Future Combat Systems — Cornerstone of Army Modernization...Future Combat Systems (FCS) in a...

April - June 2008

Future Combat Systems — Cornerstone of Army Modernization

A_ALT_April-June 2008_V06_CC.qxp 3/27/2008 5:19 PM Page 1

With this issue, we are showcasing the Army’sFuture Combat Systems (FCS) in a series ofarticles designed to give you a better un-derstanding of just how far this program has pro-gressed since System Development and Demonstrationbegan in 2003. One may think that FCS is only aboutproviding future capabilities to our Soldiers, but ”FCS-like” capabil-ities are protecting our Soldiers and giving them a decisive advan-tage on today’s battlefield. Let me provide a few examples.

The Frag Kit 5 armor protection for up-armored High-Mobility Mul-tipurpose Wheeled Vehicles protects our troops from powerful im-provised explosive devices. This technology comes from the light-weight composite armor being developed for the FCS family ofmanned ground vehicles (MGVs). The Micro-Air Vehicle, highly ef-fective in U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operationsin Iraq and planned for use by the Army’s 25th Infantry Division inurban warfare operations there, is a forerunner to the FCS Class 1Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Packbot®, which is used by Soldiersand Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan during urban warfare and EODoperations, is the precursor to the FCS Small Unmanned GroundVehicle. And, the Excalibur artillery round that is having much suc-cess in Iraq is being adapted for use with the FCS Non-Line-of-SightCannon. These technologies, in development for the future, areproving their success in the current fight.

FCS is the materiel centerpiece of the Army’s transformation. Ourplan is to continuously upgrade and modernize our forces to putCold War formations and systems behind us. We continue to rapidlyfield the best new equipment to our forces that are fighting everyday, upgrade and modernize existing systems, incorporate newtechnologies derived from FCS research and development and,soon, will begin to field FCS. Ultimately, we are working toward anagile, globally responsive Army composed of modular units en-hanced by modern networks, surveillance sensors, precisionweapons and platforms that are lighter, less logistics-dependent andless manpower-intensive so we can operate effectively with Jointand coalition partners across the full spectrum of conflict.

The capabilities that FCS delivers will empower ourSoldiers with unparalleled situational awareness, sur-vivability and lethality. FCS sensors and robots will en-hance battlefield intelligence-gathering capabilitiesand allow Soldiers to see the battlefield as never be-fore and communicate in real time. The FCS network

will consist of layers that, when combined, will provide seamlessdelivery of both data and knowledge. This network will be embed-ded in a family of MGVs and extended to the Soldier.

MGVs are designed around a common chassis that will requirefewer spare parts and fewer mechanics to perform maintenanceand repairs. These vehicles will be powered by the military’s firsthybrid electric engine that is designed to provide a significant in-crease in onboard electric power. A lighter vehicle with the hybridelectric engine will yield remarkable fuel efficiencies. Less fuel andless manpower mean a shorter logistics tail and fewer Soldiers inharm’s way. It also represents a significant cost savings.

We have assembled a far-reaching and talented team to develop anddeliver FCS. In many ways, we are redefining weapon systems devel-opment. With more than 20 major defense industry partners, alongwith more than 600 suppliers — many small or minority-ownedbusinesses — in 41 states, FCS is truly a nationwide program.

It is this government and industry team, along with combat-experienced Soldiers of the Army Evaluation Task Force at FortBliss, TX, that will test and refine FCS systems, tactics, techniquesand procedures. In fact, the first FCS equipment set is currently inthe hands of these Soldiers. In all, the FCS program currently isundergoing roughly 70 tests, and each test is a precursor to thefielding of capabilities to our Soldiers.

That is what our work is all about — the Soldier.

From the Acting Army Acquisition Executive

Showcasing the Army Future Combat Systems

Dean G. PoppsActing Army Acquisition Executive


ARMY AL&T

1APRIL - JUNE 2008

Professional Publication of theAL&T Communityhttp://asc.army.mil/

PB 70-08-02

DEAN G. POPPSActing Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASAALT)and Army Acquisition Executive

EDITORIAL BOARDLTG WILLIAM E. MORTENSENDeputy Commanding General (CG), AMCLTG JACK C. STULTZChief, U.S. Army Reserve/CG, U.S. Army Reserve CommandLTG N. ROSS THOMPSON III Director, Army Acquisition Corps and Director,Acquisition Career ManagementLTG STEPHEN SPEAKESDeputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-8DALE A. ORMONDActing Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) forPolicy and Procurement, Office of the ASAALTWIMPY PYBUSDAS for ILS, Office of the ASAALTLTG JEFFREY A. SORENSONChief Information Officer, G-6DR. THOMAS H. KILLIONDAS for Research and Technology, Office of the ASAALTDR. JAMES R. HOUSTONDirector of R&D, U.S. Army Corps of EngineersTHOMAS E. MULLINSDAS for Plans, Programs and Resources, Office of the ASAALTMARK D. ROCKEDAS for Strategic Communications and Business Transformation, Office of the ASAALTKARL F. SCHNEIDERAssistant DCS, G-1MG GEORGE W. WEIGHTMANCG, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command CRAIG A. SPISAKDirector, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center

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Army AL&T Magazine (ISSN 0892-8657) is publishedquarterly by the ASAALT. Articles reflect views of the authorsand not necessarily official opinion of the Department of theArmy. The purpose is to instruct members of the Armyacquisition workforce relative to AL&T processes, procedures,techniques and management philosophy and to disseminateother information pertinent to their professional development.

April - June 2008

A Look at the Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) Program — An Interview With MG Charles A. Cartwright

Page 2

ACQUISITION, LOGISTICS &TECHNOLOGY

Cover Story

Features

For more news, information and articles, please visit the USAASC Web site at http://asc.army.mil. Clickon the Army AL&T Magazine tab located on the bottom of the flash banner in the center of the page.

By order of the Secretary of the Army

GEORGE W. CASEY JR.General

United States ArmyChief of Staff

Official:

JOYCE E. MORROWAdministrative Assistant to the

Secretary of the Army0807807

This medium is approved for official disseminationof material designed to keep individuals within the Army knowledgeable of current and emergingdevelopments within their areas of expertise for the purpose of enhancing their professionaldevelopment.

