The role of the American soldier has changed dramatically since the initial mobilization of military troops in support of the global war on terrorism and ensuing rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan . Faced with finite resources, longer deployments and significantly different threats, today's soldiers-and their future force counterparts - require the best technological solutions that industry can provide as they strive to defend American interests in a highly volatile world.

Future Combat Systems (FCS), a multibillion-dollar developmental program at the core of U.S. Army transformation, represents a dramatic departure from "business as usual" in terms of defense procurement. Designed with the emerging needs of current and future forces in mind, FCS utilizes a combination of remote sensors, manned and unmanned technologies and a robust network to provide Soldiers with the ability to "move, shoot and communicate" faster and more efficiently across the battle space. Boeing, teamed with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), is the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the program.

Twenty-one months into development and executing to cost and schedule, FCS has been under close review in light of current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan , prompting Army leadership to rethink the path forward as it assesses lessons learned on the battlefield and determines next steps. In a decisive move to put the immediate needs of the soldier first, the Army and Boeing recently signed a modification to the existing agreement to add $6.1 billion in additional funding to what was a $14.8 billion System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the program. The additional funding and implementation strategy has expanded the scope of the FCS program, and accelerates delivery of FCS technologies and capabilities to current forces. It also brings the total funded scope of the program to the point where the FCS network and 18 core FCS systems are in development-including five systems that were previously deferred.

"The valiant servicemen and women who put their lives on the line daily to defend freedom and protect the American people are deserving of the very best that industry has to offer," said Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing vice president-general manager and FCS program manager. "The soldier is central to FCS; the expansion of the program will bring much needed capability to the current force, providing troops with the tools needed to do their tough and dangerous jobs."

The FCS program is thus undergoing a transformation of its own as the Army infuses more money into development activity resulting in the fielding of accelerated capabilities beginning in 2008 and the first full FCS-equipped Unit of Action (UA)-the Army's intended replacement for current force brigade units-in 2014. Early implementation of FCS technologies in the field will allow for the gathering of crucial user feedback and early testing and assessments of such capabilities, which in turn will mean a lower-risk approach and more fully qualified UA in 2014.

The promise that FCS holds for the future, as well as its relevance to the Army's situation today ensures that soldiers are the ultimate beneficiaries of this unprecedented technology and will have what they need to accomplish their missions safely and effectively, now and in years to come.