Battlefield Automation: Army Needs to Update Fielding Plan for First Digitized Corps (Letter Report, 07/25/2000, GAO/NSIAD-00-167)
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Army's acquisition
of Category 2 weapons systems.
GAO noted that: (1) the analysis of the acquisition status of the 56
Category 2 systems indicates that about 30 percent of the systems are
already fielded or likely to be ready by the 2004 fielding milestone,
about 50 percent may not be ready, and about 20 percent will not be
ready; (2) the systems that are likely to be ready include a small
number of systems already fielded and others expected to be fielded by
2004; (3) other systems may not be ready because development schedules
are not consistent with the year 2004 milestone, operational testing has
not been performed, or interoperability demonstrations have not been
completed; (4) also, there are systems that will not be ready because of
funding shifts or development schedules that are not matched to the
fielding milestone; (5) based on Army projections, the 56 Category 2
systems will require signigicant investment--total estimated development
and procurement funding needs are $4 billion for fiscal year 2001 and
$4.4 billion for fiscal year 2002; (6) because of the uncertain
availability of most of the 56 Category 2 systems by 2004, GAO is
concerned that organizational decisions are being made on the assumption
that these systems will be ready by 2004; and (7) for example, GAO
observed that the Army had already made decisions to reduce the number
of soldiers needed to fulfill missions, based on the expected benefits
of some of the 56 Category 2 systems, even though these systems are
still only being developed or tested.
--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------
REPORTNUM: NSIAD-00-167
TITLE: Battlefield Automation: Army Needs to Update Fielding Plan
for First Digitized Corps
DATE: 07/25/2000
SUBJECT: Army procurement
Operational testing
Defense capabilities
Weapons research and development
Weapons systems
ADP procurement
Command control communications systems
IDENTIFIER: Army Digitization Master Plan
Army Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below Program
Abrams Tank
Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Paladin Howitzer
Army Tactical Command and Control System
******************************************************************
** This file contains an ASCII representation of the text of a **
** GAO Testimony. **
** **
** No attempt has been made to display graphic images, although **
** figure captions are reproduced. Tables are included, but **
** may not resemble those in the printed version. **
** **
** Please see the PDF (Portable Document Format) file, when **
** available, for a complete electronic file of the printed **
** document's contents. **
** **
******************************************************************
GAO/NSIAD-00-167
Appendix I: Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002 Funding Estimates for
Category 2 Systems
20
Appendix II: Comments From the Department of Defense
36
Table 1: The Army's Near-Term Digitization Milestones 6
Table 2: Category 2 Systems, by Availability 8
Table 3: Fielding Status of Category 2 Systems That Should
Be Ready by 2004 9
Table 4: Acquisition Status of Category 2 Systems That May Not
Be Available by 2004 11
Table 5: Category 2 Systems With Scheduled Operational Tests 12
Table 6: Category 2 Systems Not Available by 2004 15
National Security and
International Affairs Division
B-285268
July 25, 2000
The Honorable Jerry Lewis
Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense
Committee on Appropriations
House of Representatives
Dear Mr. Chairman:
Over the next decade, the Army plans to field dozens of new and improved
battlefield systems through its "digitization" initiative. Digitization
involves the application of information technologies to acquire, exchange,
and employ timely information on the battlefield. Use of digitization on the
battlefield is expected to increase the Army's survivability, lethality, and
tempo of operations.1 The Army plans to equip its first digitized division
by December 2000, its first digitized corps2 by the end of 2004, and its
remaining active and reserve divisions and corps by 2015. The Army plans to
invest about $17.4 billion for digitization from fiscal year 2001 through
fiscal year 2005.
The Army's first digitized corps will be III Corps, which consists of the
4th Infantry Division, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 3rd Armored Cavalry
Regiment. The 4th Infantry Division is scheduled to become the Army's first
digitized division through the fielding of 16 high-priority systems to the
division by December 2000. These high-priority systems are designated
"Category 1" systems, and can generally be described as command, control,
and communications systems that support decision-making by commanders
located in tactical operations centers.3 By December 2003, the Army plans to
equip its second digitized division (the 1st Cavalry Division) with both
Category 1 systems and as many "Category 2" systems as are available.
Fifty-six systems have been designated as Category 2. These systems are
considered to be lower in priority than Category 1 systems and generally
involve the fielding of new or enhanced battlefield platforms, such as the
Crusader self-propelled howitzer, Abrams tank, and Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
The final phase of the first digitized corps fielding plan is scheduled for
completion in 2004, when all III Corps units are fielded with Category 1 and
available Category 2 systems.
Last year, we provided the Subcommittee with a report on the acquisition
status of the Category 1 systems.4 This report responds to the
Subcommittee's request that we examine the acquisition status (schedule and
cost) of the Category 2 systems.
Our analysis of the acquisition status of the 56 Category 2 systems
indicates that about 30 percent of the systems are already fielded or likely
to be ready by the 2004 fielding milestone, about 50 percent may not be
ready, and about 20 percent will not be ready. The systems that are likely
to be ready include a small number of systems already fielded and others
expected to be fielded by 2004. Other systems may not be ready because
development schedules are not consistent with the year 2004 milestone,
operational testing has not been performed, or interoperability
demonstrations have not been completed. Also, there are systems that will
not be ready because of funding shifts or development schedules that are not
matched to the fielding milestone. Based on current Army projections, the 56
Category 2 systems will require significant investment: total estimated
development and procurement funding needs are $4 billion for fiscal year
2001 and $4.4 billion for fiscal year 2002. Because of the uncertain
availability of most of the 56 Category 2 systems by 2004,we are concerned
that organizational decisions are being made on the assumption that these
systems will be ready by 2004. For example, we observed that the Army had
already made decisions to reduce the number of soldiers needed to fulfill
missions, based on the expected benefits of some of the 56 Category 2
systems, even though these systems are still only being developed or tested.
To provide decisionmakers within the Army with a detailed understanding of
the impact the availability of Category 2 systems will have on other
decisions, we are recommending that the Army prepare an annual acquisition
status report that identifies when each Category 2 system is expected to be
fielded and alternative fielding strategies focused on what is needed to
successfully establish the first digitized corps by the end of 2004. DOD and
the Army agreed with our recommendation and will implement it as part of an
existing Army reporting process.
Throughout the next decade and beyond, the Army plans to continue to
modernize its forces. Included within the modernization objectives is the
integration of information technologies to acquire, exchange, and employ
timely information needed for battle. The integration of information
technologies objective is referred to as digitization and will be
implemented within the Army through the development, production, and
fielding of over 100 individual systems. The Army's digitization effort
includes high-priority systems (designated by the Army as Category 1),
lower-priority systems (known as Category 2), and other systems without a
priority ranking. For example, the Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and
Below system, which is intended to provide enhanced information to the
lowest tactical level--the individual soldier--and a seamless flow of
command and control information across the battlefield, is a high-priority
system. The Battlefield Combat Identification System, which is intended to
provide a high probability of identifying friendly forces on the battlefield
so that fratricide rates can be reduced, is a lower-priority system. The
Javelin antitank weapon system and the Gun Laying Positioning System are not
designated as priority systems but rely to a great extent on the use of
information technology.
In general, information technologies needed to conduct a battle are
available only to Army commanders in tactical operations centers, where
commanders (of units ranging in size from 500 to 100,000 soldiers) and their
staffs prepare, monitor, and alter the execution of battle plans. Providing
information technologies to the thousands of soldiers operating outside the
tactical operations centers--in the battlefield--will allow them to know
precisely where they are located on the battlefield, where friendly forces
are located, and where enemy forces and obstacles are located. The Army
expects this information to increase the lethality, survivability, and
operational tempo of its forces.
In August 1997, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans announced
that the 4th Infantry Division would be the first digitized division and
that, at a minimum, fielded equipment would include the Army Training and
Doctrine Command's list of Category 1 systems. There are 16 Category 1
systems, and the scheduled fielding date for the Fort Hood units of 4th
Infantry Division is December 2000. The Deputy Chief of Staff also announced
that the Army's second digitized division would be the 1st Cavalry Division
and that fielded equipment would include the Category 1 systems and those
Category 2 systems ready for fielding by the end of 2003. The final phase of
the first digitized corps fielding plan is scheduled for completion in 2004
when all III Corps units are expected to be fielded with Category 1 and 2
systems. Table 1 summarizes the Army's fielding milestones.
