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Future Combat Systems

FCS Components and Capabilities

The FCS program will utilize advanced communications and technologies to link soldiers with manned and unmanned ground and air platforms as well as sensors to create a fully integrated "future force" by the year 2014. The program includes the following elements:

  1. 1. The FCS network (with embedded training and logistics tools)
    • A system-of-systems common operating environment (SOSCOE): it supports multiple mission-critical applications by using a nonproprietary, standards-based architecture and common commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) computing hardware adapted for military applications.
    • Battle command (BC) software: this includes mission planning and preparation, situation understanding, mission execution, and warfighter-machine interface (WMI) applications.
    • Tactical and Strategic Communications: these provide secure, reliable access to information sources over extended distances and complex terrain.
    • Intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) sensors: these are a distributed, networked array of multispectral sensors that provide a "see first" capability that is rapidly shared across the FCS network.
  2. 2. Unattended ground sensors (UGS): these include tactical and urban ground sensors.
  3. 3. Non-line-of-sight launch system (NLOS-LS): a family of missiles and a highly deployable, platform-independent container launch unit.
  4. 4. Intelligent munitions system (IMS): is an unattended munitions system
  5. 5. Class I unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV): provides the dismounted soldier with reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA).
  6. 6. Class II UAV: this vehicle-mounted system has twice the endurance and a wider range of capabilities than the Class I UAV.
  7. 7. Class III UAV: a multifunction system with the range and endurance to support battalion-level RSTAs within the unit of action (UA) battle space, and also provides communications relay, mine detection, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) detection and meteorological survey
  8. 8. Class IV UAV: has a range and endurance appropriate for the brigade mission, with communications relay, long endurance persistent stare and wide area surveillance capability
  9. 9. Armed robotic vehicle (ARV): has an assault variant and an RSTA variant, both of which share a common chassis.
  10. 10. Small unmanned ground vehicle (SUGV): a small, lightweight, man-portable UGV that can conduct military operations in urban terrain tunnels, sewers, and caves.
  11. 11. Multifunctional utility/logistics and equipment (MULE) vehicle: a 2.5-ton unmanned ground vehicle that supports dismounted operations and includes a chassis, autonomous navigation system, operator control unit, and three mission-equipment packages.
  12. 12. Mounted combat system (MCS): provides direct and beyond-line-of-sight offensive firepower.
  13. 13. Infantry carrier vehicle (ICV): can move, shoot, communicate, detect threats, and protect crew members and critical components in most land-surface environments.
  14. 14. Non-line-of-sight cannon (NLOS-C): provides networked, extended-range targeting, and precision attack of point and area targets -- supporting the UA with a munitions suite.
  15. 15. Non-line-of-sight mortar (NLOS-M): fires in close support of tactical maneuvers that include destructive firing and special-purpose firing.
  16. 16. Reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle (RSV): has a suite of advanced sensors to detect, locate, track, classify, and automatically identify targets from increased standoff ranges under all climatic conditions, day or night.
  17. 17. Command and control vehicle (C2V): a manned ground vehicle at the hub of battlefield command and control -- providing information management of the integrated network of communication and sensor capability within the UA.
  18. 18. Medical vehicle treatment (MV-T) and evacuation (MV-E): These two mission modules provide critically injured soldiers with advanced trauma life support within an hour.
  19. 19. FCS recovery and maintenance vehicle (FRMV): provides repair and maintenance services within the UA and within the unit of employment (UE).
  20. 20. The soldier: this encompasses the soldier and everything the soldier wears, carries, and consumes -- embodying the concept of the "soldier as a system" (SaaS).

Implementation Phases

The FCS program has three phases:

Program Team

The FCS will improve the strategic deployability and operational maneuver capability of ground combat formations without sacrificing lethality or survivability. The Boeing Company is partnered with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the program, with support from a vast network of "One Team" subcontractors and suppliers.

For more information, read the Future Combat Systems (PDF) overview.

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