FCS vehicle cuts would produce limited near-term savings

Defense Department officials are considering eliminating all but one of the eight Future Combat Systems manned ground vehicles, reports DOD Buzz. The sole surviving vehicle likely would be the Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon (NLOS-C). The information came from a Capitol Hill source, the online journal said.

The cuts envisioned, however, would save only $500 million in 2010. The FCS network and software comprise most of the R&D money, the Hill source said.

The source said the Army probably would continue with Spin Out One from FCS in the next budget. That includes network integration kits for Abrams, Bradleys and Humvees, of which computers and Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile Radios are a large part. Also on the list are the Tactical and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors and the NLOS.

FCS was established to serve as the foundation of the Army’s modernization program for the years ahead. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to field brigade combat teams that have the best equipment and advanced communications and intelligence technologies to prevail in future ground conflicts. FCS comprises manned and unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles and unattended ground sensors.