Date Major III Corps units Fielding objective
December 20004th Infantry Division brigades 16 Category 1 systems
based at Fort Hood, Texas
16 Category 1 systems
December 20031st Cavalry Division based at Fort
Hood, Texas As many Category 2
systems as are ready
4th Infantry Division brigade based
at Fort Carson Colorado 3rd Armored 16 Category 1 systems
December 2004Cavalry Regiment based at Fort
Carson, Colorado, and all other III As many Category 2
Corps units systems as are ready
Digitization, under way since the mid-1990s, is proceeding at the same time
that profound structural changes to the Army's fighting components are being
considered. The Army considers III Corps a "heavy" force because the
predominate battlefield platforms within the Corps are armored vehicles such
as the Abrams tank, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and the Paladin
self-propelled howitzer. Six of the 10 divisions within the active Army are
considered mechanized or heavy divisions. "Light" forces such as the XVIII
Airborne Corps complement the heavy forces; together these two forces
constitute most of "the Army." Light forces rely on mobility and such weapon
systems as mortars and towed howitzers. There are four light divisions
within the active Army. Light forces can be mobilized and deployed in a
relatively short period of time; at the same time, the length of their
initial missions generally does not exceed 4 days. It takes longer to
mobilize and deploy heavy forces, but their initial missions can be long in
duration. In October 1999, the Army Chief of Staff announced that the Army
would evolve into a "medium-weight" force by making heavy forces more
strategically deployable and more agile and by making light forces more
lethal, survivable, and tactically mobile. These objectives are nearly
identical to the expected benefits of digitization, and it is likely that
the design of the Army's medium-weight force will depend on the expected
benefits of digitization. Every element of the medium-weight force is
envisioned to generate combat power and contribute decisively to the fight.
Completion of the medium-weight force design is scheduled for 2003.
Notwithstanding this medium-weight force initiative, the Army is committed
to fielding its first digitized corps by the end of 2004.
Uncertainties Associated With Their 2004 Availability
Our analysis of the acquisition status of the 56 Category 2 systems
indicates that about 30 percent of the 56 Category 2 systems are likely to
be ready,
50 percent may not be ready, and 20 percent will not be ready by 2004. The
systems that are likely to be ready include a small number of systems
already fielded and others expected to be fielded by 2004. Other systems may
not be ready because development schedules are not consistent with the year
2004 milestone, operational testing has not been performed, or
interoperability demonstrations have not been completed. Also, there are
systems that will not be ready because of funding shifts or development
schedules that are not matched to the fielding milestone. In completing our
analysis, we relied on data provided by Army officials. While different Army
organizations were able to offer analyses based on their unique perspective
(test and evaluation, user, or material developer), a comprehensive overview
analysis that included each of the 56 Category 2 systems was lacking. Table
2 summarizes our analysis of the individual Category 2 systems and
identifies those on schedule for fielding, those that may not be ready, and
those that will not be ready by 2004. We estimate that in fiscal year 2001,
the 56 Category 2 systems will require $1.6 billion in development funding
and $2.4 billion in procurement funding and that in fiscal year 2002
development and procurement funds will be $1.9 billion and $2.5 billion,
respectively. These estimates are consistent with prior Army estimates.
Appendix I provides funding estimates for each of the Category 2 systems for
fiscal years 2001 and 2002.
18 systems already 26 systems with
fielded or expected to be uncertain availability 12 systems that will not
fielded by 2004 by 2004 be ready by 2004
Development schedule
indicates may not be
ready by 2004
Airborne
Communications Node
Battle Command Vehicle
Ground-Based Common
Sensor-Heavy/Prophet
Ground
Joint Tactical Radio
System
Joint Warning and
Reporting Network
Already fielded
Land Warrior
Terminated
Personal
Linebacker Communications System
Sentinel Smart Cards Command and Control
Vehicle
Trojan Spirit
Grizzly Engineering
Require operational Vehicle
testing
Expected to be fielded Wolverine Heavy Assault
Bridge
Aviation Mission
Analysis Control Team Planning System
Enclave Restructured
Battlefield Combat
AH-64D Apache Identification System
Aviation Tactical Bradley Fire Support Crusader
Operations Centers Team Vehicle (M7)
Future Scout and Cavalry
Avenger Slew-to-Cue Defense Message System
System/Tactical
Common Ground Message System Prophet Air
Station/Ground Station intelligence/electronic
Module Global Combat Support warfare system
System-Army
Contact Maintenance Truck
Lightweight Laser
Digital Topographic Designator Rangefinder Development schedule
Support System indicates system will not
Long Range Advanced be ready by 2004
Firefinder Scout Surveillance
System
Integrated Meteorological
System M1A2 Abrams tank with Army Airborne Command and
system enhancements Control System
M93A1 Fox
M2A3 Bradley Fighting Palletized Loading
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Vehicle System-Enhanced-Driver
Viewer Enhanced
Paladin Medical Communications
for Combat Casualty Raptor Intelligent Combat
Palletized Loading Care/Joint Theater Outpost
System-Enhanced-Movement Medical Information
Tracking System Program Tactical Interactive
Ground Equipment
Standard Mobile Integrated
Installation/Division Tactical Wireless Local Area
Personnel System 3 Terminal/Division Network
Tactical Exploitation
Tactical Operations System RAH-66 Comanche
Centers
Mortar Fire Control
System
Multiple Launch Rocket
System
Radio Frequency Tags
Striker (M707)
Tactical Airspace
Integration System
Tactical Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle
Transportation
Coordinators Automated
Information for
Movement System II
Note: Three systems (Digital Topographic Support System, Integrated
Meteorological System, and Tactical Airspace Integration System) have their
own individual acquisition status but are also required to complete
interoperability testing. This issue is discussed later in this report.
Source: GAO analysis of acquisition status of each Category 2 system.
Our analysis of the current acquisition status of the 56 Category 2 systems
indicates that 18 systems are already fielded to the first digitized corps
or are on schedule for fielding. Those that have already been fielded are
Linebacker, Sentinel, and Trojan Spirit. The fielding schedules for the
remaining systems appear in table 3.
System Fielding status
The All Source Analysis System
remote workstations used in the
Analysis Control Team Enclave Analysis Control Team Enclave have
completed operational testing, and
all units should be fielded by the
end of 2000.
Fielding to the first digitized
corps is expected to be completed
by May 2004. However, the improved
data modem, which performs as the
Internet controller for aviation
AH-64D Apache Longbow assets, will have limited
capabilities through the Division
Capstone Exercise in April 2001. An
enhanced version of the modem is
eventually expected to have full
capabilities.
Aviation Tactical Operations Center See Tactical Operations Centers.
Fielding of Avenger to the first
Avenger Slew-to-Cue digitized corps is expected to be
completed by 2002.
The first digitized corps will
require about 25 Common Ground
Stations; production of all 100
Common Ground stations is scheduled
Common Ground Station/Ground Station to end in 2001. An enhanced version
Module of the Common Ground Station, which
shares data with the Army Tactical
Command and Control System, is
scheduled to participate in the
April 2001 Division Capstone
Exercise.
Fielding of the Contact Maintenance
Contact Maintenance Truck Truck to the first digitized corps
is expected to be completed by
September 2000.
The objective fielding
configuration is the Digital
Topographic Support System-Light on
Digital Topographic Support System a single high-mobility,
multipurpose, wheeled vehicle.
Fielding to the first digitized
corps is scheduled for completion
by the end of 2004.
A new software version (12) for the
Firefinder radar system is
Firefinder scheduled to be tested at the end
of fiscal year 2000. Firefinder
hardware is on schedule for the
first digitized division and corps.
The Integrated Meteorological
System with Army Battle Command
System software version 4.3 is
being fielded throughout the Army.
The objective Category 2 fielding
Integrated Meteorological System goal is to field the system with
Army Battle Command System version
6.0. The first operational
assessment of this configuration is
scheduled for the Division Capstone
Exercise in April 2001.
While the fielding of 20 M93A1
Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical
Reconaissance Systems to most III
M93A1 Fox Corps units was completed in June
1999, another 8 units are scheduled
for fielding to III Corps in
December 2002.
The Army plans to upgrade the OH-58
A and C versions to D versions
through a Safety Enhancement
Program. Aircraft fielded to III
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Corps units will have limited
digital capability. This will be
upgraded in a two-phase effort to
provide full aviation messaging
capability for the first digitized
corps by 2004.
Paladin is already fielded to III
Corps units. However, an
improvement program is under way to
integrate a Force XXI Battle
Command, Brigade and Below
Paladin capability into the platform. The
integration effort will be
evaluated at the Division Capstone
Exercise in April 2001 and the
Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade
and Below initial operational test
and evaluation in November 2001.
Palletized Loading System-Enhanced The system is scheduled to be
Movement Tracking System fielded to most III Corps units in
fiscal year 2001.
Standard Installation/Division The system is scheduled for
Personnel System 3 fielding to III Corps units by June
2000.
Fielding to the first digitized
corps is expected to be completed
by 2004. The Centers being fielded
Tactical Operations Centers include the Aviation Tactical
Operations Center, which was
identified as a separate system on
the Training and Doctrine Command's
list of Category 2 systems.
Note: The Digital Topographic Support System and the Integrated
Meteorological System need to demonstrate that interoperability objectives
have been met. This issue is discussed later in the report.
