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Future Combat Systems: Taking the Current Force Into the Future

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Future Combat Systems: Taking the Current Force Into the Future No. 103W AUSA Background Brief June 2005 An Institute of Land Warfare Publication Future Combat Systems: Taking the Current Force into the Future Technologies that are changing the way we fight wars in order to keep the peace, [including] the Army’s Future Combat Systems . will give every Soldier precise tactical information in the heat of battle. President George W. Bush* Background FCS-equipped Unit of Action (UA) Future Combat Systems (FCS) represents the Within a Balanced Force Army’s primary initiative to reduce or eliminate The Future Force will be a mixed force of capability gaps in the Future Force assessed heavy, light, Stryker and FCS. The FCS-equipped against the estimated capabilities of future enemy brigade encompasses more than a new set of threats. The FCS program is the centerpiece of capabilities; this organization reflects a fun- DOTMLPF (doctrine, organization, training, damentally transformed method of combat. The materiel, leader development, personnel and core of the FCS maneuver UA comprises the 18 facilities) solutions for the Future Force. It is tied manned and unmanned platforms centered on the directly to achieving concepts and capabilities to Soldier and integrated by a network. meet the needs of the future Joint Force. The Future Combat Systems-equipped UA is FCS will consist of a family of advanced, not just a unique brigade combat team built networked air- and ground-based maneuver, around a family of systems. Rather, it is the maneuver support and sustainment systems. It cornerstone of future Army Modular Force capa- employs a revolutionary, integrated architecture to bilities, providing the Joint Force with dominant help meet the future Joint and Army commanders’ landpower capability that is decisive in any requirements. These capabilities include networked operation, against any level of threat, in any envi- communications, networked operations, sensors, ronment. The FCS-equipped brigade balances battle command systems, training platforms, and the capabilities for strategic responsiveness and both manned and unmanned reconnaissance and battlespace dominance. surveillance capabilities. These will enable improved situational understanding and operations at a level The FCS-equipped UA can be tailored with of synchronization heretofore unachievable. additional capabilities for specific missions during *Remarks at signing ceremony for the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Appropriations Bill, 5 August 2004 We have a concept of development where we evolve from the Current Force to the Future Force in a continuous, seamless manner and we . start to network the Current Force. Dr. Francis J. Harvey, Secretary of the Army, in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee re the Fiscal Year 2006 Army Budget a campaign. It allows command and control of up team, come into the force in Fiscal Year 2008. to six combined-arms battalions by one command- Following successful evaluation, production and er. It is able to employ a range of supporting fielding of the first increment (spiral 1) to Current capabilities to perform a variety of missions such Force units will commence in 2010. This process as reinforcing fires, engineering operations, military will be repeated for each successive spiral. By police tasks, air and missile defense, psychological 2014, the Army force structure will include one operations and civil affairs. UA equipped with all 18+1 FCS core systems and additional Modular BCTs with selected FCS The FCS-equipped UA is designed to ensure capabilities. (See graphic on page 10.) a campaign-quality Army. Although it has the responsiveness and deployability to achieve rapid Future Capabilities into the Current Force Army deployment goals, it is designed with the durability, endurance and stamina to fight battles The Army’s plan to adjust the FCS program and engagements for the duration of a campaign. is based on the fact that a nation at war must pro- Given its inherent tactical mobility, it can land at vide for its operational forces the best possible points removed from its objectives and out of capabilities. Additionally, the program adjustment reflects that the Army, as a learning institution, has range of enemy defenses, then move by land to heeded the counsel of several independent review complete its mission. This capability applies not panels, including the Welch panels, Government only to entry operations but also to theater Accountability Office (GAO) and Congressional operations throughout the campaign. Budget Office (CBO) studies, and the Institute Spiral Acquisition Strategy for Defense Analyses. FCS remains at the heart of the Army’s strategy to adjudicate risk using the The Army is accelerating Future Combat