What is it?
 Future
Combat Systems (FCS) is a joint (across all the military services) networked
(connected via advanced communications) system of systems (one large system
made up of 18 individual systems plus the network, plus the soldier). FCS
is highly agile (allows forces to move quickly) and versatile (allows troops
to conduct a variety of missions). FCS uses advanced communications
and technologies to link soldiers with both manned and unmanned ground
and air platforms (a platform can be anything from a tank on the ground
to an unmanned air vehicle) and sensors (a sensor is a device that collects
data). A soldier, linked to these platforms and sensors, has access to
data that can provide a much more accurate picture of what’s going on around
him. This capability is called situational awareness – knowing where you
are, where your friends are, and where your foes are.
FCS will, over time, supplement the current
fleet of ‘heavy’ vehicles – the Abrams
tanks (about 70 tons each) and Bradley
Fighting Vehicles (about 30 tons each) with a new family of manned
and unmanned ground vehicles and aerial vehicles. The new manned
ground vehicles will be both lighter and smaller than the current fleet.
These lighter, smaller vehicles are designed to fit into a C-130-like
plane,
which allows them to be flown to a conflict anywhere in the world in 96
hours, rolled off and ready to fight.
Why do we need it?
Today, the United
States Army has the world’s best “light” forces. These are forces that
can get to a conflict quickly, usually through fast airlift. The light
forces are generally made up of infantry soldiers; these are forces that
usually use ‘boots on the ground’ to move from place to place, so they
lack mobility (speedy troop transportation) of a force with ground vehicles.
Light forces also lack the firepower and protection that comes with the
“heavy” forces and their Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
Operation Iraqi Freedom has shown the overwhelming
strength of those “heavy” forces. However, it takes a long time to get
those big vehicles to the fight. They must be shipped by land and sea,
because they are too big for easy airlift.
What the Army seeks is a combination of
the strengths of the two types of forces. It seeks to combine the
best of both -- the strength, lethality and survivability of the heavy
forces (and their on-the-ground mobility) with the speed and agility of
the light forces.
FCS starts with the network. It is designed,
from day one, to be Joint (multi service-friendly), Interagency (connects
the military with other government agencies, such as the FBI)
and Multi-national (FCS can talk to/work with the systems of our allies).
This capability is often referred to as “JIM.” Key to the power of the
Future Combat Systems is the fact that it is a networked system of systems
– all designed to maximize the strength of each individual system by linking
it to all of the other systems in the network. |
