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08-16 Weapon Systems Modernization
The Army is transforming into a force more capable of strategic dominance across the entire spectrum of operations while conducting a Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). Transformation and modularity will provide the nation with an Army that is more responsive, deployable, agile, versatile, lethal, survivable, and sustainable. The cornerstone of the Future Force is the Future Combat Systems (FCS), a “system of systems” working together to increase battlefield mobility and lethality. The transformation of today’s Army into the Future Force presents a formidable challenge requiring sustained funding support from Congress.
Recapitalization, a critical element in our modernization effort, extends the life of the existing fleet and reduces the risk of technological obsolescence. This is necessary to preserve the essential capabilities required to support The Army Plan.
The Army’s traditional acquisition process will not adequately support an Army at War. We must reach forward to the Future Force and “spin out” to the Current Force future technologies as they become available. At the same time, the Army is using lessons learned from recent engagements to redesign the structure of its Current Force in order to create appropriately-sized units with modular capability. These units will be highly lethal and agile, sustainable and available for worldwide deployment. Without an infusion of additional resources, current readiness, and future modernization are at risk due to continued and increasing demands of Operational Tempo (OPTEMPO), contingency operations, and war fighting. Based on restructuring, the Army still needs at least $25 billion annually through the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) years through FY2013 in Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA) funding.
It is imperative that Congress fund the Army's pursuit of the following three initiatives: recapitalization of the Current Force to reduce near-term risk; fielding of the 7th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) with the enhanced capability to allow the Army flexibility in response to current threats; and acceleration of FCS to support fielding the Future Force.
When the Army terminated the Comanche in 2004, the administration, DoD, and Congress agreed that the resources saved in the period 2004-2011 would be reinvested into Army Aviation to fix the force. This has allowed the Army to keep its Aviation Force on both the modernization and transformation paths. It is imperative that we continue to provide the Army sufficient funding to continue this modernization program.
- Army Aviation assets support and complement every facet of military operations. Attack and Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters conduct rear, close, deep operations, and precision strikes in day, night, and adverse weather conditions. Increased precision and increased lethality munitions are critical to that mission accomplishment. The OH-58D Kiowa Warrior is indispensable as the “eyes and ears” of the ground Commander until the new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) is fielded.
The Black Hawk (UH-60) remains the mainstay of the Army’s utility helicopter fleet. The UH-60A has exceeded its programmed service life of 20 years. The UH-60M recapitalization program, the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), and the accelerated procurement of UH-60s for the Reserve Component (RC) require the Army to sustain a viable Utility Helicopter fleet out to 2025.
The Longbow program will provide the AH-64D Apache helicopter with air-to-ground radar capability for use day or night, in adverse weather and obscure battlefield conditions. The Longbow modernization program requires 634 Block I and II Longbow Apaches to Block III network-centric (Improved Data Modem) aircraft for the Current and Future Force.
The CH-47 Chinook/Improved Cargo Helicopter (CH-47F) will provide the Future Force's intra-theater heavy lift capability. The CH-47F program will remanufacture all existing CH-47D aircraft and procure new build aircraft with upgraded cockpits and new airframe structural components to meet the emerging Army Transformation requirement. A separate engine upgrade program along with improved rotor blades will provide enhanced lift capability and fuel efficiency. The CH-47D fleet must be maintained until replaced by the CH-47F. Other improvements include Condition Based Maintenance system/Digital Source Collector and Health and Usage Monitoring System (DCS/HUMS), and Aircraft Wireless Intercom System.
The Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) Program is critical to intra-theater supply and logistical operations. Acceleration of the JCA Program will provide modernization of the current fixed wing fleet and relieve OPTEMPO stress on heavy lift rotary wing aircraft.
- The Advance Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) will provide increased accuracy and stowed kills while reducing the potential for collateral damage utilizing Semi-Active Laser (SAL) Lock On After Launch (LOAL). It will allow both the Aviation Commander and the Ground Commander to maximize the combat capability of their Aviation assets. The APKWS will be used by the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps as well as Allied, NATO and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers
The Army’s Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) program is critical to Current and Future Force operations. Unmanned aerial systems clearly demonstrate their vital importance to the battlefield commander’s ability to conduct decisive operations. Current operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world continue to highlight the need for these invaluable assets.
The Army's Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) Program is designed to replace the current fleet of medium weight trucks. The 2.5-ton and the 5-ton truck fleets are older than their drivers and need to be replaced in order to enhance capability and reduce operating costs. Within the past few years, the service life has been dramatically diminished by on-going combat operations. The Reserve Components are short 14,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Additionally, there is a critical need for increasing the procurement levels of the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles in support of Combat, Combat Service, and Combat Service Support units within the Army National Guard.