Source: Data provided by Army program management officials.
Our analysis of the current acquisition status of 56 Category 2 systems
indicates that as many as half of the systems may not be ready for fielding
by the end of 2004. We have identified three main causes. First, the
development schedules for eight systems fall somewhere between the likely to
be ready and not ready categories. The systems could be available; if the
acquisition schedule is delayed, they will likely not be ready. Second, over
a dozen Category 2 systems require operational testing before they are
scheduled for production and fielding. Since the outcome of operational
testing is unknown at this point, it is uncertain whether these systems will
be fielded as scheduled. Third, three Category 2 systems need to demonstrate
that they can share data automatically with critical Army command and
control systems. This interoperability among systems is key to maximizing
the potential of digitization.
Schedule Data Indicate Eight Systems May Not Be Ready for Fielding
Given the development schedules of eight Category 2 systems, it is still too
early to tell whether the systems can be fielded to all III Corps units by
the end of 2004. For example, the Prophet Ground Program has replaced the
Ground-Based Common Sensor-Heavy Program. Prophet Ground is scheduled for
initial operational testing early in fiscal year 2004 and for production in
fiscal years 2004 and 2005. As a result, the Army is not sure that this
system can be fielded by 2004.
Table 4 discusses the acquisition status of the Category 2 systems that may
or may not be fielded to all III Corps units by the end of 2004.
System Acquisition status
The Army is supporting a
high-capacity, line-of-sight radio
relay during an unmanned aerial
vehicle flight demonstration in
September 2001. The needs for the
Airborne Communications Node ground link to the Airborne
Communications Node are being studied.
Since the Army is still exploring the
concept of an airborne communications
node, no production schedules or
fielding plans have yet been
established.
The vehicle was developed for use
during the Task Force XXI Advanced
Battle Command Vehicle Warfighting Experiment in 1997. The
program is still in the concept
exploration phase and has no budget,
milestones, or fielding plans.
The Prophet Ground program has
replaced the Ground-Based Common
Sensor-Heavy program. Prophet Ground
Ground-Based Common is scheduled for initial operational
Sensor-Heavy/Prophet Ground testing early in fiscal year 2004 and
production in fiscal years 2004 and
2005. As a result, III Corps units may
or may not receive the system in 2004.
The Joint Tactical Radio System is
described as the Department of Defense
radio of the future. Prototype radios
are being designed. The 4th Infantry
Joint Tactical Radio System Division has received the Army
Near-Term Data Radio, a Category 1
system. The 1st Cavalry Division is
scheduled to receive the Joint
Tactical Radio System, if available,
in fiscal year 2003.
All Joint Warning and Reporting
Network fielding dates depend on the
release of Army Battle Command System
software, version 6.1. Fieldings for
Joint Warning and Reporting Network various phases of the system are
scheduled in fiscal years 2000, 2002,
and 2004. If the Army Battle Command
software is delayed, fielding to the
first digitized corps could also be
delayed and extend beyond 2004.
Land Warrior Fielding is scheduled to begin in 2004
at the earliest.
The overall objective of this program
is to develop commercially available
wireless cellular telephone technology
Personal Communications System for secure mobile satellite services
and terrestrial applications. There is
no validated requirement or funding
for this system.
The Smart Cards system is not
Smart Cards scheduled to be fielded until 2004 at
the earliest.
Note: To explore new concepts, such as use of the Battle Command Vehicle,
the Army acquired and installed sufficient quantities of new equipment to
field a brigade-sized experimental force in June 1996. The experimental
force used the equipment in an Advanced Warfighting Experiment, which
culminated in March 1997 during a 2-week deployment to the National Training
Center at Fort Irwin, California.
Source: Data provided by Army program management officials.
Eighteen Systems Must Undergo Operational Testing
Eighteen of the Category 2 systems must still undergo operational testing.
The unknown outcome of operational testing and the potential introduction of
schedule delays cause a degree of fielding uncertainty. For example, the
M1A2 Abrams tank, with system enhancements (a Category 2 system), was
scheduled for a follow-on operational test and evaluation in July 1999.
Mainly as a result of an unsuccessful effort to embed Force XXI Battle
Command, Brigade and Below software into the tank's data processing system,
the follow-on test and evaluation has been rescheduled for October 2000.
Table 5 identifies the Category 2 systems that must undergo operational test
and evaluation before production and fielding plans can be finalized.
System Operational test event Scheduled time
frame
2nd quarter
Aviation Mission Planning System Initial operational test
and evaluation fiscal year
2000
3rd quarter
Battlefield Combat Initial operational test
Identification System and evaluation fiscal year
2001
3rd quarter
Bradley Fire Support Team Initial operational test
Vehicle (M7)a and evaluation fiscal year
2000
2nd quarter
Defense Message System/Tactical Initial operational test
Message System and evaluation fiscal year
2001
Global Combat Support System Fiscal years
− Army Module testing 2000-2003
1st quarter
Lightweight Laser Designator Initial operational test
Rangefinder and evaluation fiscal year
2001
3rd quarter
Long-Range Advanced Scout Follow-on operational
Surveillance System test and evaluation fiscal year
2001
1st quarter
M1A2 Abrams Tank with system Follow-on operational
enhancements test and evaluation fiscal year
2001
1st quarter
M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle Initial operational test
and evaluation fiscal year
2001
Medical Communications for 1st quarter
Combat Casualty Care/Joint Initial operational test
Theater Medical Information and evaluation fiscal year
Program 2001
Mobile Integrated Tactical 2nd quarter
Terminal/Division Tactical Initial operational test
Exploitation System and evaluation fiscal year
2002
4th quarter
Mortar Fire Control System Initial operational test
and evaluation fiscal year
2001
3rd quarter
Multiple Launch Rocket System Initial operational test
(M270A1) and evaluation fiscal year
2001
As part of Global Combat 1st quarter
Radio Frequency Tags Support System- Army
operational test and fiscal year
evaluation 2001
3rd quarter
Striker (M707) Initial operational test
and evaluation fiscal year
2000
3rd quarter
Tactical Airspace Integration Initial operational test
System and evaluation fiscal year
2001
3rd quarter
Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Initial operational test
and evaluation fiscal year
2001
Transportation Coordinators 4th quarter
Automated Information for Initial operational test
Movement System II and evaluation fiscal year
2000
Notes: Even if the Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicle and the Striker
successfully complete their initial operational test and evaluation, these
systems are not scheduled to be available to all III Corps units by the end
of 2004. As discussed later in this report, the Tactical Airspace
Integration System also needs to demonstrate that interoperability
objectives have been met.
aTest schedule may slip due to inadequate funding for testing.
Source: Data provided by Army program management officials.
Three Systems Need to Demonstrate Interoperability
Three Category 2 systems and five Category 1 systems5 making up the Army
Tactical Command and Control System, need to demonstrate that they can share
data automatically through a common database. Two of the Category 2
systems--the Digital Topographic Support System and the Integrated
Meteorological System--are presently being fielded, and the third--the
Tactical Airspace Integration System--is still under development. While the
systems can be fielded individually, the benefits of digitization will not
be optimized until they can share data through a common database.
At present, when a change is made to an individual system's database,
component systems' databases are not automatically updated. Instead, the
updates are done manually, either through inputs to other related databases
or through an electronic message to the databases. For example, if the
Integrated Meteorological System database is changed to show new weather
information, the change would have to be manually entered or done through a
message to the Digital Topographic Support System or Tactical Airspace
Integration System databases.
The Army intends to automate database updates and database sharing with the
development and fielding of a software package called the Army Battle
Command System software. It is developing a new version of the system
software (designated version 6.0), which will be followed by version 6.1 for
use in September 2000, version 6.2 for use in April and November 2001, and
version 7.0, which is scheduled to be fielded throughout the Army. However,
Army officials stated that problems associated with version 6.0 place all of
these scheduled events in jeopardy. Until these three Category 2 systems
demonstrate interoperability, the Army cannot exploit the full potential of
the Army Tactical Command and Control System.
Our analysis of the current acquisition status of the 56 Category 2 systems
indicates that 12 of the systems will not be ready for fielding by the
Army's milestone, the end of 2004. We have identified two main causes.
First, the Army's medium-weight force initiative led to the termination and
restructure of six Category 2 systems. Second, the development schedule for
six systems indicates that even if they progress as currently scheduled,
they will not be ready for fielding by 2004.
Medium-Weight Force Initiative Led to the Termination and Restructure of Six
Systems
To fund or otherwise support the medium-weight force initiative, the Deputy
Secretary of Defense made a program budget decision6 that resulted in
adjustments to dozens of Army programs during fiscal years 2001-2005. For
example, the decision provided for funding in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 to
establish two initial brigades at Fort Lewis, Washington, and it increased
funding for the development of a family of Future Combat System vehicles to
replace a portion of the current tank force. The decision also resulted in
the restructure of three Army programs and the termination of six others.
