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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

R#03-023 April 28, 2003

FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEMS PASSES ANOTHER KEY PROGRAM MILESTONE

This week, the Army took another step forward to begin fielding its Objective Force by the end of the decade when the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) approved the FCS Operational Requirements Document (ORD); validated the seven FCS Key Performance Parameters (KPPs); delegated non-KPP ORD approval authority to the Chief of Staff of the Army; and approved the Army's plan for iterative JROC program review and KPP updates. Additionally, the JROC assigned the Joint Potential Designator "Joint", ensuring interoperability, to the FCS Program.

"The decision by the JROC, following on the heels of a highly successful week of Capstone Demonstrations, is strong indication that the Department of Defense is moving ahead with its vision for transformation of The Army," said LTG John Riggs, director of the Objective Force Task Force. "Operation Iraqi Freedom was a clear validation that we are on the right path - with an FCS program that provides for a lighter, more mobile force with even greater lethality and survivability."

The JROC decision is a reflection of the close coordination made between the Army Staff, Services, Joint Staff, and OSD. It is the culmination of more than two years work by a team comprised of the Army, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the FCS Lead Systems Integrator.

FCS will offer significant new national security options to the United States. FCS will enable a broad range of capabilities providing multiple military options in any situation; able to fight on arrival; and an ability to operate across the spectrum of conflict with a single force. FCS will allow leadership to bring in the lethality and survivability of a "heavy" force capability with the speed and agility of the current "light" force. The new tactical warfighting unit of action will leverage advanced technologies as well as extensive joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in order to provide our nation with a more lethal, survivable, sustainable and deployable force than we have today. In addition, the reduced logistics footprint of an FCS-equipped force will provide an increased self-sustainment capability.

A key element of The Army's transformation program, FCS is a joint networked system of systems that employs advanced communications and technologies to link the soldier with both manned and unmanned air and ground platforms and sensors. This highly agile and versatile force will provide the tactical attributes required to fulfill the Army's vision for an Objective Force.

DARPA currently manages the FCS Concept and Technology Demonstration phase of the program. Following entry into the System Development and Demonstration phase, the U.S. Army Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems will take primary responsibility for systems integration, production, fielding, and sustainment.

END

For more information, please contact Army Public Affairs Media Relations Division at (703) 697-4314/7591.