The Abrams tank provides the Joint Force Commander with mobile protected firepower, closing with and destroying enemy forces on an integrated battlefield using mobility, firepower, and shock effect. The 120mm main gun and special armor make the Abrams tank particularly suitable for attacking or defending against large concentrations of heavy armor forces and in urban combat operations. Currently, there are two upgrade programs ongoing within the Abrams fleet. The first is the M1A1 Abrams Integrated Management (AIM) program which restores and upgrades existing M1A1s to a like-new condition. The M1A1 AIM improvements including a Revised Hull and Turret Network Boxes (RH&TNB), a Digital Electronics Control Unit (DECU), a Driver’s Hatch Interlock (DHI) sensor system, an Upgraded Tank Commander’s Panel (UTCP), an Eyesafe Laser Rangefinder (ELRF), Embedded Diagnostics (ED), a Pulse Jet Air System (PJS), a Battlefield Override System, and improved survivability. The second is the Abrams M1A2 System Enhancement Program (SEP) program which provides improvements in lethality and survivability over the M1A1 and includes 2nd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors, Hunter/Killer capability via the Commander Independent Thermal Viewer (CITV), digital command and control, Thermal Management System (TMS), Improved Commander’s Weapons Station, Position Navigation equipment with digital enhancements (embedded Future Battle Command Bde and Below) (FBCB2), and numerous other survivability and lethality improvements. The Total InteGrated Revitalization Engine (TIGER) started in FY2006, adds a single configuration AGT1500 engine for the Abrams Tank fleet.
Similar upgrades enhance the combat effectiveness of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (M2/M3A3) through the inclusion of two 2nd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) devices (one for the gunner, one for the commander), upgraded core electronics, improved ballistic fire control, situational awareness, enhanced fire control system, and a collective Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) protection system. Updated FBCB2 is critical to maintaining a seamless digital interoperability within the Current Force.
Javelin provides a man-portable, highly lethal and survivable medium anti-tank weapon system. It is the first "fire-and-forget" shoulder-fired anti-tank missile with dual modes of attack, both top and direct, capability.
The HELLFIRE family of air-to-ground munitions consists of Laser and Longbow HELLFIRE. Laser HELLFIRE provides a precision-point targeting, heavy anti-armor capability for several air platforms including the AH-64 A & D Apache, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), MH-60 Direct Action Penetrator (DAP), and AH-6 Little Bird helicopters. Longbow HELLFIRE provides an adverse weather, fire-and-forget, heavy anti-armor capability for the Army’s AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopter.
The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a C-130 transportable, wheeled, indirect fire, rocket/missile launcher capable of firing all rockets and missiles in the current and future Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Family of Munitions (AFOM). The approved Army Acquisition Objective is 888.
The Warfighter Information Network - Tactical (WIN-T) is a mission-critical system and an integrating network that will provide reliable, secure, and seamless video data, imagery, and voice services that enable decisive combat actions. WIN-T is integral and necessary to the success of the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS), as both a core and complementary system supporting the robust, efficient and responsive movement of information throughout the battlespace.
The Army Battle Command System (ABCS) is the overarching command and control system providing the framework for a truly interoperable digitized battlespace. The ABCS extends from the Army Component of the Joint/Strategic Global Command and Control System (GCCS-A), through the Army Tactical Command and Control Systems (ATCCS), and culminates in near-real-time information exchange over the tactical internet among combat systems equipped with Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2). The Standardized Integrated Command Post Systems and Tactical Operations Centers (TOC) provide the core of our command and control architecture. These two programs are integral in facilitating AEA. Headquarters at all levels will plan, rehearse and execute missions using these high-priority systems.
WE THEREFORE RESOLVE to urge the Administration and Congress to:
- Accelerate funding for high-pay-off weapon systems that support the Army’s modernization requirements for Current and Future Forces. These systems include:
- Future Combat Systems (FCS) acceleration
- Army Aviation Reset Program
- Current systems recapitalization
- Armor Force Protection Program
- Stryker Brigade Combat Teams (SBCTs)
- Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS)
- OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
- Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, ARH-70A
- UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter Modernization Program to include the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP)
- AH-64D Longbow Apache Block III Modernization Program
- CH-47F Chinook Improved Cargo Helicopter remanufacture, procurement, and engine upgrade program
- Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA) Program
- Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV)
- Advanced Indirect Fires technologies for FCS (NLOS-C)
- Family of Heavy and Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV), High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) for RC
- Abrams tank upgrade program
- Bradley Fighting Vehicle upgrade program
- Javelin Anti-tank missile system
- Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) upgrade program including Guided MLRS (GMLRS)
- High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)
- Combat Engineer Systems
- Fund Command and Control Critical Information Systems to include the following:
- Army Battle Command System (ABCS) to include: Global Command and Control System-Army (GCCS-A), Battle Command Brigade & Below (FBCB2), Army Tactical Command and Control Systems (ATCCS), Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS), Air and Missile Defense Workstation (AMDWS), All-Source Analysis System (ASAS), Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BSC3) and in addition, maintain the vitality of current Standard Army Management Information Systems (STAMIS)
- Tactical Internet
- Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)
- Integrated Systems Control (ISYSCON)
- Defense Message System (DMS)
- Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T)
- Maneuver Control System (MCS)
- Army Airborne Command and Control System (A2C2S)
- All Source Analysis System (ASAS)
- Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (WIN-T)
- Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3)
- Area Common User System Modernization (ACUS MOD)
- Air and Missile Defense Planning and Control System (AMDPCS)
- Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)
- Modernization of command and control systems for AC and RC
- Fully fund JNN/WIN-T, replacing Cold War-era Classified and Unclassified Tactical Telephone, Video Conference, and Data Communications Systems required to support battle-related high-definition intelligence products, voice, video and data down to Battalion Command Posts, to be completed not later than 2010
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