DepartmentsCareer Development Update... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Contracting Community Highlights .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Delivering Future Combat Systems (FCS) While at WarLTG Michael A. Vane

Page 34

Lessons Learned From Product Manager Infantry Combat VehicleUsing Soldier Evaluation in the Design Phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14MAJ Todd Cline

Engineering the Army’s Next Generation Medical Vehicle for Rapid Responses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18CPT Nicholas Song and SFC James E. Mentel

FCS Autonomous Navigation System Technology Will Revolutionize Warfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Michael W. Price and Dr. Steven Munkeby

Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment Vehicle Will Improve Soldier Mobility, Survivability and Lethality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27MAJ D. Brian Byers

Developing the Class I Unmanned Aerial System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30LTC Win Keller and David L. Jones

FCS Mounted Combat System Provides Unique Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38MAJ Cliff Calhoun

FCS Creates Cannon and Mortar Synergy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42MAJ Kirby Beard, MAJ Jeff James and MAJ Vincent J. Tolbert

Safeguarding Against Organizational Conflict of Interest on the FCS Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Sandra T. Toenjes

FCS (Brigade Combat Team) Joint Multinational Experimentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51MAJ Troy Crosby, Charlene Deakyne and Scott Schnorrenberg

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2 APRIL - JUNE 2008

ARMY AL&T

A Look at the Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) Program —

An Interview With MG Charles A. Cartwright

The Future Combat Systems (FCS) Brigade Combat Team (BCT) program is the cornerstone of the Army’s modernization effort. TheFCS(BCT) consists of a family of manned and unmanned systems,connected by a common network, that provides Soldiers and leaders with

leading-edge technologies and capabilities they can use to dominate in

asymmetric and conventional warfare and complex environments. MG

Charles A. Cartwright, FCS(BCT) Program Manager (PM), recently took the

time to provide an FCS(BCT) program update by responding to interview

questions posed by Army AL&T Magazine staff.

Soldiers from the FCS, Evaluation BCT, employ an unmanned vehicle to clear a road during an exercise and livedemonstration Feb. 1, 2007, at Oro Grande Range, Fort Bliss. (U.S. Army photo by MAJ Deanna Bague.)


AL&T: How is the FCS(BCT) pro-gram using the Army Evaluation TaskForce (AETF) at Fort Bliss, TX, andSoldiers in testing, evaluation and pro-gram development? Will this becomethe new way of doing business for allof our PMs, program executive officers(PEOs) and project/product managers?

Cartwright: This is really a new way ofdoing business, as theArmy has made acommitment to havea full brigade dedi-cated to providingfeedback on FCS de-velopmental hardware.This is an important step in bringingthe end user into the design and devel-opmental phase to ensure an end prod-uct that Soldiers can use at fielding.The AETF, a Current Force HeavyBrigade Combat Team (HBCT) that isequipped with a mix of combat andtactical vehicles in the Army inventory,

evaluates PM FCS(BCT) spin out(SO) and core technologies/capabilitiesand provides feedback to the PMFCS(BCT) and platform PMs.

The AETF assists the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command[TRADOC] in developing and refiningdoctrine, organization, training, ma-

teriel, leader develop-ment, personnel andfacility (DOTML-PF) products to sup-port the SO and theFCS(BCT) core pro-gram for the CurrentForce and theFCS(BCT). The

AETF activated in FY07 with 971 Sol-diers authorized to support SO andcore training and test requirements inFY08 and FY09. Army leadership hasapproved a modest growth of AETF tosupport future SO technologies inFY10. The Army has not made any decisions about using AETF-type units

for other PMs or PEOs, but it has de-cided to expand the AETF’s role tocover Army modernization. In this newrole, they will help test and evaluatetechnologies such as Warfighter Infor-mation Network-Tactical (WIN-T).

In the next year, the AETF will partici-pate in the following:

• Technical Field Test. An event led bythe Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) —Boeing Co. and Science ApplicationsInternational Corp. (SAIC) — togain technical data on SO 1 systems.

• Force Development Test and Evaluation. A TRADOC-led eventto develop DOTML-PF products.

• SO 1 Limited User Test. An Opera-tional Test Command event to gaindata that will support a Milestone[MS] C decision.

• Integrated Materiel Test 1. An LSI-led event to support core softwaredevelopment.

ARMY AL&T

3APRIL - JUNE 2008

The FCS(BCT) network

represents the greatest

advancement in tactical

C4ISR that the Army has

ever pursued.


In the coming years, the AETF willcontinue to support similar events forboth SO and core FCS(BCT) programtechnologies.

AL&T: What, specifically, is the AETFdoing and how will you integrate thefeedback they provide into FCSweapon platforms?

Cartwright: The AETF’s feedback willbe used to improve the full range ofDOTML-PF products. Some examplesof the products the AETF willaffect/improve are as follows:

• Man-machine interfaces.• Platform designs and software

designs/interfaces.• Interface control documents, doctri-

nal and technical manuals, unit standard operating procedures.

• Basis of issue plans and fielding plans.

• Unit designs and organizations.• System requirement documents.• Parts storage levels.• Maintenance allocation tables and

maintenance task validation.• Simulation designs and uses.• Training aid types/designs and special

tool types/designs.• Embedded training.

AL&T: What is the FCS(BCT) pro-gram’s overall status in areas such asunmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), un-manned/manned ground vehicles(UGVs/MGVs), sensors and network?

Cartwright: We have made significantstrides in hardware, software and networkdevelopment to thepoint of conductingfield demonstrations ofFCS(BCT) systemsand their capabilities.There are now morethan 68 ongoingFCS(BCT) tests andevaluations. We haveconducted numeroustraining and experi-mental activities withAETF Soldiers usingearly prototypes of ourClass I UAV, SmallUGV [SUGV], Non-Line-of-SightLaunch System [NLOS-LS] (XM 501)and Unattended Ground Sensors [UGS],both Urban [U] and Tactical [T],(AN/GSR-9 & 10). We continue withtest firings of our NLOS-Cannon[NLOS-C] (XM 1203), NLOS-Mortar(XM 1204) and Mounted Combat Sys-tem [MCS] (XM 1202), as well asdemonstrating the capabilities of the end-to-end hybrid electric drive that will be

used to maneuver these vehicles. We arein the midst of conducting our field testto support the SO program to the Cur-rent Force. These activities are a preludeto a series of design reviews, including anintensive network design review, to takeplace throughout this calendar year.These reviews will evaluate our FCS

(BCT) designs and de-termine our readinessfor proceeding intocritical design activities.We already held onesuch event for theMultifunctional Util-ity/Logistics andEquipment (MULE)(XM 1217), and weare applying those les-sons learned to subse-quent reviews that willtake place over thenext 8-12 months.

AL&T: Is the program maintainingcost, schedule and performance thathave been anticipated throughout theSystem Development and Demonstra-tion (SDD) phase?

Cartwright: The program continues toeffectively use our Earned Value Man-agement System to monitor and manageexpected cost and schedule performance.

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ARMY AL&T

Termed “Hot Buck,” the MGV Hybrid Propulsion Test Bed (shown here) at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center(TARDEC) Power and Energy Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) in Santa Clara, CA, is a one-of-a-kind virtual FCS test bed platform for full-load testing. TheHybrid Propulsion Engine improves mobility, reduces fuel consumption and enables use of future weapon technologies. (Photos courtesy of BAE Systems.)