The three restructured programs and three of the six terminated programs are
Category 2 digitization systems.
The three restructured digitization programs are the Crusader self-propelled
howitzer, the Future Scout and Cavalry System, and the Prophet Air
intelligence/electronic warfare system. All will require more development
time before they are ready for production and fielding. None of the systems
will be available to III Corps units by the 2004 digitization fielding
milestone.
The three terminated Category 2 programs are the Command and Control
Vehicle, the Grizzly Engineer Vehicle, and the Wolverine Heavy Assault
Bridge. Since Grizzly and Wolverine were identified as the solutions to
serious engineering equipment deficiencies 9 years ago, after Operation
Desert Storm, officials at the 4th Infantry Division told us that loss of
Grizzly and Wolverine posed a significant drawback to the achievement of
their operational performance goals. This is because obsolete engineer
equipment was ranked among the top five problems for that operation.
According to the 4th Infantry Division officials, termination of the program
adversely affects operational performance. That is (1) without the Grizzly
Engineering Vehicle, combat power is reduced because one third of the main
battle tanks must be used as mine rollers and mine plows and
(2) lacking the Wolverine, the momentum of operations will be reduced
because the Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles will have to rely on
an old bridge system.
Six Category 2 Systems Will Not Be Ready Because Development Schedules Are
Inconsistent With Fielding by the End of 2004
The development schedules for six other Category 2 systems are not
consistent with the 2004 fielding milestone. Table 6 discusses the Category
2 systems that will not be fielded to all III Corps units by the end of 2004
and their schedules for fielding.
System Fielding schedule
Army Airborne Command and Control The system is to be fielded to the
System 1st Cavalry Division in 2005 and to
III Corps in 2006.
Palletized Load Funding is not expected to be
System-Enhanced-Driver Viewer available until fiscal year 2006 at
Enhanced the earliest.
Raptor Intelligent Combat Outpost Fielding is scheduled to begin in
System fiscal year 2007.
Fielding to III Corps is scheduled
RAH-66 Comanche to begin in 2005 with the delivery
of eight aircraft to the 1st Cavalry
Division.
This concept has not yet matured
beyond the planning phase because of
Tactical Interactive Ground Equipment concerns about the amount of
bandwidth needed for continuous
real-time updates.
Two wireless local area networks for
Tactical Operations Centers are
Wireless Local Area Network scheduled for delivery to the 4th
Infantry Division in June 2000 for
experimentation. Operational systems
will not be available before 2004.
Source: Army program management officials.
The Army has already made and is continuing to make decisions on structural
changes based in part on the capabilities to be derived from digitization,
including those from Category 2 systems, even though the battlefield systems
involved are still being developed and tested. For example, the Army has
changed the composition of the 4th Infantry Division because it expects that
digitization will reduce the number of soldiers needed to fulfill missions.
This redesign has resulted in the elimination of entire units, a reduction
of major fighting platforms (Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles),
and a decrease in the number of soldiers within the division from 18,069 to
15,719. In addition, the Division's expected area of operations has grown
from 10,000 square kilometers to 24,000 square kilometers on the basis of
the capabilities expected from digitization. A comparable redesign of III
Corps units is under way; it is likely that the redesign will assume the
availability of individual Category 2 systems.
Although the Army plans to field as many Category 2 systems that are
available by the end of 2004 to the first digitized corps, many of the 56
Category 2 systems may not be available for fielding. Only 18 of the
systems, or about 30 percent, are already fielded or will be fielded by
2004, 26 systems may not be ready based on their development and production
schedules, and 12 will not be ready for various reasons, including the fact
that some systems have already been canceled. Yet, Army officials continue
to base decisions on the expected benefits of digitization, generally on the
assumption that most of the 56 Category 2 systems will be ready for fielding
by the end of 2004. Such decision-making is hampered by the absence of a
comprehensive analysis of where individual Category 2 systems stand
regarding the projected end of the 2004 milestone and how each contributes
to digitization goals. Without such an analysis, decisionmakers do not have
a complete view of the impact other decisions, such as the termination of
the Grizzly Engineering Vehicle and Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge programs,
might have on its digitization goals.
To provide decisionmakers within the Army with a detailed understanding of
the impact the availability of Category 2 systems will have on other
decisions, we recommend that the Secretary of the Army direct the
preparation of an annual acquisition status report that identifies (1) when
each Category 2 system is expected to be fielded and (2) alternative
fielding strategies focused on the successful establishment of the first
digitized corps by the end of 2004.
In written comments on a draft of this report, DOD agreed with the findings
of the report and concurred with our recommendation. In its comments, DOD
stated that it supports increased efforts to track the acquisition status of
the Army's Category 2 systems as we recommended. In this regard, the Army
has agreed to include the acquisition status of the Category 2 systems with
its recurring Brigade Set Fielding reporting process. The Army believes this
reporting concept will obviate the need for an additional report to meet
this new requirement. We believe this approach will satisfy the intent of
our recommendation. DOD's comments are printed in their entirety in appendix
II.
To determine the acquisition status of the Category 2 systems and to
identify any cost or schedule uncertainties that could confront the Army
when its first digitized corps is fielded, we began by reviewing the
objectives of the Army XXI and Army After Next initiatives, the fielding
plans for III Corps units, and individual system cost and schedule data. We
obtained briefings from program managers, testers, and users. We also
analyzed the acquisition strategy of each Category 2 program, critical
program milestones, and the relationship between critical program milestones
and fielding plans for the first digitized corps. We used an August 1999
listing of 56 Category 2 systems as the starting point for our analysis; we
met with Training and Doctrine Command officials in September 1999, and they
confirmed that the list was accurate. In May 2000, during our exit
conference, Army officials informed us that there had been some minor
changes to the Category 2 systems listing we used throughout the assignment.
For example, the Tactical Interactive Ground Equipment and Wireless Local
Area Network were no longer considered Category 2 systems. Since these
changes did not materially alter our results, we decided to report on the 56
Category 2 systems we used as the starting point for our analysis.
We also reviewed the test and evaluation schedules of each Category 2
system. We then compared these schedules with the fielding schedule for the
first digitized corps. We also analyzed the impact of the medium-weight
force initiative on the digitization initiative. We reviewed the overall
objectives of major digitization validation events, including Army Tactical
Command and Control System interoperability objectives, and plans to use new
and upgraded versions of communication equipment, weapons platforms
(including Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles with embedded Force
XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below software), and tactical operations
centers during the tests and exercises. We reviewed the revised Army test
and evaluation plan for the Force XXI Battle Command, Brigade and Below
system.
In the course of our work, we interviewed program officials and examined
program management and budget documents, system requirements, test plans,
acquisition plans, and other program documentation. We performed our work
primarily at the Army Digitization Office, Arlington, Virginia; the Army
Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Michigan; the Army
Communications and Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; the Army
Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; and program
management offices located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, Edgewood
Arsenal, Maryland, and Fort Belvoir, Virginia. We also gathered data from
the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, Arlington, Virginia; the Army
Training and Doctrine Command, Norfolk, Virginia; the Army Test and
Evaluation Command, Alexandria, Virginia; and the III Corps, 4th Infantry
Division, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
We performed our review from August 1999 to March 2000 in accordance with
generally accepted government auditing standards.
We are sending copies of this report to Representative John P. Murtha,
Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee; Representative C.W. Bill Young,
Chairman, and Representative David R. Obey, Ranking Minority Member, House
Committee on Appropriations; and other interested congressional committees.
We are also sending copies of this report to the Honorable William S. Cohen,
Secretary of Defense; the Honorable Louis Caldera, Secretary of the Army;
and General James L. Jones, Commandant of the Marine Corps. Copies will also
be made available to others upon request.
If you have any questions regarding this report, please contact Charles F.
Rey at (202) 512-4174 or Paul G. Williams at (617) 565-7468. Key
contributors to this report were Robert J. Dziekiewicz and Subrata Ghoshroy.
Sincerely yours,
Allen Li
Associate Director
Defense Acquisitions Issues
Fiscal Years 2001 and 2002 Funding Estimates for Category 2 Systems
(Continued From Previous Page)
Funding estimate fiscal Funding estimate fiscal
year year
2001 2002
Acquisition status and purpose Research and Research and
of Category 2 systems development Procurement development Procurement
1. The Army Airborne Command
and Control System (A2C2S) is a
helicopter-hosted (UH-60 Black
Hawk) command and control
system that will serve as a
highly mobile command post for
corps, division, or maneuver
brigade commanders. The
commanders will be provided
voice and data equipment
equivalent to a tactical
command post or battle command $16.5 0 $9.2 $26.2
vehicle. The system is still in
the engineering and
manufacturing development
phase. An initial operational
test and evaluation is
scheduled for April 2002. The
second digitized division (1st
Cavalry Division) is scheduled
to be fielded in fiscal year
2005 and the first digitized
corps in fiscal year 2006.
