Military

Future Tactical Truck Systems (FTTS)

The existing tactical wheeled vehicle fleet could not sustain the planned Objective Force due to an outdated architecture that required multiple variants and models, an increasingly cumbersome logistics footprint, poor C-130 deployability, poor fuel economy, an inability to maintain the OPTEMPO of its pacing system, the Future Combat System (FCS), and mobility limitations which would not enable true seamless, just in time support. To provide this capability, the Future Tactical Truck System (FTTS) was placed in development. The FTTS was also the planned the Objective Force sustainment vehicle system and was the optimal solution to address numerous shortfalls exhibited by the existing vehicle fleet when assessed against required Objective Force support.

The Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TACOM) was developing the FTTS to streamline deliveries to deployed troops. The FTTS initially consisted of two versions: FTTS-Maneuver Sustainment (FTTS-MSV), and FTTS-Utility (FTTS-UV). The FTTS-MSV was intended to replace the LMTV, MTV, HEMTT, and PLS trucks, with R&D funding starting in FY04. The FTTS-UV would replace the HMMWV family of vehicles.

The FTTS was one of the Chief of Transportation's top three priorities and was expected to enhance sustainability and reliability by means of onboard diagnostics and prognostics and achieve mobility matching that of the FCS through advanced suspension and propulsion systems. In addition, the FTTS would provide unparalleled deployability through the ability to be loaded aboard the C-130 cargo, and load/offload the C-130 without ancillary material handling equipment through the use of an integrated smart load handling system. Crew survivability would be greatly increased using subsystems that would provide an integrated mine/ballistic protection, NBC and ambush protection, and enhanced situational awareness as well as allowing network centric operations with the rest of the battlefield.

Technologies such as on-board power generation, which reduce supplemental generator requirements, and increased fuel economy, would enable the FTTS to be a crucial logistics footprint reducer for the planned Objective Force. The focus of the System Development and Demonstration phase was to complete the FTTS architecture design and thus allow for the seamless integration of high-payback technologies into a capable, affordable package.

The FTTS-MSV was intended to provide transportation and distribution of cargo, equipment and personnel. This vehicle also would require fewer maintenance tools and features special software and sensors that would greatly enhance system reliability. In fact, this vehicle system would require 53 fewer vehicles and 43 fewer mechanics than current vehicles, such as the HMMWV. The system would enable 100 percent communications support, thus increasing supply delivery accuracy and eliminating unnecessary re-supply activities. The FTTS-MSV concept also incorporated TACOM's intelligent load handling systems, which were being developed as part of the Smart Distribution program.

The future vehicle concept would provide increased fuel efficiency with extended supply ranges of 600 to 900 miles. A major goal for the FTTS was to extend average operational range from the existing 300 miles to 600 miles per vehicle, with no increase in fuel payload. The reasoning behind the goal was clear when it was realised that 70 per cent of the existing logistic burden on a battlefield at the time was fuel, and that fuel delivery itself could cost between $30 (by Hemtt tanker) and $400 (by CH-47, as in Afghanistan) per gallon.

A comprehensive analysis revealed that no single existing vehicle system could or would be able to solve all of these requirements. Without the FTTS, the FCS would have to rely upon the existing fleet with all of its overwhelming shortcomings for its support.

Prior to FY04, funding supported development of a Block Modification on the Movement Tracking System (MTS). The Block Modification would increase the performance and functionality of the MTS through multiple interface developments. The project supported the Legacy-to-Objective transition path of the Transformation Campaign Plan (TCP).

FTTS trailed the FCS by 2 years, as FCS was the pacing system and drove FTTS support requirements. This enabled FTTS to achieve commonality with the FCS and reduce RDT&E expenses by leveraging the FCS Concept/System Development and Demonstration (SDD) effort. The initial stages of the FTTS RDT&E effort relied almost entirely on modeling and simulation in order to reduce program risk and development costs. This data was used to support the competitive award for the prototype development phase of the SDD efforts. Award of a production contract was expected to follow successful completion of SDD prototype testing and evaluation.

The FTTS Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) program objective was to assess key technologies and emerging Future Army (FA) Sustainment Concepts in developing the requirements of an optimized distribution platform, as well as the command and control platform for the Unit of Action.

The requirements addressed all variants with an emphasis on the Maneuver Sustainment Vehicle (MSV) Distribution and Utility Vehicle (UV) Support variants with companion trailers. The initial work is Modeling and Simulation (M&S) primarily focused on the MSV Distribution and UV Support variants and companion trailers (but including limited consideration of the other variants) and was expected to result in a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and a Critical Design Review (CDR). Following CDR, the work would include additional M&S (including detailed M&S of the other variants), building seven (7) MSV Distribution and ten (10) UV Support variants (with seven (7) MSV companion trailers and two (2) UV companion trailers) for conduct of a Military Utility Assessment (MUA). Contractor support to the MUA and follow on support for residual usage was also required. The Army planned to award multiple contracts for the work through CDR. Following the CDR the Army planned to down select to one or more contractors to complete the balance of the work.