The FCS(BCT) program

evaluates its needs through

a robust SoS requirement

process, aligns interfaces

and requirements with the

complementary

communication programs

and performs risk

management.


AL&T: What are the major challengeswith bringing such divergent systemstogether in a horizontally integratednetwork?

Cartwright: Integration, in simplestterms, is the major challenge facing anyprogram (FCS included) that goes be-yond the focus of singular platform orsubsystem development. In the contextof the FCS(BCT) program, integrationgoes beyond our ability to ensure thatthe FCS(BCT) core systems can inter-face with each other, with Current Forcesystems and with Joint, Interagency andMultinational Force systems. Integrationinvolves a shared understanding of re-sponsibilities for data transmission andutilization, and how a system-of-systems[SoS] comes together during a conflictto execute the assigned mission. TheFCS(BCT) program embraces this con-cept and uses our system engineeringprocesses and design reviews at the plat-form and network levels to clearlydemonstrate our understanding of howeach of our core systems must integrateas an FCS(BCT) member before we ap-prove critical design activities. It is thatcontext — bringing network perform-ance in as part of platform reviews andculminating in the SoS Preliminary De-sign Review — and focus that strength-ens our belief in the ability to resolvethe complex integration issues associatedwith network and SoS development.

AL&T: What is the status of the SoSnetwork development? How is it being developed?

Cartwright: The FCS(BCT) networkrepresents the greatest advancement intactical C4ISR [command, control,communications, computers, intelli-gence, surveillance and reconnaissance]that the Army has ever pursued. Thenetwork, from its initial conceptualstages, was envisioned to provide fullyintegrated, distributed information

management. The SoS network devel-opment is on track. The first incrementsof capability are currently under evalua-tion in Integrated Mission Test 1 and inthe field at Fort Bliss and White SandsMissile Range [WSMR], NM, for SO1. The FCS(BCT) network will havedemonstrated integrated battle com-mand [BC] capabilities that provide theunderpinnings for a unified BC for theArmy. The dynamic, self-healing com-munications have been synchronizedwith the Joint Tactical Radio Systems(JTRS) and WIN-T programs. TheFCS(BCT) program evaluates its needsthrough a robust SoS requirementprocess, aligns interfaces and require-ments with the complementary com-munication programs and performsrisk management.

AL&T: Why is the Army using aphased-development approach inbuilding FCS? How will it be used toincrease Soldiersurvivability, sus-tainability, ma-neuverabilityand lethality onthe modern bat-tlefield?

Cartwright:FCS(BCT)phased develop-ment serves twoprimary pur-poses: alignmentof software/hard-ware develop-ment and focusof SoS capabilitymaturation overtime. We havedeveloped a soft-ware build strat-egy based onphased capabilityto prioritize development

around key BC mission execution andnetwork requirements and have linkedthat phasing with our hardware develop-ment and demonstration schedules to es-tablish a “design, test, build” paradigm.Phased development maintains focus onthe SoS by requiring each of our individ-ual platforms/systems to demonstrate itsability to integrate with each other andwith Current Force systems as a preludeto final designs. Our management execu-tion strategy does not allow for the finaldesign approval of an individual systemwithout understanding its effectivenessas a member of the SoS.

In phased development, we use multiple means (simulation, analysis, experimentation and test) to determineSoS effectiveness against our stated keyperformance parameters (KPPs), whichinclude the capabilities mentioned in thequestion. Our use of phased develop-ment requires us to analyze continuously

ARMY AL&T

5APRIL - JUNE 2008

Soldiers participating in anFCS Experiment 1.1 mockcombat exercise use theSUGV to clear a building. Theportable, robotic vehicles canbe used for high-risk activitiessuch as surveillance inbuildings, tunnels and caves,or detecting explosivedevices, without exposingSoldiers directly to thehazards. (U.S. Army photo.)


the FCS(BCT) systems and their capa-bilities to help optimize our approachto meeting the KPPs and gives us theability to influence both platform andnetwork designs at the earliest stages ofdevelopment before such changes be-come cost-prohibitive. The force effec-tiveness models, simulations in use atthe FCS(BCT) program SoS Integra-tion Laboratory (SoSIL) and the otherSILs for Integrated Mission Tests, aswell as our participation in experimen-tation exercises, all provide the earlyfeedback on KPP performance to pro-mote continuous improvement. Wehave structured these test objectivesaround SoS effectiveness and theKPPs, so we’re confident that theseevents, the feedback they provide andthe resulting design changes we makewill all contribute to increased Soldiereffectiveness.

AL&T: FCS is developing a family ofnew MGVs. What is the MGV pro-gram’s development status?

Cartwright: TheMGV team is finaliz-ing its preliminarydesign, which will becompleted by January2009. The MGV de-sign is being devel-oped to achieve theoptimal balance of ca-pabilities to ensurethat its lethality, sur-vivability, sustainabil-ity and force effec-tiveness attributes areequal to or better than those of Cur-rent Force vehicles.

Combat vehicle design has always beena delicate balancing act of these com-

peting priorities.Striking the rightbalance betweenthese constants is al-ways a challenge. Be-cause the FCS(BCT)is a radical paradigmshift in the conceptof how we fight, thevehicle systems wedesign to meet theFCS(BCT) programrequirements willnot always be tradi-tional in their de-sign. For example,the MGV is de-signed for facing themost likely threatand incorporates aflexible system tomeet the threat thatis anticipated butnot known. This isnot another 70-tonAbrams vehicle. Wecannot count on the

thickness of our armor to protecttroops as we have in the past. We mustdevelop systems that will destroy targets

beyond-line-of-sight(BLOS) as the normand line-of-sight(LOS) as the excep-tion. Our mission isto balance lighter andfaster with improvedsurvivability. As wemature advancedarmor solutions, weare developing andplanning for upgradesand changes to ourarmor solutions asthreats change. These

capabilities, coupled with an ActiveProtection System (APS) that defeatsincoming threats, provide MGVs withgreater survivability than that found inCurrent Force systems.

AL&T: What other exciting testing isongoing for MGV variants?

