Defense Acquisitions The Army S Future Combat Systems Features Risks And Alternatives

To become a more responsive and dominant combat force, the U.S. Army is changing its strategy from bigger and stronger weapons to faster and more agile ones. The Future Combat Systems (FCS) -- which the Army calls the ¿greatest technology and integration challenge ever undertaken¿ -- is expected to meet the Army¿s transformational objectives. For FCS¿ first developmental increment, the Army has set aside a 5-1/2-year timetable from program start (May 2003) until the initial production decision (Nov. 2008). This testimony is about FCS¿ key features, whether the program carries any risks, and, if so, whether there are alternatives for developing FCS capabilities with fewer risks. Illustrations.

The Future Combat System (FCS) program is the centerpiece of the Army's effort to transition to a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force. The law requires the DoD to hold a milestone review of the FCS program, now planned for 2009. This report addresses: (1) what knowledge will likely be available in key areas for the review; and (2) the challenges that lie ahead following the review. To meet these objectives, the auditor reviewed key documents, performed analysis, attended demonstrations and design reviews, and interviewed DoD officials. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.

The Future Combat System (FCS) program -- which comprises 14 integrated weapon systems and an advanced info. network -- is the centerpiece of the Army¿s effort to transition to a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force. The technical challenges, the Army¿s acquisition strategy, and the cost of the program are among the reasons why the program needs special oversight and review. This testimony is based on reports on FCS and addresses: (1) how the definition, dev¿t., and demo. of FCS capabilities are proceeding, esp. in light of the go/no-go decision scheduled for 2009; (2) the Army¿s plans for making production commitments for FCS and any risks related to the completion of dev¿t.; and (3) the est. costs for developing and producing FCS.

The Future Combat System (FCS) program -- which comprises 14 integrated weapon systems and an advanced information network -- is the centerpiece of the Army¿s effort to transition to a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force. This report includes an examination of: (1) how the definition, development, and demonstration of FCS capabilities are proceeding, particularly in light of the go/no-go decision scheduled for 2009; (2) the Army¿s plans for making production commitments for FCS and any risks related to the completion of development; and (3) the estimated costs for developing and producing FCS. Includes recommendations. Tables and figures.

In today's environment of rapidly evolving conflicts, the Army's goal is to have units that have the combat power of heavy units but that can be transported anywhere in the world in a matter of days. To address concerns about the armored vehicle fleet's aging and the difficulties involved in transporting it as well as to equip the Army more suitably to conduct operations overseas on short notice using forces based in the United States the service created the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program in 2000. A major modernization effort, the program is designed in part to develop and purchase vehicles to replace those now in the heavy forces; the new vehicles would be much lighter, thereby easing the deployment of units equipped with them. In the analysis presented in this report, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) examined the current status of the Army's fleet of armored vehicles and assessed the speed of deployment of the service's heavy forces. It also evaluated the FCS program, considering the program's costs as well as its advantages and disadvantages and comparing it with several alternative plans for modernizing the Army's heavy forces.

The Future Combat System (FCS) program is the centerpiece of the Army's effort to transition to a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force. The law requires the DoD to hold a milestone review of the FCS program, now planned for 2009. This report addresses: (1) what knowledge will likely be available in key areas for the review; and (2) the challenges that lie ahead following the review. To meet these objectives, the auditor reviewed key documents, performed analysis, attended demonstrations and design reviews, and interviewed DoD officials. Illustrations.