies into selected MBCTs ploiting the power of information and hu- Stryker provides up to 14.5 mm of ballistic in a consistent and synchronized manner. man potential, and combining the advan- protection. The Project Manager for Stryker Brigade tages of both light and mechanized forces General Dynamics Land Systems pro- Combat Team (PM SBCT) develops, pro- across the full range of and non- duces the Stryker, which is powered by a duces and sustains the full range of safe, military operations. 350-hp diesel engine, runs on eight reliable, supportable and effective Stryker The Stryker was the first new combat ve- that possess a run-flat capability and has a vehicle systems, a diverse fleet of medium- hicle to be acquired by the Army for more central tire inflation system. It also incorpo- weight vehicles capable of being rapidly than 20 years. The primary design has two rates a vehicle height management system. deployed to trouble spots around the world. variants: the M1126 infantry carrier vehicle These vehicles leverage existing military (ICV) and the XM1128 mobile gun system Robotic Systems Joint Project Office “state of the art” technologies in order to (MGS). The ICV is a troop transport vehicle Finally, the PEO GCS Robotic Systems provide world-class equipment to the sol- capable of carrying nine infantry soldiers joint Project Office takes a joint (Army and dier in record time. and their equipment and requires a crew of Marine Corps) perspective in managing Stryker Family of Vehicles. “We must two, a driver and a vehicle commander. the development, acquisition, testing, sys- provide early entry forces that can operate There are eight other ICV configurations tems integration, product improvement jointly without access to fixed forward with combat service and combat support and fielding of robotic systems that will bases, but we still need the power to slug it roles. Those configurations include the form the backbone of the force of the fu- out and win decisively.” This was the chal- M1130 commander’s vehicle, the M1127 re- ture. We are spearheading development of lenge in 1999 given by then-Army Chief of connaissance vehicle, the M1131 fire-sup- the first-generation system employing the Staff GEN Eric K. Shinseki. The response port vehicle, the M1129 carrier/ latest sensor, remote navigation, and com- was brigade combat teams and the Stryker XM1129A1 mounted mortar carrier, the mand-and-control technologies to integrate

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October 2009 I ARMY 357 up production capability, which spawned a number of tier suppliers and upstart ro- botic companies. Competition increased, and innovative, quality products ensued. This dynamic six-year period has created a configuration management and interoper- ability challenge for the RS JPO. Although close to 6,000 systems have been fielded since 2003, the warfighter still needs a ven- dor-specific operator-control unit to inter- face with any given robot. A key tenet of RS JPO’s strategic vision is the develop- ment, application and certification of a set of interface specifications and open archi- tecture standards that will enable interop- Multifunctional, erability, payload integration and product agile, remote- improvement. RS JPO, serving as the sys- controlled robot IV tem integrator of all payloads on any ro- botic platform, is responsible for managing space, weight and power trades. The defin- ition of a systronic payload interface (one that defines the mechanical, electrical, com- munication and systematic interfaces) al- lows the PM to prescribe a configuration management process. This will drive the PM to a family of robotic platforms with a common set of payload, communication and command-and-control interface stan- dards. The benefits of this discipline are plug-and-play mission payloads, common controllers and true modularity of systems. As the attention of U.S. military forces has shifted from Iraq to Afghanistan, the RS robotics into the battlefield. Speeding these needs has created a number of opportuni- JPO anticipates additional requirements technologies to the battlefield has the po- ties as well as challenges for the RS JPO and new applications for ground robots. tential to revolutionize combat operations. and its partners. Operational needs from Fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom The Robotic Systems Joint Project Office theater have defined mission requirements (OEF) is significantly different from that in (RS JPO) serves as the life-cycle manager for ground robots from explosive ordnance Iraq. Unlike in Iraq, the transportation, for all current and future Army and Marine disposal to area and route clearance and re- communication and utility infrastructures Corps unmanned ground systems. The fol- connaissance and surveillance. This has re- are rugged mountain trails and mud huts. lowing are priorities of the RS JPO mission: sulted in the proliferation of ground robots In Afghanistan, smaller, lighter robots with support the joint warfighter, modernize on the battlefield. Initially, EOD units and increased agility and mobility will be current unmanned systems, facilitate the route-clearance teams adopted ground ro- needed by infantry units and maneuver ele- transformation to the Future Force, apply bots to interrogate and neutralize impro- ments hiking the high-altitude trails. Cer- continuous process improvement, conduct vised explosive devices or unexploded tainly, more EOD and route-clearance ro- sound systems-engineering practices and ordnance. Warfighters have since identified bots will be needed with the build-up of develop the workforce. A healthy partner- mission applications for robots to inspect force. Hazardous material and explosives ship with industry, academia, government vehicles; search caves, rubble and tunnels; detection sensors, high-resolution cameras, research centers and the user community extend reach and provide enhanced situa- dextrous manipulators and other payloads has enabled the RS JPO to develop, ac- tional awareness. The U.S. industrial base will be required to enhance warfighter ca- quire, field and sustain robotic systems, ex- has grown to meet the demand for un- pability in OEF. The RS JPO is poised to ceeding warfighter expectations. manned systems. This growth is evident meet the emerging ground robotic require- Its mission is to lead the development, across all sectors of the market, including ments for OEF. Modernization and stan- systems engineering, integration, acquisi- basic and applied research at academic in- dardization of veteran assets from Iraq will tion, testing, fielding, sustainment and im- stitutions and government laboratories, occur during a process called reset. Reset provement of unmanned systems for the prototyping and commercialization by and new procurements will facilitate the joint warfighter to ensure safe, effective and small businesses, and manufacturing, pro- transformation to the Future Force. Regard- supportable capabilities are provided while duction and sustainment operations by tra- less of how robots are integrated into the meeting cost, schedule and performance. ditional defense contractors, automotive heavy, Infantry or Army modernization Its vision is continuous improvement of suppliers, new companies and government brigade combat teams, interoperability and unmanned system capabilities to meet cur- organizations. modular payloads are two sure things. An- rent and future joint warfighter objectives. In the haste to field robots in Iraq in other certainty is that this capability can be Support to the joint warfighter in over- 2003, commercial off-the-shelf equipment delivered to the warfighter only through seas contingency operations has greatly ac- was procured and fielded to get systems in collaboration between the RS JPO and its celerated acquisition and fielding time- the hands of soldiers and marines as partners. The RS JPO is committed to build- lines. Delivering safe, effective unmanned quickly as possible. Initially, demand for ing strategic and tactical relationships to systems with a variety of mission payloads robots outpaced the supply capability of support the joint warfighter in the life-cycle in response to joint urgent operational industry. Industry responded by cranking management of unmanned systems.

358 ARMY I October 2009