Cartwright: The NLOS-C (XM 1203)System Demonstrator fired more than2,000 rounds from 2005 to 2007 andthe NLOS-C (XM 1203) Firing Plat-form has fired more than 1,600 of thescheduled 5,000 rounds since its Octo-ber 2006 delivery to Yuma ProvingGround (YPG), AZ. The XM 1203Firing Platform’s primary objectives areto provide risk reduction for cannonand mount development, to advancesafety certification and manned ratingfor 2008 prototype deliveries, and toprovide reliability growth for weaponmodule components. Additionally, theMCS (XM 1202) 120 (XM360) Pri-mary Weapon Assembly has fired morethan 860 rounds to date. The gun isbeing developed to provide the per-formance of the current 120mm M256cannon on the M1A2 in a lighterweight, more compact design. This as-sembly will enable the XM 1202 to fire

6 APRIL - JUNE 2008

ARMY AL&T

Phased development

maintains focus on the SoS

by requiring each of our

individual

platforms/systems to

demonstrate its ability to

integrate with each other

and with Current Force

systems as a prelude to

final designs.

A Soldier performs an SUGVdemonstration at WSMR inJanuary 2008. (U.S. Armyphoto courtesy of FCS(BCT).)


120mm main gun ammunition from avehicle weighing roughly half theAbram’s weight. Successful testing andintegration are key factors that will en-able the XM 1202 to conduct full-spectrum operations and to “deliverprecision fires at a rapid rate to destroymultiple targets at standoff ranges.”

AL&T: Many new developments arebeing employed in robotic research forUGVs. What other platforms arebeing developed in addition to theMULE vehicle?

Cartwright: The FCS(BCT) UGVteam has been one of the first in theFCS(BCT) program to move from Mi-crosoft® PowerPoint to actual hardware.The SUGV (XM 1216) is participating

in experiments with the AETF thissummer. The MULE Engineering Eval-uation Unit [EEU] has conducted nu-merous demonstrations and is preparingfor Critical Design Review [CDR].Progress with the Autonomous Naviga-tion Systems [ANS] is progressing asscheduled. The ANS has integrated pro-totype systems on the MULE EEU,Stryker and Light Medium Tactical Ve-hicle (LMTV) truck in an effort calledthe Robotic Convoy Experiment and ona TARDEC platform called Crusher.We are excited about the progress theFCS(BCT) program has made to dateand look forward to greater accomplish-ments as we move to CDR in FY09.

SUGV (XM 1216) is a small, light-weight (30 pounds) robot that will

support the dismounted Soldier inurban environments to clear buildings,tunnels, caves or sewers. The Army hasmany small prototype systems in Iraqtoday that demonstrate the need forthe SUGV. The FCS(BCT) SUGV(XM 1216) capitalizes on that successand provides the lightest possible robotfor dismounted Soldiers. As the plat-form weight decreases, the mobilitymust stay the same. The lightweightXM 1216 can still take on steps foundin most buildings, operate in 6 inchesof water, tackle tough terrain and in-clines, and operate in various climates.

The ANS functions as the “brains” ofthe robotic platform for UGVs such asthe MULE (XM 1217). The ANS is acomplex integration of hardware and

ARMY AL&T

7APRIL - JUNE 2008

Soldiers prepare to unload the Container Launch Units(CLUs) for the NLOS-LSdemonstration held at FortBliss in January 2008. (U.S.Army photo courtesy ofFCS(BCT).)


software that interprets what is in frontof the XM 1217 and provides a safeand efficient path for it, taking speedand operational tempo into considera-tion. Ongoing ANS Laser Radar, LaserDetection and Ranging, data process-ing integration, and testing and evalua-tion work were successful in 2007 andwill continue at a higher level in 2008.

The three MULE variants offer interest-ing insights into the different situationsthat UGVs will encounter. The MULE-Transport (XM 1217) must follow thedismounted Soldier over complex terrainat a safe distance and react to the Sol-dier’s movement. The Armed RoboticVehicle-Assault (Light) (ARV-A(L)) (XM1219) must be capable of deliveringlethal effects on the enemy with itsM240 machine gun or Javelin missiles.The Soldier’s safety is paramount whenconsidering that the ARV-A(L) (XM1219) represents the first UGV to de-ploy firepower against an enemy by theU.S. Army. The MULE-Countermine[MULE-C] (XM 1218) demonstrates

the teaming of twoUGVs to clear a path ofanti-tank mines by de-tecting, marking or neu-tralizing the mine andmarking the clear path.The two MULE-C (XM1218) systems must be inconstant sync to ensurethat the path is cleared.

AL&T: The NLOS-Chas fared extremely wellin testing over the past2 years. What can youtell us about this newcannon system? Howwill NLOS-C technol-ogy revolutionize can-non and mortar fire inthe close fight?

Cartwright: TheNLOS-C (XM 1203) firing platformwas delivered to YPG in October 2006and fired its first round on Oct. 23,2006. The firing platform consists of aband-tracked surrogate chassis with athreshold missionmodule that has anautomated ammuni-tion handling system,automatic gun point-ing and an XM324,38 caliber, zone 4,155mm cannon. TheNLOS-C firing plat-form’s primary objec-tives are to providerisk reduction forcannon and mountdevelopment, to ad-vance safety certifica-tion and manned rat-ing for 2008 proto-type deliveries, and toprovide reliabilitygrowth for weaponmodule components.To date, 1,659 rounds have been fired.

AL&T: What have been some of thebiggest challenges with this system?

Cartwright: One of the system’s biggestchallenges was meeting the 27- to 30-ton weight requirement for all of theMGVs; this allows multiple MGVs tobe transported on a single C-17 aircraft.

AL&T: What are some of the mostsignificant technological breakthroughsassociated with NLOS-C?

Cartwright: Perhaps one of the mostimportant breakthroughs is the ad-vancement of hybrid electric propul-sion for our MGV fleet. This hybridelectric system is being integrated ontothe NLOS-C prototype to enable alighter-weight, higher-efficiencypropulsion system. The system canconserve fuel through the use of regen-erative braking to recover electricalpower while the batteries provide forpeak performance when required.

Another NLOS-C key component isits automated ammunition handling

and firing system.This system takes theSoldier out of theloop when firing. Thetask of manually han-dling projectiles andsetting fuzes, powdercharges and rope lan-yards to fire eachround is a thing ofthe past. The laser ig-niter system enablesautomated high ratesof fire while eliminat-ing the sustainmentburden of expendableprimers and providesincreased reliability.

Additionally, the Automated Cannon

Cooling System also enables high rates

8 APRIL - JUNE 2008

ARMY AL&T

Our use of phased

development requires us to

analyze continuously the

FCS(BCT) systems and

their capabilities to help

optimize our approach to

meeting the KPPs and

gives us the ability to

influence both platform

and network designs at the

earliest stages of

development before such

changes become cost-

prohibitive.

Soldiers set up the CLUs for the NLOS-LS demonstration at Fort Blissin January 2008. The NLOS-LS will provide warfighters with areliable, sustainable and dependable system. (U.S. Army photo.)


of fire by eliminating the Soldier taskof cannon swabbing while providingtube cooling to maintain rate of fire.The combination of these componentsallows an efficient,faster and less labor-intensive system.

