File:Improving the future of the Army's future combat systems program (IA improvingfutureo1094510445).pdf

The Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is the U.S. Army's ambitious attempt to modernize its forces in a systematic way, so that everything interoperates properly. This \"system of systems\" approach contrasts with the \"stove-pipe\" solutions of the past in which individual systems were designed to meet specific requirements, but with much less thought about how they would interact in the overall force. The \"stove-pipe\" approach has worked well enough in the past because the self-contained requirements were more important than how well a platform could interact with other platforms. But as we move further in the digital age where information superiority and speed of action are such key enablers of the force, it has become increasingly critical to tie the entire force together. The Army has gambled that the best way to do this is to design the future force holistically, fielding a sum that is greater than its parts. However, the enormity of the task was not originally apparent to its designers. This fact is becoming increasingly clear to Congress as the Army has been forced to increase funding requests and extend timelines several times. In reaction, Congress is considering a number of actions including the cancellation of the program. This paper examines the status of the FCS program and provides several recommendations on how the FCS program office could reduce risk while still bringing critical new technology to the U.S. Army in a timely manner.

Subjects: Armies; Future Combat System; System of Systems; Army; Lead System Integrator; Government Accounting Office; Congressional Budget Office; Program Risks and Constraints; Analysis of Alternatives