2. The Analysis Control Team
(ACT) Enclave mainly consists
of two All Source Analysis
System (ASAS) remote
workstations in a
communications shelter mounted
on a high-mobility,
multipurpose wheeled vehicle.
The ACT Enclave allows the
brigade combat team to
integrate, process, and
interpret near real-time sensor
and broadcast reports from 0 $25.9 0 12.1
remote intelligence sources via
a common ground station and to
merge the information with the
brigade's organic
reconnaissance. The ACT will be
located at the brigade level.
The remote workstation has
already completed operational
testing and all first digitized
division ACT Enclave units
should be fielded by the end of
2000.
3. The Airborne Communications
Node (ACN) is a Defense
Advanced Research Projects
Agency demonstration project
that is intended to package a
communications link on an
airborne platform. Expected
benefits include a beyond
line-of-sight communications
capability, command and control
"on the move," and
communications in areas that
cannot accommodate fixed
Warfighter Information Network
(WIN) equipment. The Army,
through its WIN-Terrestrial 12.5 0 38.1 0
program, has agreed to support
a High-Capacity Line-of-Sight
radio relay during the Phase II
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
flight demonstration in
September 2001. The needs for
the ground link to the ACN are
currently being studied. (Note:
the indicated funding for
fiscal year 2002 is for
Information Integration
Systems, which includes ACN.
The comparable figure for
fiscal year 2001 is $49.7
million.)
4. The Apache Longbow (AH-64D)
is a two-crew member, tandem
cockpit-configured aircraft
that incorporates major
improvements and upgrades to
the earlier AH-64A version. The
Longbow Weapon System will
provide automatic target
detection, classification,
prioritization, and a
fire-and-forget engagement
capability, greatly increasing
weapon system effectiveness and
aircraft survivability. AH-64D
fielding to the first digitized17.4 621.2 38.4 748.4
corps is scheduled to be
completed by May 2004. However,
the improved data modem, which
performs as aviation's Internet
controller and tactical
Internet, will have limited
command and control and
situational awareness
capabilities in version 5.0 at
the Division Capstone Exercise
in April 2001. Version 5.1 is
expected to have full
capabilities.
5. The Aviation Mission
Planning System (AMPS) is a
mission
planning/battle-synchronization
tool that automates aviation
mission planning tasks,
including route generation,
performance planning,
communications planning,
terrain analysis, data
transfer, and mission
rehearsal. It will provide
connectivity to the Army
Tactical Command and Control 0 9.0 0 7.1
Systems, transfer mission
planning data to aircraft, and
disseminates maps to the
platforms. An initial
operational test and evaluation
is currently scheduled for
February 2001. However, AMPS
has been widely fielded in
support of Army aviation, and
fieldings to the digitized
units are well in advance of
the overall Army timeline.
6. The Advanced Quick Fix (AQF)
is also known as Prophet-Air.
The Prophet components (air,
ground, and control) are
intended to electronically map
the battlefield by detecting,
identifying, locating, and
tracking radio frequency
emitters and then graphically
depicting these emitters.
Originally, the AQF sensor was
to have been placed on a
helicopter, as was the Quickfix
(AN/ALQ-151) sensor package.
The airborne platform has
changed and will now be a
dedicated UAV. Although Prophet7.0 0 8.0 0
Air is listed as a "program
termination" in the Program
Budget Decision (PBD) 745
narrative, it appears to be a
restructure with a shift in the
acquisition phase from
engineering and manufacturing
development to
demonstration/validation. The
Prophet Air schedule now shows
an engineering and
manufacturing development
milestone decision in fiscal
year 2003 and a production
milestone III decision at the
end of fiscal year 2005.
7. The Avenger Slew-to-Cue
(STC) is an upgrade to the
Avenger, a lightweight, highly
mobile and transportable
surface-to-air missile and
machine gun system that
includes Stinger missiles and a
.50 caliber machine gun mounted
on a heavy high mobility
multipurpose wheeled vehicle
(HMMWV). Its mission is
short-range air defense for
division and corps. It is
designed for stationary or
shoot-on-the-move defense
against UAVs, cruise missiles, 0 6.8 2.0 9.4
helicopters, and fixed-wing
aircraft in all weather
conditions. The STC upgrade
accepts data from the Forward
Area Air Defense Command,
Control and Intelligence System
(FAADC2I) and automatically
moves the Avenger turret,
placing targets in the gunner's
field of view. Fielding of
Avenger STC to the first
digitized corps is expected to
be completed by fiscal year
2002.
8. The Aviation Tactical
Operations Center (AVTOC) is
included in the Tactical 0 0 0 0
Operations Center summary.
9. The Battlefield Combat
Identification System (BCIS) is
a millimeter wave "question and
answer system" intended to
provide a high probability
(greater than 95 percent) of
identifying friendly platforms
on the battlefield so that
fratricide rates can be
reduced. A low-rate initial 2.4 18.8 0 18.8
production contract was awarded
in December 1999. An initial
operational test and evaluation
is scheduled for the third
quarter of fiscal year 2001. A
full-rate production decision
is scheduled for the second
quarter of fiscal year 2002.
10. The Battle Command Vehicle
was developed for use during
the Task Force XXI Advanced
Warfighting Experiment in 1997.
It is a command and control
vehicle (Bradley derivative)
improved with additional
radios, Applique, Mobile
Subscriber Equipment, Maneuver
Control System, two additional
computer workstations, and a 0 0 0 0
21-inch flat panel display. The
purpose of the vehicle is to
facilitate command and control
at the brigade and battalion
levels. The program appears to
still be in the concept
exploration phase; we could not
identify any budget,
milestones, or fielding plans.
11. The Bradley Fire Support
Team (BFIST) Vehicle provides
enhanced surveillance, target
acquisition, and target
tracking information for use by
field artillery assets. There
are two BFIST models: the M7
BFIST is based on the Bradley
A2 Operation Desert Storm
chassis and the A3 BFIST is
based on the Bradley A3
chassis. An initial operational
test and evaluation of the M7
BFIST vehicle is scheduled for
Fort Stewart from January
through May 2000; however, the
funding for the initial 2.2 28.5 0 32.0
operational test and evaluation
is questionable. The initial
operational test and evaluation
may have to be delayed. M7
BFIST vehicles are scheduled to
be fielded to the 1st Cavalry
Division and the 3rd Armored
Cavalry Regiment by the end of
fiscal year 2004, but the 4th
Infantry Division is not
scheduled to receive its A3
BFISTS until 2005. The initial
fielding of the M7 BFIST
vehicles will be to the 3rd
Infantry Division at Fort
Stewart.
12. The Command and Control
Vehicle is an armored vehicle
intended to ensure a mobile,
responsive, survivable command 0 0 0 0
and control capability for the
heavy force. The program has
been canceled through PBD 745.
13. The Common Ground
Station/Ground Station Module
(CGS/GSM) receives and displays
data from a variety of sources,
including Joint STARS, the
Hunter UAV, satellite
intelligence broadcast reports,
and the Apache Longbow.
Operationally, the Analysis
Control Team within a tactical
operations center analyzes CGS
data and other intelligence
data to provide commanders with
an integrated "red picture" of
the battlefield. The first
digitized corps will require
about 25 CGSs; the last 13.4 72.1 11.4 27.8
contract award date, which will
complete the buy of 100 CGSs
for the Army is scheduled for
fiscal year 2001. A program
executive officer development
initiative is endeavoring to
export the CGS's Joint STARS
"live overlay" into the Army
Tactical Command and Control
System (ATCCS) Joint Common
Database, and export Joint
Common Database products to the
CGS. The CGS is scheduled to
participate in the April 2001
Division Capstone Exercise.
14. The Contact Maintenance
Truck (CMT) is a
self-contained, multicapable
light repair system in an
enclosure, mounted on a heavy
HMMWV chassis. It performs
organizational to direct
support level repair for
wheeled vehicles and equipment.
The CMT is a nondevelopment
item. Fielding to the III Corps0 9.7 0 9.9
units is scheduled for
completion by September 2000.
No Force XXI Battle Command,
Brigade and Below (FBCB2)
capability is currently
scheduled for this vehicle, but
it will have a Global
Positioning System receiver on
the vehicle dash.
15. The Crusader weapon system
is a 155-mm self-propelled
howitzer and resupply vehicle
that will support the maneuver
force for Army XXI and Army
After Next. The 1999 schedule
showed an engineering and
manufacturing development (EMD)
milestone decision in the
second quarter of fiscal year
2001 and a full-rate production355.5 0 446.9 0
decision in the first quarter
of fiscal year 2006. The first
unit was to have been fielded
in 2005. However, PBD 745
provided for a major
restructure of the program. EMD
is now scheduled for fiscal
year 2003, low-rate initial
production in 2006, and the
first unit equipped in 2008.