AL&T: How willNLOS-C technologyrevolutionize cannonand mortar fire in theclose fight?

Cartwright: TheNLOS-C (XM 1203)will be able to im-prove its accuracyround by round andmission by mission,respond rapidly to calls for fire with itsnetworking and high rate of fire, andprovide a variety of effects on demand.It will be able to move rapidly, stopquickly and deliver lethal first roundfire for effects on target in record time.Last, it allows the commander the abil-ity to service more targets accurately,with fewer systems, and with rapid responsiveness.

AL&T: How will the MCS andXM360 Mid-Range Munition (MRM)change the face of armored warfare forU.S. forces? What are the system’smost awesome capabilities and whatare some of the key components thatwill make it an invaluable weapon sys-tem to the HBCT?

Cartwright: The MCS (XM 1202)with the MRM (XM 1111) will revo-lutionize the way the FCS(BCT) andthe U.S. Army conduct traditional“tank-on-tank” engagements. The den-sity of manned and unmanned sensorsin the FCS(BCT) will enable the for-mation to “see first” and detect enemyarmored vehicles while out of contact.The combination of FCS(BCT) Battle

Command and Sensor Fusion will en-able the FCS(BCT) to “understandfirst” and “act first” by developing or-ders that facilitate precision maneuvers

and fires. By usingthe robust FCS(BCT)network that linksthe off-board sensorswith the MCS (XM1202), FCS(BCT)leaders will retain theinitiative and theability to maneuverthe XM 1202 to areasof advantage and toengage the enemywhile safely out ofcontact. The MRM(XM 1111) roundwill provide the capa-

bility to expand significantly the en-gagement area with its extended rangecapabilities. While traditional tankrounds are designed to conduct LOSengagements at the 3-kilometer [km]range, the XM 1111 round will pro-vide the range and accuracy for theXM 1202 to conduct precision, BLOSengagements and destroy a range ofmoving or stationary targets out to 12km when the XM 1202 is stationary

or 8 km when it is moving. The XM1111 round will have a dual-modeseeking capability that allows it to ac-quire targets that are either laser desig-nated by a sensor or autonomously. Its warhead will have the ability to de-feat current and future high-payoff tar-gets on a complex battlefield to in-clude main battle tanks with explosivereactive armor, light armored vehicles,self-propelled artillery and air defense,trucks and bunkers. The increasedlethality of the XM 1202 at extendedranges through the MRM rounds willimprove this system’s survivability andexponentially decrease the number oftraditional LOS engagements. Al-though the XM 1202 will retain theability to fire current and future LOS120mm munitions, the XM 1202 inthe FCS(BCT) formation will makethe traditional tank-on-tank engage-ments obsolete.

AL&T: How are today’s warfightersbenefitting from the FCS technologyalready matured?

Cartwright: Today, the Army is makinguse of many FCS-developed technolo-gies. Navy and Army units are using the

ARMY AL&T

9APRIL - JUNE 2008

Soldiers test the FCS(BCT) network at the SoSIL. The network represents the greatest advancement intactical C4ISR that the Army has ever pursued. From its initial conceptual stages, the network wasenvisioned to provide fully integrated, distributed information management. (U.S. Army photo courtesy ofFCS(BCT).)

The MGV design is being

developed to achieve the

optimal balance of

capabilities to ensure that

its lethality, survivability,

sustainability and force

effectiveness attributes are

equal to or better than

those of Current Force

vehicles.


Micro-Air Vehicle (MAV) in explosiveordnance disposal operations. The MAVis a precursor to theClass I UAV. Also,armor technology de-veloped for FCS isbeing used in fragmen-tation kits placed onour tactical vehicle fleet in Iraq andAfghanistan. TheArmy has also success-fully used the Excaliburartillery round duringcounterinsurgency op-erations. This roundwill be the NLOS-C’schief ordnance.

The FCS(BCT) willbe optimized for counterinsurgencyoperations and the Army will accelerate

fielding of select FCS(BCT) capabili-ties (called Spin Outs) to reduce opera-

tional risk to the Cur-rent Force. The planexpands the scope ofthe program’s SDDphase by adding dis-crete SOs of capabili-ties at 2-year incre-ments for the CurrentForces. SO 1 willbegin this fiscal yearand consist of proto-types issued to theAETF for its use andevaluation. Followingsuccessful evaluationby the AETF, produc-tion and fielding ofSO 1 will commence

to Current Force units in 2011. SO 1is under development, program

acquisition controls are in place and allsystems within SO 1 are progressingthrough key engineering milestones.

AL&T: How will you spiral that tech-nology into the Current Force?

Cartwright: The Army will field se-lected FCS(BCT) capabilities to opera-tional forces in the SO fielding concept.The first FCS(BCT) capabilities will beprovided to Current Force BCTs begin-ning in 2011 as part of SO 1. The SOstrategy consists of prototypes fielded tothe AETF for testing and experimenta-tion. The SOs provide early capabilityin force protection, networked fires, ex-panded operational environment andBC in a series of SO capability releases.

AL&T: How will FCS strike the right balance between modernization,

10 APRIL - JUNE 2008

ARMY AL&T

The NLOS-C firing

platform’s primary

objectives are to provide

risk reduction for cannon

and mount development,

to advance safety

certification and manned

rating for 2008 prototype

deliveries, and to provide

reliability growth for

weapon module

components.

An MCS assembly firing fixture structure, race ring and ammunition handling system at General DynamicsLand Systems. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of FCS(BCT).)


recapitalization (recap) and reset whenU.S. forces begin returning home fromSouthwest Asia?

Cartwright: Modernizing the Army isnot an option, but a necessity. TheFCS(BCT) program is a key compo-nent to the Army modernization effortand will provide warfighters with capa-bilities never before used by a militaryforce. Our goal is to sustain the mo-mentum of Army modernization as werebalance current capabilities in theArmy to ensure that our warfightersmaintain a decisive advantage as thepreeminent power in the world.FCS(BCT) technology is being de-signed to work Jointly across all serv-ices to bring a new level of battlefieldawareness and Joint interoperability.

AL&T: How will this modernizationimprove tactical and strategic mobility?

