For those who don't know what FCS is...

Executive Overview: Jane's Armour and Artillery 2004-2005:

Without doubt, the US Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) is by far the largest and most ambitious programme of its type in the world.

In the past the US Army has tended to replace one weapon system with another. For example the M60 series Main Battle Tank (MBT) was replaced by the General Dynamics Land Systems M1 Abrams MBT armed with a 105 mm gun.

Similarly, the United Defense Ground Systems Division M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was replaced by the United Defense M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).

FCS is a new concept. Boeing is acting as prime contractor, assisted by SAIC. These two companies have no detailed experience in Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) at the platform level but have considerable experience in other areas. FCS is best described as `a system of systems' that links together a wide range of land- and air-based platforms, some of which are unmanned. These will be able to exchange information in real time to make maximum use of all elements of FCS. Attack aircraft, helicopters and even naval craft will also be able to plug into FCS.

Late in 2003 significant contracts were awarded by Boeing for engineering development, testing and demonstration of the Manned Group Vehicle (MGV) platform part of FCS. One of the key requirements is that all platforms have to be fully air-transportable in a Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules aircraft.

General Dynamics Land Systems will be responsible for the Mounted Combat System, Command Vehicle and Reconnaissance Vehicle, with contracts to run through to 2009.

United Defense was also awarded a contract by Boeing for the other members of FCS, including Non-Line-Of-Sight - Cannon (NLOS-C), Non-Line-Of-Sight - Mortar (NLOS-M), infantry carrier vehicle, medical vehicle and maintenance and recovery vehicle. In the short term, the latter role will be met by the current in-service recovery member of the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMET) (8 ¥ 8).

Later in 2004, it is expected that a number of key decisions will be made, such as whether the FCS platform will be tracked or wheeled, and the type of power pack, drive system and weapons that will be fitted.