{ "id": "RL32888", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "number": "RL32888", "active": false, "source": "EveryCRSReport.com, University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "versions": [ { "source": "EveryCRSReport.com", "id": 354063, "date": "2009-11-30", "retrieved": "2016-04-07T02:10:07.585356", "title": "Army Future Combat System (FCS) \u201cSpin-Outs\u201d and Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "The Future Combat System (FCS) was a multiyear, multibillion dollar program at the heart of the Army\u2019s transformation efforts. It was to be the Army\u2019s major research, development, and acquisition program, consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems tied together by an extensive communications and information network. FCS was intended to replace current systems such as the M-1 Abrams tank and the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. The FCS program has been characterized by the Army and others as a high-risk venture because of the advanced technologies involved and the challenge of networking all of the FCS subsystems together so that FCS-equipped units could function as intended.\nOn April 6, 2009, Secretary of Defense Gates announced that he intended to significantly restructure the FCS program. The Department of Defense (DOD) would then plan to accelerate the spin out of selected FCS technologies to all brigade combat teams (BCTs). Gates also recommended cancelling the manned ground vehicle (MGV) component of the program, which was intended to field eight separate tracked combat vehicle variants built on a common chassis that would eventually replace combat vehicles such as the M-1 Abrams tank, the M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and the M-109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system. \nIn October 2009, the Army announced a new BCT modernization strategy to implement Gates\u2019s restructuring announcement. Some of the key tenets of this strategy are as follows:\nDeliver capability packages consisting of key FCS technologies and warfighter urgent requirements in two year increments. The Army plans to expand the fielding of these capability packages to all BCTs by 2025.\nGet some FCS spin-outs\u2014capabilities from the FCS program aimed at the current force\u2014to the field in the FY2011-FY2012 capabilities package.\nUpgrade select core Army systems.\nFully integrate Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected (MRAP) Vehicles into formations.\nDevelop a Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV) concept focused on building a versatile platform incorporating combat lessons learned, and field the system by 2017.\nThe Army states that a \u201cnew Ground Combat Vehicle, synchronized with upgrades, reset and divestiture of current vehicles is the most effective and affordable way to improve capability in the mid-term, mitigate risk associated with identified operational shortfalls and provide our Army the agility to adapt and versatility to meet the challenges of an ever-changing operational environment.\u201d\nThe Army\u2019s restructured FCS program and the new plan for modernizing BCTs pose several oversight issues for Congress. Congressional decisions regarding these new plans may significantly affect Army capabilities and funding requirements, and the ground combat portion of the defense industrial base.\n.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORTS", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "HTML", "encoding": "utf-8", "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL32888", "sha1": "29c13e60bad39fe5975df8da19780b0652e6d6e6", "filename": "files/20091130_RL32888_29c13e60bad39fe5975df8da19780b0652e6d6e6.html", "images": null }, { "format": "PDF", "encoding": null, "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL32888", "sha1": "6a2140f05f16693caf7836f3eeea09dc2a159790", "filename": "files/20091130_RL32888_6a2140f05f16693caf7836f3eeea09dc2a159790.pdf", "images": null } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc689299/", "id": "RL32888_2009Aug03", "date": "2009-08-03", "retrieved": "2015-08-03T15:06:47", "title": "The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report describes the Future Combat System (FCS) program, which was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems linked by an extensive communications and information network. 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This report describes the proposed restructuring of the FCS program, announced by Secretary of Defense Gates in April 2009, which includes modernizing outdated equipment and re-evaluating vehicle design strategy. This report will be superseded by a report on the Army's BCT (Brigade Combat Team) Modernization Strategy when sufficient details are available.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090529_RL32888_484093426d52a354d926e82779d06dd291d4e88b.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090529_RL32888_484093426d52a354d926e82779d06dd291d4e88b.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Research and development", "name": "Research and development" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense economics", "name": "Defense economics" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense procurement", "name": "Defense procurement" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military and naval supplies", "name": "Military and naval supplies" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military vehicles", "name": "Military vehicles" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Combat vehicles", "name": "Combat vehicles" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700916/", "id": "RL32888_2009Mar13", "date": "2009-03-13", "retrieved": "2015-08-27T16:20:31", "title": "The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report describes the Future Combat System (FCS) program, which was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems linked by an extensive communications and information network.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20090313_RL32888_a1da991bd97568e49e4e9e88a55425db692cc785.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20090313_RL32888_a1da991bd97568e49e4e9e88a55425db692cc785.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Science policy", "name": "Science policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Research and development", "name": "Research and development" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense economics", "name": "Defense economics" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense procurement", "name": "Defense procurement" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military and naval supplies", "name": "Military and naval supplies" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military vehicles", "name": "Military vehicles" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Combat vehicles", "name": "Combat vehicles" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc810531/", "id": "RL32888_2008Nov28", "date": "2008-11-28", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "The Army\u2019s Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20081128_RL32888_2fdeadfafe0b74add7a4c26948b206d1b318caca.