Cartwright: The FCS(BCT) programsystems were designed from theground up with supportability andstrategic mobility in mind. PMFCS(BCT) has worked closely with

TRADOC, the Air Mobility Com-mand and the U.S. TransportationCommand during the design processto ensure that FCS(BCT) systems areeasier to deploy in ashorter time period.As a result, FCS(BCT)enhances agility, re-sponsiveness and sus-tainability by usingplatforms that arelighter, common andhave more robust interoperability capa-bilities than CurrentForce systems. Oneof the best examplesof this is the familyof MGVs, which usesa common chassis forall of its variants.FCS(BCT) forma-tions built aroundMGVs will have asignificantly smallerlogistic footprint be-cause of common re-pair parts stockage, tool kits and com-ponent replacement instead of repair

to lessen maintenance requirements atunit level. These formations will alsobe more lethal, more capable and moresurvivable through a combination ofarmor, enhanced situational awareness[SA] and APS. As a result, FCS(BCT)units will be able to handle operationsin a larger area with fewer Soldiers.This capability provides a greaterstrategic advantage when quick re-sponse is needed around the world.

AL&T: What new technology will bespiraled into Current Force weaponsystems as they go through recap/resetin Army depots?

Cartwright: The FCS(BCT) deploy-ment strategy consists of a series ofthree SO releases beginning this yearwith SO 1. Spinning out FCS(BCT)capabilities/systems when they areavailable will allow the Army to fieldthe FCS(BCT) network elements andsome individual FCS(BCT) systems

over time, thus reduc-ing the risk to theFCS(BCT) programwhile simultaneouslyadding capability tothe Current Force.SO 1 addresses Cur-rent Force capabilitygaps in SA, force pro-tection and lethalitythrough the use ofthe UGS (U&T)(AN/GSR-9 and -10)and NLOS-LS (XM501). Other tech-nologies include theFCS(BCT) networkcomponents, such asthe Integrated Com-puter System, SoSCommon OperatingEnvironment, BC,Network Manage-

ment Services and JTRS, which will beintegrated into Current Force Abrams,

ARMY AL&T

11APRIL - JUNE 2008

The ANS has integrated prototype systems on the MULE EEU, Stryker and LMTV truck as well as onTARDEC’s Crusher (shown here), an unmanned ground combat vehicle that was unveiled in May 2006 bythe Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. (U.S. Army photo.)

Our goal is to sustain the

momentum of Army

modernization as we

rebalance current

capabilities in the Army to

ensure that our warfighters

maintain a decisive

advantage as the

preeminent power in the

world. FCS(BCT)

technology is being

designed to work Jointly

across all services to bring

a new level of battlefield

awareness and Joint

interoperability.


Bradley and High-Mobility Multipur-pose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)platforms during SO 1. This networkbackbone provides control of UGS(U&T) assets and SA of objects de-tected by these systems, while also pro-viding a start pointfor the application ofincreasing capabilityin subsequent SOs.The FCS(BCT) pro-gram has also acceler-ated to the AEFT forevaluation of theClass 1 UAV (gMAV[gasoline engineMAV] Block 0, earlyprototype) and theSUGV (Block 1, earlyprototype) as a resultof the overwhelm-ingly positive resultsin the testing of theircapabilities and the need for these sys-tems in theater. Both systems providereal-time video and pictures towarfighters and combatant command-ers while keeping Soldiers out ofharm’s way. Over the next few years,the FCS(BCT) program will equip the

centerpiece of our modernization pro-gram, the warfighter, with the mostadvanced systems in the world to be-come more lethal, more situationallyaware and more confident to deployanywhere in the world in defense of

our Nation.

AL&T: What acquisi-tion strategy is FCS(BCT) using andhow will this changeover the next 5 to 10years?

Cartwright: TheFCS(BCT) programacquisition strategyconforms to the DoD5000 framework forsystems acquisition.The FCS(BCT) PMis responsible for

FCS(BCT) SoS development, produc-tion, fielding and support. Addition-ally, the program will develop and position the SO of FCS(BCT) capabil-ities/systems for production and field-ing to the Current Force.

From its inception, the FCS(BCT)program acquisition strategy was de-signed to employ an LSI to supportthe Concept and Technology Develop-ment phase and continue through theSDD and Low-Rate Initial Production(LRIP) phases. This strategy was deter-mined to be in the government’s bestinterest. The Army’s partnering withthe best of industry allowed it to usecutting-edge technology, best businesspractices and performance objectivesin FCS(BCT) SoS development toprovide the Soldier with greater capa-bility at lower life-cycle costs. It is theArmy’s intent to maintain the relation-ship with its LSI (Boeing and SAIC)through the core program LRIP phaseto ensure that SoS operational verifica-tion, as demonstrated in the InitialOperational Test and Evaluation(IOT&E), is in compliance with theSDD’s contractual requirements.

The Army now uses this LSI arrange-ment for the FCS(BCT) programSDD acquisition phase, scheduled tocomplete with a successful MS C deci-sion for the core program in FY13.

In compliance with the FCS(BCT)program acquisition strategy, the pro-gram is preparing to enter into pro-duction contracts for the MGV InitialProduction Platform (NLOS-C) (XM1203) Special Interest Program andSO 1 beginning with advance procure-ment items in 2008 and productioncontracts in early 2009.

These 18 units will be delivered to theAETF in 2010, 2011 and 2012, re-spectively, at a projected rate of six vehicles per year.

SO 1 involves procurement of 17BCT sets providing enhanced SA andcommunication capabilities for theCurrent Force through technology in-sertions to the Abrams, Bradley and


ARMY AL&T

FCS(BCT) formations

built around MGVs will

have a significantly

smaller logistic footprint

because of common

repair parts stockage, tool

kits and component

replacement instead of

repair to lessen

maintenance

requirements at unit level.

Here (left to right), Joe Zinecker, Lockheed Martin, shows MG Cartwright, PM FCS(BCT), and DennisMuilenburg, Boeing Co., the EEU’s progress. The EEU was used in multiple tests and demonstrationsthroughout 2007. Looking on from behind is Chris Yuknis, a Lockheed Martin vice president. (Photo byGlenn Helm, Lockheed Martin.)


HMMWV. These technologies will bedelivered to the Current Force in FYs10-14.

The Army’s acquisition plan for thecore program LRIPeffort is on target tobegin in 2013. Theminimum core LRIPquantity of threeBCTs would be man-aged under the LSIarrangement that hasbeen used for the pro-gram’s entire SDDphase.

A Full Rate Produc-tion decision MS willbe convened in FY17,and will be basedupon demonstrationof supportability/producability andafter IOT&E substantiates FCS(BCT)effectiveness, suitability and KPPachievement.

AL&T: What is the most importantmessage you would like to convey to

the Acquisition, Logistics and Technol-ogy Workforce and Soldiers who readour family of publications?

