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Army tests future combat systems in Air Force experiment

May 4, 2006

WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 4, 2006) – The Army recently tested emerging Future Combat System technology by teaming up with the Air Force for the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment 2006 (JEFX 06) at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

The experiment combined live, virtual and constructive air, space, naval and ground force simulations, as well as technology insertions into a joint and coalition war fighting environment.

The FCS Brigade Combat Team program joined the experiment to prove new, leading-edge technologies planned for insertion, or spiraling, into the force.

“JEFX enabled us to demonstrate our capability to integrate the battle command network and use sensors for time-sensitive targeting,” said Col. Charles Bush, chief of the Future Force Division, G-8. “It helped us strengthen faith in the fact that we’re on target in our efforts.”

FCS officials took the occasion to test the ability to provide situational awareness using the Air Force’s Constellation Network; test interoperability services to request and support time-sensitive targeting; and extend the forward intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. These efforts focus on ensuring joint and multi-national interoperability as outlined in the Army Modernization program and demonstrated by the FCS technologies.

The software and hardware that FCS brought to the experiment is significant in both maturity and quantity. In live-fly, the hardware assets included six stretch HMMWVs configured as Spin Out 1 and FCS (BCT) configurations, two complete fields of FCS prototype Tactical-Unattended Ground Sensors (T-UGS) and surrogate radios.

A robust modeling and simulation environment was used as a stimulus and testing enabler for the live systems. Through the testing of the software systems, specifically System of Systems Common Operating Environment (SOSCOE) 1.5, FCS achieved interoperability with multiple joint and multinational forces.

“We have to be able to work together as a team; The progress we’re making helps ensure the Army can work as a team with a joint force. It also positions us for meeting challenges of the future,” Bush said.

The FCS (BCT) program consists of a family of manned and unmanned systems, connected by a common network that enables the modular force. It provides Soldiers with leading-edge technologies and capabilities, allowing them to dominate in complex environments.

“Essentially, it helps our Soldiers use technology to be more efficient, and provides better security on the ground in cases where they can place sensors on the ground,” said Bush.

In 2008, Spin Out 1 will provide to the Army’s first Evaluation Combat Brigade Team (EBCT) the Intelligent Munitions System (IMS), UGS, Non-Line of Sight Launch System (NLOS-LS), and an early version of the FCS Networked Battle Command. These initial systems will provide forces with enhanced force protection capabilities; timely analysis and dissemination of information; and responsive, networked precision indirect fires.