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20081128_RL32888_2fdeadfafe0b74add7a4c26948b206d1b318caca.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc743590/", "id": "RL32888_2008Jul01", "date": "2008-07-01", "retrieved": "2015-10-20T21:35:54", "title": "The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report describes the Future Combat System (FCS) program, which was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems linked by an extensive communications and information network. This report describes the proposed restructuring of the FCS program, which includes modernizing outdated equipment and re-evaluating vehicle design strategy. This report will be superseded by a report on the Army's BCT (Brigade Combat Team) Modernization Strategy when sufficient details are available.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20080701_RL32888_fa7eaa7546e1efcbb9dac93a282574b20a982814.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20080701_RL32888_fa7eaa7546e1efcbb9dac93a282574b20a982814.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Combat vehicles", "name": "Combat vehicles" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense economics", "name": "Defense economics" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense procurement", "name": "Defense procurement" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military and naval supplies", "name": "Military and naval supplies" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military vehicles", "name": "Military vehicles" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Research and development", "name": "Research and development" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc700746/", "id": "RL32888_2008May12", "date": "2008-05-12", "retrieved": "2015-08-27T16:20:31", "title": "The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "This report describes the Future Combat System (FCS) program, which was to be the Army's major research, development, and acquisition program consisting of 14 manned and unmanned systems linked by an extensive communications and information network.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20080512_RL32888_ab550bbc87367e65869736f76cbdfad53938aa81.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20080512_RL32888_ab550bbc87367e65869736f76cbdfad53938aa81.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Combat vehicles", "name": "Combat vehicles" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense economics", "name": "Defense economics" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense procurement", "name": "Defense procurement" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military and naval supplies", "name": "Military and naval supplies" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Military vehicles", "name": "Military vehicles" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Weapons systems", "name": "Weapons systems" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc815072/", "id": "RL32888_2007Oct11", "date": "2007-10-11", "retrieved": "2016-03-19T13:57:26", "title": "The Army\u2019s Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": null, "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20071011_RL32888_26cf7877fcb70d5019a85b4a41d9c353388e2647.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20071011_RL32888_26cf7877fcb70d5019a85b4a41d9c353388e2647.html" } ], "topics": [] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs8986/", "id": "RL32888 2006-05-05", "date": "2006-05-05", "retrieved": "2006-07-03T14:54:15", "title": "The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "The Future Combat System (FCS) is the U.S. Army\u2019s multiyear, multibillion dollar program at the heart of the Army\u2019s transformation efforts. The FCS program exists in a dynamic national security environment which could significantly influence the program\u2019s outcome. The FCS is experiencing a number of program development issues - with some technologies advancing quicker than anticipated, others progressing along predicted lines, while still others not meeting the Army\u2019s expectations. Congress, in its authorization, appropriation, and oversight roles may wish to review the FCS program in terms of its capabilities and program costs.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20060505_RL32888_bd0c5e4691669243ba6aacea43a6ce91c182246e.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20060505_RL32888_bd0c5e4691669243ba6aacea43a6ce91c182246e.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense policy", "name": "Defense policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Future Combat System (FCS)", "name": "Future Combat System (FCS)" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Army - U.S. - Reorganization", "name": "Army - U.S. - Reorganization" } ] }, { "source": "University of North Texas Libraries Government Documents Department", "sourceLink": "https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metacrs7783/", "id": "RL32888 2005-04-28", "date": "2005-04-28", "retrieved": "2005-11-18T09:53:31", "title": "The Army's Future Combat System (FCS): Background and Issues for Congress", "summary": "The Future Combat System (FCS) is the U.S. Army\u2019s multiyear, multibillion dollar program at the heart of the Army\u2019s transformation efforts. The FCS program exists in a dynamic national security environment which could significantly influence the program\u2019s outcome. The FCS is experiencing a number of program development issues - with some technologies advancing quicker than anticipated, others progressing along predicted lines, while still others not meeting the Army\u2019s expectations. Congress, in its authorization, appropriation, and oversight roles may wish to review the FCS program in terms of its capabilities and program costs.", "type": "CRS Report", "typeId": "REPORT", "active": false, "formats": [ { "format": "PDF", "filename": "files/20050428_RL32888_d6ef53e82cae4efaa0ca12bb57ddd55148678957.pdf" }, { "format": "HTML", "filename": "files/20050428_RL32888_d6ef53e82cae4efaa0ca12bb57ddd55148678957.html" } ], "topics": [ { "source": "LIV", "id": "Defense policy", "name": "Defense policy" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Future Combat System (FCS)", "name": "Future Combat System (FCS)" }, { "source": "LIV", "id": "Army - U.S. - Reorganization", "name": "Army - U.S. - Reorganization" } ] } ], "topics": [ "National Defense" ] }