16. The mission of the Defense
Message System (DMS) is to
integrate a modernized command
and control messaging
capability, including joint and
coalition interoperability, for
all Department of Defense (DOD)
locations. The Defense
Information Systems Agency
(DISA) is the responsible
executive agent for developing
the system. The Army segment of0 18.8 0 19.8
DMS is intended to provide
global messaging for the Army
from the battlefield to the
sustaining base. While DMS has
been at Fort Hood units since
1997, a DMS subsystem, the
Tactical Message System, is
scheduled to undergo an initial
operational test and evaluation
in the second quarter of fiscal
year 2001.
17. The Digital Topographic
Support System (DTSS) automates
terrain analysis and will
provide digital maps and
updates to commanders and
weapon platforms in support of
mission planning, rehearsal,
and execution. The objective
fielding configuration is the 0 20.0 0 4.5
DTSS-Light on a single HMMWV.
The DTSS-Light was type
classified in January 1998.
Fielding to first digitized
corps units is scheduled for
completion by the end of fiscal
year 2004.
18. The Future Scout and
Cavalry System (FSCS) will
replace the current ground
scout systems in the platoon,
company, battalion, brigade,
and division levels. FSCS will
conduct continuous,
all-weather, area, zone, and
route reconnaissance to provide
real-time, man-in-the-loop
intelligence to the tactical
commander. PBD 745 provides for
a restructuring of the FSCS 68.9 0 72.4 0
program and essentially removes
funding for the engineering and
manufacturing development phase
from fiscal year 2002 onward.
(Note: funding indicated for
fiscal year 2002 is for
Advanced Combat Vehicle
Technology, which includes
FSCS. The comparable figure for
fiscal year 2001 is $104.7
million.)
19. Firefinder is a
phased-array radar that tracks
incoming and outgoing
artillery, rockets, missiles,
and mortars. Data is sent to
the Fire Detection Center
which, in turn, is linked via
the Advanced Field Artillery
Tactical Data System (AFATDS) 37.4 18.5 26.8 30.4
to counter-fire batteries. A
new software version (12) is
scheduled to be tested at the
end of fiscal year 2000.
Firefinder hardware is on
schedule and within budget for
the first digitized division
and corps.
20. The Ground-Based Common
Sensor-Heavy (GBCS-H) is
evolving to the Prophet-Ground
HMMWV-based system. The Prophet
components (air, ground, and
control) are intended to
electronically map the
battlefield by detecting,
identifying, locating, and
tracking radio-frequency
emitters and then graphically
depicting these emitters.
Prophet-Ground is intended to 0 4.9 0 4.9
have on-the-move direction
finding and signals
exploitation capabilities.
Prophet-Ground will replace the
fielded Trailblazer system.
Prophet-Ground is scheduled for
initial operational test and
evaluation early in fiscal year
2004 and production in fiscal
years 2004 and 2005. The Army
has not yet established the
fielding priorities.
21. The Grizzly (M1 Breacher)
Engineering Vehicle is an
armored combat support system
designed to integrate
countermine and counterobstacle0 0 0 0
capabilities into a single
survivable system. The program
has been canceled through PBD
745.
22. The Global Combat Support
System−Army (GCSS-A)
supports the Combat Service
Support functions of manning,
fixing, fueling, moving, and
sustaining soldiers and their
systems. The GCSS-A is being
fielded through the
introduction of various product
line modules: supply/property,
maintenance, integrated
material management, 74.4 30.0 94.9 52.1
management, supply support
activity, and ammunition. Each
module requires operational
testing and will be fielded
between fiscal year 2000 and
2003. Units at Fort Hood will
be among the first to receive
each module after the
completion of its respective
operational test.
23. The Integrated
Meteorological System (IMETS)
is a mobile, tactical automated
weather data receiving,
processing, and dissemination
system. The Army acquires the
units and uses the data, but
the systems are actually
staffed with Air Force
personnel; the Air Force
develops global weather data
from Offut Air Force Base, 1.8 7.0 1.9 2.5
Nebraska. IMETS with Army
Battle Command System (ABCS)
software version 4.3 is being
fielded throughout the Army.
The goal of the "Category 2
IMETS" is to integrate IMETS
with ABCS version 6.0. The
first operational assessment of
"IMETS/ABCS 6.0" will be at the
Division Capstone Exercise
scheduled for April 2001.
24. The Raptor Intelligent
Combat Outpost (ICO) is a suite
of munitions, sensors,
communication systems, and
software that enable the
commander to protect the
battlespace. It is envisioned
that it will consist of four
components: air deliverable
acoustic sensors, an artificial
intelligence platform (the
gateway), a ground control
station, and an attack
munition. Raptor is scheduled 12.8 0 11.4 0
to be developed in two phases:
Phase One Core Raptor, will be
capable of completing the user
threshold requirements and
Phase Two, Ultimate Raptor,
will fulfill the user's
objective requirements. Raptor
is currently in the concept
exploration phase of the
acquisition cycle. The first
unit is scheduled to be
equipped for Core Raptor in
fiscal year 2007.
25. The overall intent of the
Joint Tactical Radio System
(JTRS) initiative is to develop
a family of affordable,
high-capacity tactical radios
to provide both line-of-sight
and beyond line-of-sight
communications capabilities to
the warfighters. JTRS is
described as the DOD radio of
the future and has the goal of
migrating today's legacy
systems to systems compliant
with the JTRS architecture.
Recently, the JTRS joint
program office issued a broad
agency announcement to acquire
prototype radios designed to
provide a secure data
networking capability between 90.7 0 159.3 0
mobile users, such as tactical
operations centers, for the
dissemination of data from
command and control systems
operating throughout all
echelons and major subordinate
units from division to
battalion levels. A selection
of one or more industry designs
for the prototype radios was
expected by the end of February
2000. The production radios
will be used by the first
digitized corps to achieve a
Near-Term Data Radio (NTDR)
equivalent capability. NTDRs
are being fielded to the first
digitized division only.
26. The Joint Warning and
Reporting Network (JWARN)
integrates nuclear, biological,
and chemical (NBC) warning,
reporting, analysis, and
response software with NBC
sensors to minimize the effects
of hostile NBC attacks or
accidents/incidents. The Marine
Corps is the lead service for
the joint program. JWARN will
be fielded in phases, with
phase I scheduled for the 7.3 9.0 7.3 11.7
fourth quarter of fiscal year
2000. Phase I involves
integration with the Maneuver
Control System and the ABCS
software. All JWARN schedule
dates depend on the release of
ABCS version 6.1. Phase II is
scheduled for fielding in
fiscal year 2003. It is not
clear which fielding is the
objective fielding for the
first digitized corps.
27. The Land Warrior System is
intended to significantly
improve the lethality,
mobility, survivability,
command and control, and
sustainability of infantry
soldiers by integrating a
variety of components and
technologies. Land Warrior
includes a computer/radio,
software, integrated headgear, 60.1 0 36.4 0
including an imaging display,
weapon subsystem, and
protective clothing and
equipment to be integrated on
the individual soldier. The
development program was
recently restructured, and Land
Warrior production is not
scheduled to begin until fiscal
year 2004, at the earliest.
28. Linebacker is a Bradley
derivative system that
contributes to the forward area
air defense mission for heavy
forces by being able to fire
Stinger missiles and a 25-mm
automatic cannon at fixed and 0 0 0 0
rotary wing targets. Production
of the 99 Linebackers has
ended, and fielding to heavy
forces, III Corps units and 3rd
Infantry Division is
essentially complete.
29. The Lightweight Laser
Designator Rangefinder (LLDR)
is a man-portable laser
designator and target locator
with eye-safe range finding,
azimuth determination,
self-location, and data/image
export capability. It can
locate targets in day or night
with all-weather capability.
According to the Army, LLDR
meets an urgent need for
precision target location and
engagement for the artillery
fire support teams. The LLDR
program received Warfighter
Rapid Acquisition Program 0 7.1 0.9 7.0
funding in fiscal years 1997
and 1998 to achieve an initial
operational capability and for
integration into the Striker in
a vehicle-mounted
configuration. LLDR will also
serve as the sensor and digital
data source for the Marine
Corps fire support teams. It is
a Joint Army/Marine Corps
effort. The Army has a
requirement of 1,184 systems
and the Marine Corps of 394
systems. An operational test is
scheduled for November/December
2000.
30. The Long Range Advanced
Scout Surveillance System
(LRAS3) will provide armor and
mechanized infantry battalion
scout platoons with long-range
target acquisition and
far-target location
capabilities, enabling them to
conduct reconnaissance and
surveillance missions beyond
the effective range of enemy
direct fire weapons. It will
operate line-of-sight and
provide real-time acquisition,
target detection, recognition,
and location information to the
operator, in "around the clock"
combat operations in both
mounted and man-portable 1.5 46.2 0.8 44.4
configurations. Operational
testing found the system to be
both "not effective" and "not
suitable" due to intermittent
loss of far target location
capability. A limited user test
is scheduled for the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2000 to
verify improvements since the
initial operational test and
evaluation. The follow-on
operational testing and
evaluation and the first unit
equipped are scheduled for the
third and the fourth quarters,
respectively, of fiscal year
2001.