Cartwright: The FCS(BCT) programis a commitment tomodernize our Army,not an option. TheFCS(BCT) is theArmy’s promise toprovide its Soldiersthe best availableequipment and tech-nology. This is notjust a technology de-velopment program;it is also the develop-ment of new BCTs.These new brigades,with more infantry,better equipment andunmatched SA and

communications, will change the waythe U.S. Army fights wars. TheseBCTs will prove invaluable duringasymmetric and stability operations byallowing for precision targeted fires tokeep civilians out of harm’s way andmore infantry on the ground to patrol

civilian populations. And through sen-sors connected to the BCT’s network,real-time situational updates will allowthe Army to neutralize targets beforethey strike military or civilian person-nel (see them first and take them out).Through a state-of-the-art network,the FCS(BCT) will have vastly in-creased SA, survivability and lethality— ensuring that our Soldiers can takethe fight to the enemy before heknows we are there and has time toreact. By reducing vehicle crew sizes,logistics and maintenance burdens, theFCS(BCT) will have 50 percent moreinfantry Soldiers in the fight.

The FCS(BCT) is happening now.AETF Soldiers are training withFCS(BCT) hardware and software sys-tems and will begin brigade-level eval-uations of SO equipment in earlysummer 2008. FCS(BCT) SO capabil-ities/systems will reach operationalbrigades in the 2010 timeframe. Thefirst MGV — the NLOS-C prototypes— are being built at locations in York,PA; Santa Clara, CA; Minneapolis,MN; Lima, OH; and Sterling Heights,MI, and will be completed in June2008. In December 2007, the ArmyChief of Staff directed the FCS(BCT)program to accelerate test schedules for the SUGV robot and the Class 1UAV. As a result, AETF training andevaluations of these platforms startedin mid-January 2008.

ARMY AL&T

13APRIL - JUNE 2008

A MULE drives over a ditch during a demonstrationat Fort Bliss in January 2008. (U.S. Army photocourtesy of FCS(BCT).)

The Army’s partnering

with the best of industry

allowed it to use cutting-

edge technology, best

business practices and

performance objectives in

FCS(BCT) SoS

development to provide

the Soldier with greater

capability at lower life-

cycle costs.



ARMY AL&T

Lessons Learned From Product Manager (PM)Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) Using Soldier

Evaluation in the Design Phase

MAJ Todd Cline

Soldiers from A Co., 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade CombatTeam, exit their M1126 Stryker ICV. PM ICV’s systems engineering approach to vehicledesign will ensure that Soldiers have better ingress/egress capability. (U.S. Army photoby MC1 Daniel N. Woods.)


ARMY AL&T

15APRIL - JUNE 2008

In September 2007, the PM for the Manned Ground Vehicle(MGV) XM1206 ICV, Future Combat Systems (BrigadeCombat Team) (FCS(BCT)) conducted an ingress and egressdemonstration to optimize squad configuration and verify ICV

platform design characteristics. The demonstration was con-

ducted using Soldiers from the Army Evaluation Task Force

and a vehicle mock-up of the ICV mission module area.

Demonstrations using mock-ups or prototypes often prove to

be cost-effective ways to focus on certain requirements and

bring valuable data and a unique real-world perspective to

the design team. Mock-up demonstrations also assist PMs in

prioritizing limited resources to important system areas.


PM ICV is using the systems engineer-ing approach with this valuable Soldierfeedback to incorporate design changeswhile balancing any cost, schedule andperformance impacts. The objectivesof this demonstration were to evaluateICV mission moduleseating configurationand evaluate the timeit took Soldiers foringress/egress viaramp and door. Themock-up was con-structed with theability to reconfigureto different seatingarrangements, as wellas different ramp anddoor configurations.

The ICV is one ofeight MGVs beingdesigned for theFCS(BCT) and isbeing built centeredon the 9-man dis-mountable infantry squad. This Soldier-centric design allows for theICV to meet its mission requirementof transporting 11 personnel (2-mancrew and 9-man squad) on the battle-field. The ICV delivers the dis-mounted force to the close battle andsupports the infantry squad by provid-ing self-defense and supporting fires.

Soldiers from the 1st Combat ArmsBattalion, 5th Brigade, 1st ArmoredDivision, traveled to Santa Clara, CA,to take part in the demonstration. TheSoldiers’ time in service ranged fromonly 16 months to combat veteranswith about 12 years’ experience. TheSoldiers’ ages ranged from 18 to 38,and their heights and weights rangedfrom 5’4” to 6’5” and 140 pounds to250 pounds. During the demonstra-tion, Soldiers carried Rapid FieldingInitiative equipment and Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP)

gear, which provided realistic combatweight and added 100-120 pounds ofweight to each Soldier.

During the 2-week demonstration, thesquad conducted more than 200 trial

runs. Soldiers ran sce-narios wearing theirMOPP gear and pro-tective masks, andwith MOPP gearstored in their assaultpacks. Human factor,design and test engi-neers received and re-viewed more than 300questionnaires, whichencompass the bulk ofthe final report. ThisSoldier feedback,which ranged fromcomments on seat design, safety belts,seating arrangements,Soldier space, rampand door opening to

identifying obstacles in design andsafety-related issues, proved invaluablein optimizing the ICV design.

Lessons LearnedThe ICV ingress/egress demonstrationnot only provided the FCS(BCT) pro-gram useful data, but also emphasizedthe importance of demonstrations, testsand user juries early in the system de-velopment process. FCS ICV ingress/egress demonstration lessons learnedmay benefit other defense acquisitionprograms planning similar events. Suc-cessful demonstrations require writtenplans, identification of resources andinvolvement of the test and safety com-munities. Here are some of the impor-tant lessons learned during the ICV’singress/egress demonstration:

• Establish a written test or demonstra-tion plan. A written plan helps thefabricators, testers, human factor en-gineers, design engineers and usersunderstand the demonstration scopeas well as the objectives and enddata. The plan also helps to preventothers from adding scope to theevent without proper time or fund-ing resources.

• Identify and schedule required resources.Mock-ups may require the fabricationof surrogate items. The important


ARMY AL&T

During the 2-week ICV mock-up demonstration, an infantry squad conducted more than 200 trial runs.Soldiers ran scenarios wearing their MOPP gear and protective masks, and with MOPP gear stored in theirassault packs. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of FCS(BCT).)

Demonstrations using

mock-ups or prototypes

often prove to be cost-

effective ways to focus on

certain requirements and

bring valuable data and a

unique real-world

perspective to the design

team. Mock-up

demonstrations also assist

PMs in prioritizing limited

resources to important

system areas.


point is to strive to make the demon-stration as realistic as possible to enable best possible data collection.

