Army Technology

Future Combat Systems (FCS) & Vehicle Technology

Officially starting in 2003, the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is a US$160 billion Army modernization program that promises to move the Army away from the division-centric structure of the past making it more deployable with faster response times. Co-managed by Boeing and Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) and involving more than 550 defense contractors and subcontractors throughout the USA, the FCS program focuses on defense systems and weapons technology in the following core areas:

Individual Soldiers - Envisions the use of nanotechnology, artificial powered exoskeletons, and magnetorheological fluid (“smart fluid”) based body armor to create fully networked and integrated infantry combat systems. However, initial development focus will be on defense technologies that will reduce an infantry soldier's fighting load and power requirements.

Communications Network - Includes the creation of a completely interconnected and layered system of computers and software, radios, and sensors into a so-called Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Network. The BCT Network will include 5 layers (a Sensor/Platform Layer, Application Layer, Services Layer, Transport Layer, and a Standards Layer) that will connect various FCS platforms to every command level and integrate communications with other military branches and allies.

Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs) - Including the XM1204 Non-Line-of-Sight Mortar (NLOS-M),  XM1203 Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C), XM1202 Mounted Combat System (MCS), XM1207 and XM1208 Medical Vehicles (MVs), XM1205 Recovery and Maintenance Vehicle (FRMV), XM1201 Reconnaissance and Surveillance Vehicle (RSV), XM1206 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), and the XM1209 Command and Control Vehicle (C2V).

Unmanned Ground Vehicles (MGVs) - Including the XM1217 Transport Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) Vehicle (MULE-T), XM1218 Countermine MULE Vehicle (MULE-CM), XM1219 Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assualt-Light (ARV-A-L), and the AND XM1216 Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV).

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) - Including the XM156 Class I UAV and the XM157 Class IV UAV.

Unattended Ground Sensors - Includes the AN/GSR-9 (V) 1 AN/GSR-10 (V) 1 Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS).

Non Line of Sight-Launch System (NLOS-LS) - Includes the XM501 Non Line of Sight - Launch System (NLOS-LS).

With initial production starting in 2013, the first fully equipped FCS brigade is set for deployment in 2015 with full production beginning in 2017 to fully equip 15 brigades by 2030. 

However, to pay for increased FCS technology funding, the army has reduced funding for its Abrams, Stryker, and Bradley vehicle technology programs - leaving them with limited funds for research, development, testing, and evaluation. Then in the middle of 2008, the Army shifted the initial focus of the FCS program away from armored brigades with heavy vehicles to focus on the operational and survivability needs of infantry foot soldiers. These changes have lead to members of the Top House Armed Services Committee (HASC) to express concern that the Army is investing to much in the FCS program at the expense of manned ground vehicle technology programs without knowing the likelihood of the FCS program being able to deliver manned ground vehicle technology on schedule.

Nevertheless, there are currently 75 FCS related tests occurring while planned program Spin Outs will deliver FCS equipment and technology to the battlefield as it becomes available. In fact, FCS has already delivered new defense technologies (such battlefield sensors) into the hands of soldiers and hence, the program has largely moved from just a concept towards reality.

Battery Technology

Currently, the average American soldier carries a pack with nearly 100 pounds of gear and equipment with nearly 20 pounds of this consisting of a three-day supply of batteries needed to power their gear. Hence, much of the initial focus of the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program emphasizes technologies that will reduce this fighting load and power requirements. Moreover, with a variety of sensors forming the foundation of the information network to enable fully equipped FCS brigades to function, battery and fuel cell technology advances will be vital.

For example, the FCS information network will rely heavily on two battery powered Unattended Ground Sensors (UGS) - a tactical sensor (said to be roughly a foot in length and a few inches in diameter) and an urban sensor (said to be roughly the size of a cigarette pack) that can be carried by individual soldiers. Although current battery operating time for both sensors is classified, tactical sensors are said to have batteries that are capable of lasting for weeks while urban sensors are said to have batteries that can last for days. However, sensors are also being developed that are capable of handling multiple battery packs that can be chained together and buried - giving sensors much longer lives but not a solution towards reducing a soldiers’ fighting load.

Hence, the Army’s venture capital arm (OnPoint Technologies) has focused much of its budget towards investments in companies that are developing new and longer lasting power sources. These include investment in A123 Systems (the developers of advanced Lithium-Ion based cells for rechargeable battery packs), Atraverda (the developers of advanced bi-polar battery electrodes for rechargeable batteries), IFCT (the developers of next generation fuel cell systems for portable devices), PowerGenix (the developers of next-generation rechargeable batteries), Power Precise (the specializing in battery management devices), Ultra Cell (the developers of integrated fuel cell systems), Zinc Matrix Power (the developers of high-performance rechargeable alkaline battery technology for commercial and military markets), Akermin (the developers of portable fuel cells based on its proprietary “Stabilized Enzyme Biofuel Cell” SEBC™ technology); and Superprotonic (the developers of solid acid fuel cell or “SAFC” technology).

In addition, the Very High Efficiency Solar Cell (VHESC) program of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks to develop affordable portable solar cell battery chargers with a solar cell efficiency of 50% from sunlight at standard weather conditions. DARPA has already begun the next phase of the program by creating the DuPont-University of Delaware VHESC Consortium to transition lab work into a prototype model with the goal of production by 2010.

Such investments by OnPoint and DARPA will not only produce new power technologies to address the battlefield needs of individual foot soldiers, but will likely produce new products that will also meet the needs of commercial markets (and more than pay for the cost of development). Hence, there is a good possibility that at some point in the future, the next big breakthrough in alternative energy will come as a result of dual-use technologies initially invested in and developed for the Army - a win-win scenario for both the military and the private sector.

by John Udovich for Defense Ventures