Defense Acquisitions: Resolving Development Risks in the Army's Networked Communications Capabilities Is Key to Fielding Future Force
Abstract
The Army has embarked on a major transformation of its force. Central to this transformation is the Future Combat Systems (FCS), a $108 billion effort to provide warfighters with the vehicles, weapons, and communications needed to identify and respond to threats with speed, precision, and lethality. Establishing reliable, robust communications and networking capabilities is key to FCSs success. Each of the systems integral to the FCS communications network- the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS), the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T), and the System of Systems Common Operating Environment (SOSCOE)- rely on significant advances in current technologies and must be fully integrated to realize FCS. Given the complexity and costs of this undertaking, GAO was asked to review each of these key development efforts to identify any risks that may jeopardize the successful fielding of FCS. GAO is making recommendations aimed at reducing development risks so that FCS is provided with enabling communications and networking capabilities. If FCS proceeds without these capabilities, critical aspects of the FCS network will remain undemonstrated. In commenting on this report, the Department of Defense indicated it has begun taking actions to address our recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- AD1174869
Entities
People
- Candice Wright
- Hai Tran
- Karen Sloan
- Paul L. Francis
- Paul Williams
- Ridge Bowman
- Subrata Ghoshroy
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office