| Boeing [NYSE:
BA] and partner Science Applications International Corporation
(SAIC), Lead Systems Integrator for the U.S. Army's Future Combat
Systems (FCS) program, today announced that the US Army has
authorized planning for FCS low-rate initial production, including
long-lead items for the first FCS capability Spin Out and Manned
Ground Vehicle (MGV) early production units which will carry
the Non-Line-of-Sight
Cannon (NLOS-C) planned for fielding in 2010, according
to a Congressional mandate.
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| FCS MGVs,
developed in partnership with BAE Systems and General Dynamics,
will provide the Army with a new family of networked vehicles
with enhanced armor and protection technology, and next-generation
survivability and sustainability features that are required
for successful and decisive future battlefield operations. Based
on a common chassis, FCS MGVs will be more than 70 percent common,
reducing spare parts and logistics costs. The NLOS-C will be
the first of the eight MGV variants to be developed and fielded
as part of the FCS program. It is designed to provide a networked,
extended range precision attack capability against point and
area targets in support of FCS Brigade Combat Teams.
Plans call for 18 NLOS-C initial production platforms to be
delivered between fiscal years 2010 and 2012 at a rate of six
per year, in advance of the Milestone C and low-rate initial
production decisions in 2013.
"The Army's notification to proceed with early production
planning for Spin Outs and Manned Ground Vehicles is evidence
that FCS technologies are maturing according to plan and represents
a crucial step toward meeting program production objectives,"
said Dennis Muilenburg, vice president-general manager, Boeing
Combat Systems, and FCS program manager. "It underscores
the significant accomplishments of the entire FCS One Team which
continues to perform and is well-positioned to deliver these
early life-saving capabilities to our soldiers as quickly as
possible."
The FCS team plans to introduce FCS technologies into the current
force through three "Spin Out" 24 month increments
starting in 2008, when delivers of the first systems are delivered
to the Army Evaluation Task Force (AETF) in Fort Bliss, Texas,
for testing. The first, referred to as "Spin Out 1",
consists of equipment and technologies that will provide enhanced
situational awareness and communication capabilities for the
Current Force through technology insertions to Abrams
battle tanks, Bradley
Fighting Vehicles and HMMWV vehicles. Spin Out 1 elements
include network integration "B" kits consisting of
an Integrated Computer System, System-of-Systems Common Operating
Environment, Battle Command and Network Management software
and communications system including the Joint Tactical Radio
System Ground Mobile Radio. Also included are Tactical
and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors to provide real-time
threat information in complex terrain, and the Non-Line-of-Sight
Launch System for remotely controlled precision fires.
A recent Critical Design Review of Spin Out 1 technologies
confirmed that they meet design requirements and are ready for
integration into current force vehicles and the AETF. Low-rate
initial production for Spin Out 1 will support the procurement
of 17 Brigade Combat Team sets to be fielded incrementally over
a period of seven years, beginning in fiscal year 2008.
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