Relevance of the FCS Program to our Future Operating Environment

Abstract

The Army's Future Combat System Brigade Combat Team (FCS BCT) program was launched as the Army's number one modernization effort and represented a significant revolution in military affairs. The FCS concept was to design a lighter, more agile force while incorporating the latest technology to build a fully networked organization that could be employed and communicate in any joint environment. The FCS BCT incorporated the latest joint requirements and through enablers could operate and communicate across the full spectrum of conflict in any joint operating environment. This would enable the Army to meet future military challenges and new emerging threats in support of the National Security Strategy and the National Military Strategy. In June 2009 a major portion of the FCS BCT program was terminated and replaced with the development of capability packages for fielding to existing brigade combat teams. This monograph will examine the termination of the program and conclude whether this course of action was the best strategic decision for the Army. The examination will analyze the rising capabilities of China's military as a potential adversary in a future traditional confrontation as a basis for the conclusion.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA518425

Entities

People

  • David O. Whitaker

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Combat Vehicles
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Ground Vehicles
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • Military Strategy
  • Military Training
  • National Security
  • Strategic Communications
  • Students
  • Training
  • United States
  • Vehicles
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Software Engineering