Army tests FCS parts
The Army conducted an exercise in July to test out parts of the FCS. See an article here. The neat thing about this is not the actual test or exercise but the photo of the soldier holding the control system for one of the remote vehicles used. The controller looks like a PlayStation one. It has been reported that these are the type of controllers being designed as the current generation of troops are familiar with them and can use them rather easily.
Future Combat Systems (FCS) technology acceleration good to Arizona
Filed under: Arizona, Boeing, DARPA, Department of Defense, Restructuring, SBIR, SMDC, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, development program
This article describes the economic effect of the Army decision to begin pushing components of the multi-system Future Combat System (FCS) out-the-door faster. Due to this decision several hundred million dollars are flowing to Arizona companies earlier then originally planned by the Army. The two systems with the most effect are the non-line of sight missile system that uses a box launcher with integrated fire control and several unmanned systems. The Army benefits two ways by this type of decision; first, they get needed technology upgrades into the field earlier; and secondly they get testing under real world conditions.
GD wins new UK armored vehicle contract
Filed under: Contract Awards, England, General Dynamics, development program
As part of the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES), General Dynamics was selected to provide the wheeled utility vehicle. See an article here. The FRES is a long term program to modernize and upgrade the British Army. It is similar in concept to the US Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) in that it is a system-of-systems. The utility vehicle is the first part to be awarded. According to this article the order to GD could be worth up to $12 B, with the next two parts to be awarded also worth this much.
House Authorizers set own priorites
Filed under: Bell, Federal Budget Process, Military Aviation, development program
The House Armed Services Committee marked up the FY09 Defense Authorization Bill to their own priorities. See an article here. Big cuts were made to the Army’s Advanced Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) and Future Combat System (FCS). ARH, a new Bell helicopter to replace the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, has had its struggles. FCS is a vast system of systems that will still get over $2 B of funding with the House cut. Of course the Senate has fully funded both programs so that will have to be worked out in Conference. Some programs did gain such as the C-17 and the House continued the second engine for the F-35 JSF despite Pentagon protests that it is not necessary. There will be many more changes by October.
Army awards iRobot FCS contract
Filed under: Boeing, Contract Awards, U.S. Army, development program, iRobot
Among the many parts of the Future Combat System (FCS) is a variety of ground and air unmanned vehicles. iRobot won a $60 M contract from the Army to provide parts of these systems. See the press release here. FCS will have a variety of vehicles, weapon systems, C4I systems and some unmanned systems to provide reconnaissance and intelligence collection. The Army has had success in Iraq and Afghanistan with small systems providing tactical intelligence to units, so this incorporation in FCS is a continued evolution of that effort.
BAE buys batteries for Future Combat Systems (FCS)
Filed under: BAE Systems, Contract Awards, Saft, U.S. Army, development program
BAE placed an order with Saft to provide lithium-ion batteries. See the press release here. These batteries will be used by BAE in the FCS Manned Ground Vehicle (MGV). FCS is a system of systems that includes various vehicles and sensors. Saft has already provided batteries for the Non-Line of Site Cannon, the first FCS system that will be deployed. The batteries will be used in a hybrid battery power system for the vehicles. It will be interesting to see how this application of technology will work in the future.
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