31. The start of the M1A2
Abrams tank with system
enhancements follow-on
operational test and evaluation
(FOT&E) has been delayed about
18 months (April 1999 to
October 2000), mainly because
of the inability to integrate
the Force XXI Battle Command,
Brigade and Below (FBCB2)
Embedded Battle Command (EBC)
software into the platform. The
EBC effort has been replaced by
the Integrated Combat Command 82.7 549.0 90.6 638.9
and Control (IC3) initiative
that will have the FBCB2
software hosted on a separate
processor (an Intel card), but
share the same display and
input device. Four System
Enhancement Program (SEP) tanks
will participate in the FOT&E;
90 SEP tanks will participate
in the Division Capstone
Exercise, scheduled for April
2001.
32. The start of the M2/M3A3
Bradley Fighting Vehicle's (M2
is the Infantry vehicle, M3 is
the Cavalry vehicle) initial
operational test and evaluation
has been delayed about
18 months (April 1999 to
October 2000), mainly because
of the inability to integrate
the FBCB2 EBC software into the
platform. The EBC effort has
been replaced by the Abrams-led0 388.8 0 389.3
Integrated Combat Command and
Control (IC3) initiative that
will have the FBCB2 software
hosted on a separate processor
(an Intel card), but share the
same display and input device.
However, FBCB2 Appliques will
be used during the initial
operational test and evaluation
and the Division Capstone
Exercise.
33. The M93A1 Fox is a Nuclear,
Biological, and Chemical
Reconnaissance System (NBCRS)
enclosed within a wheeled,
lightly armored vehicle. The
vehicle finds, identifies,
maps, and marks NBC
contamination on the
battlefield. The system
completed operational testing
in October 1998; 0 31.6 0 6.3
interoperability with the
Maneuver Control System was
included in the operational
testing. Fielding to Fort Hood
units (20 systems) was
completed in June 1999;
however, an additional eight
units are scheduled to be
fielded to III Corps in
December 2002.
34. Smart Cards is part of the
Automated Identification
Technology (AIT) to provide
state-of-the-art technologies
that offer rapid and accurate
data capture retrieval and
transmission. The technology
includes various radio
frequency barcode-scanning
devices and various data
carrier devices with associated
readers and writers. The data
carrier devices include
integrated circuit chip cards
(smart card) in the size and
shape of an ID card, which 0 1.8 0 0
allows for the ease of storage
for documents and data, and
facilitates security as well.
It can be used for, among
others, personnel and finance
records, electronic cash,
deployability/wellness etc. The
card is now being tested in the
25th Infantry Division for food
service, immunization, dental
fitness, etc. (Note: The
indicated funding amount is for
AIT and not exclusively for
Smart Cards.)
35. The Medical Communications
for Combat Casualty Care (MC4)
is intended to provide the Army
an information technology
infrastructure to support the
tactical medical mission
interface with the Joint
Theater Medical Information
Program (TMIP) software. The 3.2 2.5 2.2 2.9
progress of the MC4 system is
dependent upon the TMIP
software; TMIP is an
acquisition category ID
program. TMIP has an initial
operational test and evaluation
scheduled for the first quarter
of fiscal year 2001.
36. The Mortar Fire Control
System (MFCS) integrates
mortars into the fire support
architecture and provides full
field artillery tactical data
system compatibility. It
consists of a fire direction
center and three subsystems 5.1 7.4 5.7 30.0
(position navigation, fire
control, and situational
awareness) mounted on mobile
platforms. MFCS is scheduled to
complete fielding to the III
Corps in 2004.
37. The Division Tactical
Exploitation System (DTES) is a
replacement for the Mobile
Integrated Tactical Terminal
(MITT). DTES is a division
asset that is required to
process, exploit, and
disseminate information from a
combination of national,
theater, and tactical
intelligence assets. DTES will
feed data to the Army's All
Source Analysis System at
division levels. The Army only
requires 10 DTESs and the 4th
Infantry Division and 1st
Cavalry Division are scheduled 12.9 12.9 29.9 22.2
to receive their units in
fiscal year 2003. The 3rd
Armored Cavalry Regiment will
receive a Tactical Exploitation
System-Light (TES-Light), which
is a replacement for the
Forward Area Support Terminal
(FAST); the TES-Light is
scheduled for fielding to the
3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in
fiscal year 2004. DTES has
operational testing scheduled
to begin in fiscal year 2002,
and the TES-Light is scheduled
to begin operational testing in
fiscal year 2003.
38. The Multiple Launch Rocket
System (MLRS) provides a high
volume of firepower in a very
short time frame. MLRS consists
of a self-loading launcher with
an onboard fire control system.
The launcher is mounted on a
derivative of the Bradley
Fighting Vehicle, that carries
12 rockets or 2 Army Tactical
Missile System (ATACMS)
missiles, which can be fired
individually or simultaneously.
Rockets have a range beyond 30
kilometers, and the ATACMS
Block IA missile can reach
beyond 300 kilometers. The MLRS
M270 launcher is the standard
U.S. Army platform for firing 59.5 228.4 49.4 28.2
surface to surface artillery
rockets and missiles. The
Product Improvement Program
includes two major upgrades to
the current M270
launcher-Improved Fire Control
System and Improved Launcher
Mechanical System. It also
includes Guided MLRS Rocket,
High Mobility Artillery Rocket
System, and MLRS Smart Tactical
Rocket (MSTAR). MSTAR was
terminated by PBD 745. The
initial operational test and
evaluation is scheduled for
May-June 2001 and the full-rate
production decision in
September 2001.
39. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is
a two-seat, single engine armed
reconnaissance helicopter,
which is a highly modified
version of the OH-58A/C Kiowa.
The primary mission of the
Kiowa Warrior is armed
reconnaissance in air cavalry
troops and light attack
companies. The aircraft
operates autonomously providing
armed reconnaissance, command
and control, and target
acquisition/designation for
Apache helicopters and other
airborne weapons platforms. The
Safety Enhancement Program 0 46.9 0 45.1
(SEP) was initiated in fiscal
year 1996 to incorporate R3
engines, crashworthy crew
seats, supplemental restraint
system, digitization, and
improved weapons interface. The
Army plans to upgrade 385
aircraft under the SEP
configuration. Aircraft fielded
with the III Corps have limited
digital capability. This will
be upgraded in a two-phase
effort to provide full aviation
messaging capability for the
first digitized corps by 2004.
40. The M109A6 Paladin is a
155-mm self-propelled howitzer.
It has been approved for
full-scale production and is
designed to upgrade the
M109A2/A3. The Paladin
digitization initiative will
integrate an FBCB2 capability
into the platform. While there 2.5 2.7 2.6 5.2
is no formal operational test
of the FBCB2 enhancement,
Paladin is scheduled to
participate in the April 2001
DCX and the November 2001 FBCB2
initial operational test and
evaluation.
41. The objective of the
Personal Communications System
(PCS) program is to develop
commercially available wireless
cellular telephone technology
for secure mobile satellite
services and terrestrial
applications. The Warfighters
Information
Network--Terrestrial
(WIN-T)operational requirements
document requires PCS to 2.4 0 0 0
provide selected users with a
wireless hand-held device that
interfaces with the WIN-T
network and the Global
Information Grid over
terrestrial, airborne, and
military and commercial
satellite links in order to
exchange multimedia information
between users.
42. The Palletized Load System
is capable of loading and
unloading itself and a
companion trailer in 5 minutes,
which allows flexible mission
assignment and operation under
adverse conditions. The
Palletized Load
System-Enhanced-Driver Viewer
Enhancer (PLS-E-DVE) is an
infrared imaging device that
operates in the micrometer wave
bands and that is passive, 0 1.9 0 1.9
lightweight, and vehicle
powered. The thermal viewing
system increases vehicle
mobility under very poor
driving conditions and provides
situational awareness, target
and ambush detection, and
vehicle tracking. The DVE
funding program on this
platform for fiscal year 2005
was eliminated by PBD 745.
43. The Palletized Load
System-Enhanced-Movement
Tracking System (PLS-E-MTS) can
identify position, track
progress, and communicate with
the operators of tactical
wheeled vehicles. It has global
positioning system capability,
can send base-to-mobile and 0 6.4 0 16.4
mobile-to-base messages, and
can locate/track an asset's
position using personal
computer-based software. The
system is scheduled to be
fielded to most III Corps units
in fiscal year 2001.
