By Ann Roosevelt
The Army today is expected to detail its decision to revamp its $160 billion major modernization program Future Combat Systems (FCS) to focus first on Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) rather than Heavy BCTs and compressing the test schedule to support immediate needs in the current operational environment, sources said.
The Army also will ask to reprogram funds to accomplish the realignment.
FCS Lead System Integrator (LSI) Boeing [BA] and SAIC [SAI] said in a statement provided to Defense Daily, “At this time, we are awaiting specific guidance from the Army on how this would be accomplished. Until then it would be inappropriate to speculate on changes to the program status.”
The LSI said that with its industry partners “it has successfully met all program milestones to date and will continue to remain focused on meeting soldier needs–both now and into the future.”
The original FCS Spin Out 1 schedule remains the same–fielding in 2011. The difference is that the Infantry BCTs will receive the equipment first, before the Heavy BCTs, reversing the order in the current program.
The Army decision was based primarily on needs statements from theater, capability assessments conducted on infantry brigade combat teams, and guidance from civilian and professional leadership to ensure the right soldiers are getting advanced FCS equipment as quickly as possible, an Army source familiar with the program told Defense Daily.
Additionally, senior Defense Department and Army leadership have been working details on how to accelerate mature FCS technologies for current force use.
Infantry BCTs “bear the brunt of the asymmetric war fight,” a source said. The Spin Out 1 capabilities will greatly improve the IBCTs ability to conduct offensive, defensive and stability operations in the types of environment they are engaged in today.
Those operations were delineated in the Army’s new operations manual: FM 3.0 Operations released earlier this year (Defense Daily, Feb. 29).
Spin Out 1 capability will go to some 43 Infantry BCTs in the 2011-2025 time frame. It is yet to be determined the order in which units will receive the equipment. Fielding will likely be based on the Army Force Generation Model beginning in 2011.
Heavy BCTs will still receive the Spin Out 1 capability that they need, just not as fast since the IBCTs can apply them in today’s war fight. The Army has moved the fielding of the A and B kits for the Heavy BCTs further out in time.
Otherwise, Spin Out 1 equipment remains the same: the Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radios (JTRS GMR), the Integrated Computer System and Battle Command software.
Spin Out 1 capability also includes Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors (T-UGS and U-UGS), developed by Textron [TXT] and the Non-Line of Sight Launch System (NLOS LS), developed by Netfires LLC, a Lockheed Martin [LMT]-Raytheon [RTN] joint venture.
Two accelerated programs are also part of the package: the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV), developed by iRobot [IRBT] and the Honeywell [HON] Class 1 Unmanned Air Vehicle. The Army accelerated the two systems in January based on current technology readiness levels and positive feedback from soldiers who are using early versions of the systems in Iraq and Afghanistan. The original schedules called for formal system testing to begin in 2011 (Defense Daily, Jan. 18).
Changes will impact industry. For example, for iRobot, accelerating SUGV is bringing a seachange, officials said. “This is very important for the military and for unmanned systems and iRobot because the small UGV represents entr�e into the infantry market and a transition from EOD into the main stream infantry,” Helen Greiner, iRobot cofounder and chairman of the board, said in an unrelated teleconference yesterday. Production will move from hundreds to thousands.
Joe Dyer, president, iRobot Government & Industrial Robots, said if the government’s production requirements ramp up, “we’re confident we’ll be able to meet the military’s needs.”
The Army also has compressed the testing schedule to accommodate the changes. At Ft. Bliss, Texas, the Army Evaluation Task Force will conduct a preliminary limited user test in June-July. Results from this test will support doctrine, organization, training and materiel development efforts.
But the test will not become the basis of the acquisition milestone decision. That decision will be the limited user test that will shift to an IBCT focus that will occur in 2009.
Allowing the infantry user to complete the testing moves it closer to the Milestone C production review and Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.
A separate source said the compressed schedule could mean a faster pace for the FCS LSI, particularly in procuring long lead items.
The 5th Brigade 1st Armor Division (AETF) will continue as-is, an HBCT and not change to an IBCT. AETF soldiers are using the new equipment in ways similar to what the infantry would do, a source said.
The Army will now have to ask to reprogram funds potentially in Fiscal 2008 and FY ’09 to shape these changes–the switch to infantry focus and compressed test schedule.
Another source close to the program said the service would need to look at future spending plans. The LSI is expected to be in place at least through Low Rate Initial Production.