FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
R#03-022 April 23, 2003
ARMY APPROVES FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEMS (FCS) PROGRAM INCREMENT 1 FOR ENTRY INTO THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND DEMONSTRATION (SDD) PHASE
The Army approved the readiness of the FCS program Increment 1 for entry into System Development and Demonstration phase of material development on Friday.
Members of the Army Systems Acquisition Review Council approved the Army's position on FCS as follows:
a. Designation of the FCS program as a single Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP);
b. Approval to enter the SDD phase for Increment 1, FCS;
c. Approval of the time-phased development approach for individual systems leading to Initial Operational Capability;
d. Approval of the Acquisition Program Baseline for Increment 1; and
e. Approval for Army management below the MDAP program level.
The Army will present the program for formal Milestone B decision and entrance into System Development and Demonstration at a meeting of the Defense Acquisition Board scheduled for May 14.
FCS, one of the Army's key transformational materiel programs, is a networked "family of systems" that uses advanced communications and technologies to link the soldier with manned and unmanned air and ground platforms and sensors. This highly agile and lethal system of systems will equip the tactical formations that will fulfill the Army's vision of the Objective Force.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) currently manages the FCS Concept and Technology Development phase of the program. Following entry into the SDD phase, the U.S. Army Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems will take responsibility for systems integration, production, fielding, and sustainment. The Army will achieve Initial Operational Capability of an FCS-equipped unit by the end of the decade.
For more information, please contact Maj. Amy Hannah, Army Public Affairs Media Relation Division at (703) 697-4314/7591.
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