SubscribeFuture Combat Systems from General Dynamics Land Systems
Program name:
Future Combat Systems (FCS)
Program Description:
FCS is a key element in transforming the Army to a future force. This future force will be strategically responsive and capable of defeating threats throughout the entire spectrum of operations, from major theaters of war to small-scale conflicts to support, sustainment and relief contingencies .
To be strategically responsive, this force must have systems that are transportable via multiple modes including the C130, and enable rapid operational maneuver and assured dominance across the entire spectrum of operations.
FCS contains Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs), Unmanned Ground and Aerial Vehicles (UGVs and UAVs) Unattended Sensors and Munitions with a Command and Control System and Network that joins the system elements into a Network Centric System of Systems.
In addition to these elements, there are many complementary programs that are required to support the 21st century Solider in this Future Force.
The program entered the Concept and Technology Development (CTD) Phase in March 2002. A team of Boeing and SAIC was chosen to be the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) in partnership with DARPA and the Army.
The LSI solicited industry participation through a series of Broad Industry Announcements (BIAs), including Manned and Unmanned Ground Vehicles efforts, with a period of performance from June 2002 to September 2002.
In July 2002, the terminated Crusader Program was reprogrammed as the NLOS-C CTD program, the lead element in the Manned Ground Vehicle segment of the FCS System of Systems.
GDLS entered into a subcontract with United Defense Limited Partnership – Armaments Systems Division (UDLP-ASD) in August 2002 to develop an alternative NLOS-C concept in parallel with UDLP, with a down-select to a best technical approach planned for December 2002. GDLS also teamed with UDLP on the Systems Engineering Integration Team (SEIT) and FCS common systems development.
In January 2003, Boeing, GDLS and UDLP, (now BAE Systems – North America) entered into a formal teaming agreement for the Manned Ground Vehicles (MGV) elements of the FCS Program.
This teaming agreement, which spans the CTD and System Development and Demonstration (SDD) efforts , established a 50-50 arrangement between BAE and GDLS for the eight manned systems and 13 common element areas. The agreement further delineates responsibilities for MGV C4ISR hardware and software, which is led by the LSI but shared with the two MGV contractors.
Based on this agreement and new direction for the MGV effort, the NLOS-C CTD contract was restructured to place more emphasis on developing the common elements of the MGV systems using a balanced consideration of the eight variant requirements. The program was also extended 9 months to May 2004 and major milestone events were replanned.
In May 2003, the FCS Program successfully passed its Milestone B Decision Review and entered into SDD. In December 2003, GDLS was awarded a $2B SDD subcontract by Boeing for the design and development of three of the eight MGV variant systems as well as the lead of the common systems design and integration.
General Dynamics Robotics Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of GDLS, was selected to develop and provide the Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) for use on both the manned and unmanned ground vehicles.
The ANS utilizes sensors, computers and a real-time software system to develop a "world map" of the local area. The system then develops an appropriate path to navigate the terrain to complete its defined mission.
In response to current force demands for near term force effectiveness and survivability improvements, the FCS program was restructured in late 2004. This restructure added a requirement for early Non-Line of Sight - Cannon (NLOS-C) prototypes, and reinstated several previously deferred systems, one of which was MGVs FCS Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle (FRMV). It also provided for considerable focus to be placed on component maturation and system reliability investment. GDLS was awarded this major contract modification in April 2005.
During the expanded SDD phase (CY 2003-2012) the MGV Team will demonstrate FCS Increment I capability in support of the System of Systems (SoS) Concept of Operations. GDLS and BAE SYSTEMS will develop and deliver 6 early (NLOS-C increment 0) prototypes, and 29 pre-production prototypes that will be used in the SoS integration and pre-production testing.
Early prototypes (referred to as “Increment 0”) will be delivered starting Mid 2007, and pre-production prototypes will begin delivery in Mid- 2010, with initial operational capability (IOC) in 2014 and full operational capability (FOC) in 2016.
Customer(s):
- FCS SDD Contract: Boeing/SAIC (FCS Lead Systems Integrator)
Contract value (as of 3/10/05):
- FCS SDD MGV Contract: $2.2B
- FCS SDD ANS Contract: $235.7M
Deliverables:
- SDD Phase: Documentation, 35 Prototypes (16 GDLS + 19 BAE), Subsystem/MGV and SoS Test Support (including spares).
Key dates:
- SDD AwardDecember 2003
- MGV System Requirements ReviewJune 2004
- MGV System Functional ReviewMarch 2006
- Milestone B UpdateMay 2005
- MGV Preliminary Design ReviewMarch 2007
- MGV Critical Design ReviewJune 2009
- Initial Production Decision (IPD#1)September 2008
- Initial Production Decision (IPD#2)September 2010
- Initial Production Decision (IPD#3)September 2012
- Initial Operational CapabilityDecember 2014
- Full Operational CapabilityDecember 2016
Prime contractor:
- System Development and Demonstration (SDD): Boeing and SAIC – Lead Systems Integrator
Team members:
- Boeing/SAIC
- BAE SYSTEMS
- U. S. Army
Challenges:
The technical challenge will be to identify, develop and mature technologies to give the future force the required performance capabilities at significantly reduced weight and inproved reliability and supportability utilizing a network centric approach.
At the core of these technologies will be the ability to develop better situational awareness and command and control through a more robust communications architecture.
The program challenge will be to continue the “One Team” approach to executing the MGV and UGV scopes of work with the major players on the integrated design team (MGV Contractor (GDLS/BAE SYSTEMS) – LSI (Boeing/SAIC)– Government (PM-FCS/PM-Lethality).
Another challenge is integrating the efforts of the other One Team Partners (OTP) responsible for developing C4ISR, Supportability and Training elements of the System of Systems. Schedules are aggressive, budgets are tight, and each organization brings unique process, tools and approaches to the program.
Awards:
SDD Contract Award:December 2003
SDD Replan/Transition ModificationApril 2005