Defense Acquisitions: Future Combat Systems Challenges and Prospects for Success
Abstract
In its unprecedented complexity, the Future Combat Systems (FCS) confronts the Army with significant technical and managerial challenges in its requirements, development, finance, and management. Technical challenges include the need for FCS vehicles to be smaller, lighter, and as lethal and survivable as current vehicles, which requires a network to collect and deliver vast amounts of intelligence and communications information, and individual systems that are as complex as fighter aircraft. FCS is the core of Army efforts to create a lighter, more agile and capable force: a $108 billion investment -- enough to equip about one-third of the force, with annual funding requests running from $3 billion to $9 billion per year -- to provide a new generation of 18 manned and unmanned ground vehicles, air vehicles, sensors, and munitions linked by an information network. The program's pace and complexity also pose significant management challenges. The Army is using a Lead System Integrator to manage FCS and is using a contracting instrument -- Other Transaction Agreement -- that allows for more flexible negotiation of roles, responsibilities, and rights with the integrator. FCS is at significant risk for not delivering required capability within budgeted resources. Currently, about 9 years is allowed from development start to production decision. DoD typically needs this period of time to develop a single advanced system, yet FCS is far greater in scope. The program's level of knowledge is far below that suggested by best practices or DoD policy. Although systems development and demonstration began in May 2003, the program was restructured in July 2004, including processes to make FCS capabilities available to current forces. GAO has been asked to assess the following: (1) FCS technical and managerial challenges, (2) prospects for delivering FCS within cost and scheduled objectives, and (3) options for proceeding.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 16, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA469304
Entities
People
- Paul L. Francis
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office