Current-to-Future-Force construct. Under this Systems by putting FCS technologies into the construct, the future Army Modular Force informs current Army Modular Force. This will reduce development of the current Modular Force. This operational risk by improving the Current Force’s is the centerpiece of the adjustment: pro- survivability, its intelligence, surveillance and viding the Current Force with FCS capabilities reconnaissance and its joint interdependence. As sooner rather than later. emerging FCS capabilities enhance the Current Modular forces solve immediate Army Force, the Current Force’s operational experience shortfalls and urgent force capability gaps. The informs the FCS program, mitigating future Army has used the FCS-equipped UA operational challenges and risk. FCS technologies will migrate and organizational plan as the starting point to into the Current Force through a series of four create a modular, brigade-based Army. Through spirals or “spin-offs.” its Modular Force efforts, the Army is rapidly The first FCS capabilities, consisting of proto- moving its Current Force toward the charac- types fielded to an evaluation brigade combat teristics envisioned for the FCS-equipped UA; 2 this will enable the Army to transition into FCS- offensive firepower in its primary role of equipped units and FCS-enabled methods of providing direct support. MCS is capable operation. Furthermore, the modular design of rapid-rate precision fires to destroy improves the Current Force’s versatility, agility, multiple targets at standoff ranges. information superiority and full-spectrum o Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV): Com- capabilities that are paramount to the FCS- prises four versions—company commander, equipped UA. platoon leader, rifle squad and weapons These two major initiatives are not competing; squad—each with turret-mounted fire rather, they are truly complementary, both striving support weapons. Both the rifle and toward achieving the operational requirements for weapons squad variants will transport landpower. Using primarily organizational change nine Soldiers. to achieve operational needs, modular forces o Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C): enable leader development and feedback for Provides networked, extended-range Future Force developments. The FCS-equipped targeting and precision attack fires on UA will capitalize on the Modular Force initiative point and area targets. The primary role and go further in achieving land force operational of NLOS-C is in support of FCS combat- needs by effecting change through new materiel. arms battalions and subordinate units. It is through this new materiel and Modular Force o Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar (NLOS-M): design that the operational concepts and tactics, Provides close support fires for tactical techniques and procedures (TTPs) envisioned for maneuver. A dismounted 81mm capability the Future Force will become a reality. is retained by the FCS mortar platoons. Organizational and Equipment Overview o Reconnaissance and Surveillance Ve- FCS is a family of systems designed around a hicle (RSV): With its advanced sensor common network with advanced, networked air- suite, will detect, locate, track, classify and and ground-based systems including manned automatically identify targets at long combat vehicles, unmanned air and ground standoff ranges, under all climatic vehicles, unattended sensors and unattended conditions, day or night. RSV equipping munitions—all with embedded and networked includes unattended ground sensors, a battle command that operates as a system of small unmanned ground vehicle with vari- systems, with all platforms capable of tactical ous payloads, and two unmanned aerial airlift. Future Combat Systems is connected via vehicles. an advanced network architecture that will enable o Command and Control Vehicle (C2V): levels of joint connectivity, situational awareness Provides the hub for battlefield com- and understanding, and synchronized operations mand and control by incorporating heretofore unachievable. systems for information management of the integrated FCS network of commu- Core equipment systems. FCS includes 18+1+1 nications. The C2V has data and sensor core systems comprising: capabilities and tools enabling the syn- • Eight manned ground vehicles. FCS has chronizing of information, coordinating of eight manned vehicles designed to perform the action and increasing situational under- tasks required in the maneuver and maneuver standing and the distribution of a common support functions of the UA: operating picture. o Mounted Combat System (MCS): o Medical Vehicle-Treatment (MV-T) and Provides direct and beyond-line-of-sight Medical Vehicle-Evacuation (MV-E): 3 Provide advanced trauma management • Four Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). and advanced trauma life support. There are four classes of
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