44. The RAH-66 Comanche is an
advanced light attack/armed
reconnaissance helicopter
currently being developed. The
Comanche features a five-bladed
bearingless main rotor; a
shrouded tail rotor; and a
composite fuselage having low
radar cross-section,
retractable weapons pylons, and
a fly-by-wire flight control
system. The Comanche is
intended to replace the current
fleet of AH-1 and OH-58
helicopters in all air cavalry 562.7 0 725.7 0
troops and light division
attack helicopter battalions,
and to supplement the AH-64
Apache in heavy division/corps
attack helicopter battalions.
The engineering and
manufacturing development
milestone decision was
scheduled for April 2000. III
Corps fielding is scheduled to
begin with eight aircraft in
July 2005 for initial
operational test and
evaluation.
45. Radio Frequency
Tags/Automation Information
Technology (RF Tags/AIT)
provides asset
visibility/in-transit
capability to units and
managers. The tags are an
assemblage of commercial
off-the-shelf equipment that
store embedded data of
container contents, shipments,
and vehicle identification. The0 20.7 0 23.9
tags are fixed to containers to
track material through the
distribution system. Formal
operational testing will not be
conducted on RF Tags but will
be part of the overall initial
operational test and evaluation
of the Global Combat Support
System- Army (GCSS-A), which is
scheduled to start in November
2000.
46. The Sentinel system
consists of an X-band radar
with its prime mover/power
HMMWV that supports protection
of maneuver forces and critical
assets from cruise missile,
unmanned aerial vehicles, and
rotary wing and fixed wing
aircraft threats. It prevents
fratricide and is capable of 8.4 25.5 3.6 31.7
operating day or night in all
weather conditions. It provides
alerting/cueing of short-range
air defense weapons. The
Sentinel fielding to the first
digitized division and the
first digitized corps is
complete.
47. The Standard
Installation/Division Personnel
System 3 (SIDPERS3) supports
field commanders in peace,
contingencies, and war with
accurate military personnel
information for decision-making
and management of personnel
assets. The SIDPERS3 replaces
the current 1972 system with a 9.2 6.9 6.2 4.9
modern database management
system and provides increased
functionality and personnel
asset visibility. The system is
scheduled to be fully fielded
to the Army by October 2000;
fielding to Fort Hood units is
scheduled for June 2000.
48. The M707 Striker provides
combat observation lasing teams
(COLT) with enhanced
surveillance, reconnaissance,
target location, and target
designation. Essentially,
Striker is the functional
equivalent of the BFIST system
mounted on a HMMWV. An initial
operational test and evaluation
of Striker is to be combined
with the M7 BFIST initial
operational test and
evaluation; however, the
initial operational test and 0 19.1 0 21.4
evaluation is unfunded. The
initial operational test and
evaluation may have to be
delayed. Strikers are scheduled
to be fielded to the 1st
Cavalry Division and the 3rd
Armored Cavalry Regiment by the
end of 2004, but the 4th
Infantry Division is not
scheduled to receive its
Strikers until 2005. The
initial fielding of the Striker
will be to the 3rd Infantry
Division at Fort Stewart.
49. The Tactical Airspace
Integration System (TAIS) will
provide battle commanders in
echelons above corps, corps,
and divisions with automated
Army Airspace Command and
Control and improved air
traffic services. TAIS uses
Army Common Hardware and
Software and also commercial
off-the-shelf hardware and
software. It is intended to 0 20.7 0 19.2
employ a Defense Information
Infrastructure-compliant
modular software design to be
interoperable with the Army
Battle Command System. TAIS
will be delivered to the 1st
Cavalry Division by September
2000. Initial operational test
and evaluation is scheduled for
June 2001.
50. The Transportation
Coordinator's Automated
Information for Movement System
II (TC AIMS II) is a joint
service migration system that
is intended to provide an
integrated set of
transportation applications to
facilitate movements management
of personnel, equipment, and
supplies from home station to 8.1 10.4 9.9 25.4
the conflict and back.
Operational testing is
scheduled for the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2000,
and some additional operational
testing will be required as
incremental development
packages (software) are
developed.
51. The Tactical Interactive
Ground Equipment (TIGER) was a
combat service support concept
to collect platform logistics
data (e.g., fuel, oil,
ammunition). The concept did 0 0 0 0
not mature beyond the planning
phase because of concerns about
the amount of bandwidth needed
for continuous real-time
updates.
52. Army Tactical Operations
Centers (TOCs) are the
automated command posts
throughout the battle space
where commanders and their
staffs prepare, monitor, and
alter the execution of battle
plans. The Army Battle Command
Systems that provide the
command and control framework
for the digitized battlefield
are located within TOCs. A
standard/common TOC operational
architecture tailored to each
individual echelon of command
and mission area is being
developed to assure
interoperability and
commonality. TOCs consist of
Standard Integrated Command
Post Systems either mounted on
vehicles or fielded as 6.0 17.3 7.9 29.3
free-standing tents. While TOCs
do not have a formal initial
operational test and
evaluation, they will be
evaluated in other digitization
system tests, such as the
FBCB2, Maneuver Control System,
and during the Division
Capstone Exercise. Fielding to
the 4th Infantry Division --27
TOCs --is expected to be
completed by the end of 2000.
Fielding to the first digitized
corps is scheduled to be
completed by September 2004. A
TOC used to support an aviation
brigade is known as an Aviation
TOC (AVTOC). (Note: funding
amounts include AVTOC, see item
8, and Wireless LAN, see item
55.)
53. Trojan Spirit II provides
tactical commanders critical
intelligence connectivity via
voice, data, video, and
facsimile at all security
levels. The system uses
satellite communications to
provide tactically deployed
military intelligence units
with a worldwide, quick
reaction reporting and tasking
capability. The fielding of the
38 Army Trojan Spirit IIs began
in 1993, with a 10-year life
cycle design. Army Training and
Doctrine Command planned to
have the Trojan Spirit II
functions migrate to the Area 0 4.9 0 4.9
Common User System, managed by
the program manager for WIN-T.
Although the WIN-T operational
requirements document provides
WIN-Intelligence Gateway
equipment, it is unclear
whether WIN will be able to
provide the Trojan Spirit II
capability before Trojan Spirit
II equipment will become
obsolete and unsupportable.
There is currently a $6.375
million unfunded requirement
for Trojan Spirit II
recapitalization to replace the
equipment that will become
obsolete and unsupportable.
54. The Tactical Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) is a
brigade commander's system. As
the commander's primary
day/night, reconnaissance,
surveillance, and target
acquisition system, it allows
the commander to "see and
understand" the battle space
and ultimately contributes to
the commander's dominant 29.4 37.8 11.9 44.7
situational awareness. A TUAV
system consists of four basic
components: the Ground Control
Station and related equipment,
Air Vehicle, Modular Mission
Payloads, and communications.
An initial operational test and
evaluation is scheduled for the
third quarter of fiscal year
2001.
55. Through the wireless Local
Area Network (LAN) program, the
Army is working to deliver two
wireless TOCs to the first
digitized division in June 2000
for a proof of principle
experiment. The program manager
for WIN-T will provide training
and logistical support for 2 0 0 0 0
years. Army officials stated
that a wireless LAN capability
will not be ready for fielding
to the first digitized division
or first digitized corps.
(Note: funding for wireless LAN
is included in TOCS, see item
52.)
56. The Wolverine Heavy Assault
Bridge was developed to provide
an improved and modernized
gap-crossing capability for 0 0 0 0
heavy maneuver forces. The
program has been canceled
through PBD 745.
Total of funding estimates $1,573.9 $2,397.1 $1,911.7 $2,460.8
Comments From the Department of Defense
(707451)
Table 1: The Army's Near-Term Digitization Milestones 6
Table 2: Category 2 Systems, by Availability 8
Table 3: Fielding Status of Category 2 Systems That Should Be Ready by 2004
9
Table 4: Acquisition Status of Category 2 Systems That May Not Be Available
by 2004 11
Table 5: Category 2 Systems With Scheduled Operational Tests 12
Table 6: Category 2 Systems Not Available by 2004 15
1. Tempo of operations generally refers to a commander's ability to conduct
operations at a time and place of the commander's choosing.
2. An Army division generally consists of 12,000 to 18,000 soldiers; there
are 10 divisions within the active Army. An Army corps comprises two or more
divisions; there are four corps within the active Army.
3. Tactical operations centers generally refer to fixed and relocatable
command posts where commanders and their staffs prepare, monitor, and alter
the execution of battle plans.
4. See Battlefield Automation: Performance Uncertainties Are Likely When
Army Fields Its First Digitized Division (GAO/NSIAD-99-150 , July 27, 1999).
5. The five Category 1 systems are the All Source Analysis System, Advanced
Field Artillery Tactical Data System, Combat Service Support Control System,
Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control System, and Maneuver Control
System.
6. A program budget decision is the budgeting mechanism used by the Office
of the Secretary of Defense to adjust the budget submissions from the
services.
*** End of document. ***
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