• Don’t forget the Soldier. Soldier requests take timeto process, andsome units requireseveral months’ ad-vance notice fortheir approvalprocess. Ensure toplan for Soldierequipment becausesome equipment istoo bulky andheavy for commer-cial flights and mayrequire special ship-ping. Sensitiveitems, such as nightvision goggles, weapons, etc., may re-quire additional site security for stor-age. Contact your test communityfor required safety documentationbefore letting Soldiers use any devel-opmental equipment. The Develop-mental Test Center at Aberdeen Providing Ground, MD, provides

Safety Releases and is a valuable re-source in identifying additional ap-provals. Safety Releases provide com-manders and PMs important infor-

mation on risks ofusing the prototypeor mock-up equip-ment and establishany limitations to thetest or demonstration. • Review AR 70-25,

Use of Volunteers asSubjects of Research.Depending on thetest or demonstra-tion scope, aHuman Use Com-mittee (HUC) andInstitution Review Board (IRB) may

be required. Establish enough time inthe schedule for the board and com-mittee to review, comment on andapprove the demonstration or testplan. Additional rules govern Soldiersbeing used on nongovernmental testsites or at a contractor’s facility. Onekey point is that major changes to

the approved plan will require an-other set of reviews and could delaythe start of the event.

• Be prepared for equipment to break,causing unwanted demonstration ortest downtime. The key to keeping aschedule moving is to have noncriti-cal events that can fill space and donot require physical mock-up use.Examples include demographic questionnaires, measurements of Sol-diers and their equipment in variousconfigurations and design facility ortest range tours. If you plan ahead,other demonstration excursions canbe added, with prior approval from aHUC or IRB (if required), to collectadditional data.

The FCS(BCT) ICV ingress/egressmock-up has led to PM and engineer-ing design decisions that helped to op-timize seating configuration, identifyhazards and bring unforeseen designlimitations to light that have aided indeveloping a Soldier-centric vehicle.The key to running a successfuldemonstration is to have clear objec-tives with a desired end-state or out-come (the plan), identify the partici-pating Soldiers and equipment as earlyas possible, include outside organiza-tions or agencies and ensure that thedata being obtained will assist in thedesign (not just data of results).

MAJ TODD CLINE is the Assistant PMICV, FCS(BCT). He holds a B.A. in com-munication from Grand Canyon Univer-sity and an M.S. in material acquisitionmanagement from the Florida Institute ofTechnology. Cline is an Army AcquisitionCorps member and is certified Level II inprogram management and Level I in life-cycle logistics.

ARMY AL&T

17APRIL - JUNE 2008

Soldier feedback, which

ranged from comments on

seat design, safety belts,

seating arrangements,

Soldier space, ramp and

door opening to

identifying obstacles in

design and safety-related

issues, proved invaluable in

optimizing the ICV design.

A Soldier wearing MOPP gear and protective mask exits an ICV mock-up with its ramp open during ademonstration at the Santa Clara BAE Systems facility. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of FCS(BCT).)



ARMY AL&T

Engineering the Army’s Next Generation Medical Vehicle (MV) for Rapid Responses

CPT Nicholas Song and SFC James E. Mentel

HMMWVs serve as nonstandard ground medical evacuation vehicles in emergencies. The Army’s next generationMV will fulfill this medical evacuation capability gap. Here, medics use a HMMWV to evacuate a wounded Iraqisoldier to a combat support hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, on Jan. 7, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Kevin Stabinsky.)


ARMY AL&T

19APRIL - JUNE 2008

Amedical platoon leader for the 1st Battalion, 504thParachute Infantry Regiment, deployed in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), returned from his battalion’s daily Battle Update Brief. He was dismayed by the

information he learned from the battalion staff and battalion

commander. He discussed the information with his platoon

sergeant before disseminating it to his squad leaders.


“Sergeant, per the Iraqi Theater Policy,and due to the increasing threat of improvised explosive devices [IEDs]and enemy tactics, techniques and pro-cedures [TTPs], soft-skinned vehiclesare no longer allowed off the ForwardOperating Base [FOB]. This means wecannot use our ambulances for groundmedical evacuation,” the lieutenant ex-plained. “How are we going to supportthe battalion?”

“Relax sir,” the sergeant replied.“Looks like we need to coordinatewith battalion for armored HMMWVs[High-Mobility Multipurpose WheeledVehicles] to be used as nonstandardevacuation. They only hold one litter,but it is a short-term fix for now. For along-term solution, we need to talkwith the AMEDD C&S [U.S. ArmyMedical Department Center andSchools]. The Army desperately needsto modernize its ground medical evac-uation capability. What we need is ahighly mobile, survivable, networkedMV with a Soldier-centric design in-corporating input from medics andproviders so these problems now canbe mitigated for the Future Force.”

Future Combat Systems (FCS) has de-veloped the next generation MV that

fills a capabil-ity gap desper-ately neededby the CurrentForce. The on-going conflictsin Iraq andAfghanistanhave proventhat the Armyis facing anadaptive andresilientenemy. Theenemy has ex-posed and ex-ploited vulner-

abilities in U.S. and coalition forces’equipment, particu-larly manned groundvehicles (MGVs).Depending on thesituation, Iraq theaterpolicies sometimeslimit or even prohibitnonarmored vehiclesfrom operating out-side of FOBs becauseof inadequate surviv-ability against IEDs and anti-tankmines. These limitations and/or pro-hibitions directly impact combatmedics and their ability to provideground medical evacuation on thebattlefield with currently fielded U.S.Army MVs: the M113 Tracked Am-bulance and M996/M997 Field LitterAmbulance. Medics supporting com-bat operations must resort to usingnonstandard vehicles with the appro-priate level of armor protectionneeded to operate outside of FOBs.The FCS MV has a Soldier-centricdesign that incorporates input andcontinual feedback from the user. Thisinvolvement early in the systems engi-neering process optimizes the MV’scapabilities and design, and ensures itmeets critical functionality and surviv-ability requirements.

FCS MVThe FCS MV is one of 14 MGVs, unmanned ground vehicles and un-manned aerial vehicles. The MVs are de-signed on a common chassis with com-mon parts to greatly reduce the FCS lo-gistical footprint and to ensure MVshave mobility, survivability and sustain-ability equivalent to other FCS (BrigadeCombat Team) (BCT) vehicles. There-fore, the new MVs will be able to keeppace with the Infantry Combat Vehiclesand Mounted Combat Systems they support.

The FCS MV has two separate vari-ants: MV-Evacuation (MV-E) andMV-Treatment (MV-T). MV-E has

the capability to evac-uate up to four litterpatients, six ambula-tory patients or acombination of threelitter and three am-bulatory patients.Some key MV designcharacteristics and ca-pabilities include:

• 3-person crew.• Medic workstation.• Reconfigured Litter Lift Handling

System (LLHS) with no tools.• Oxygen concentrators.• Vital signs monitors.• Rapid Automated Medical Process-

ing Systems (RAMPS).• Medical Equipment Sets (MES) for

ground ambulance.

The MV-T will replace the currentBattalion Aid Station and provide Ad-vanced Trauma Life Support anywhereon the battlefield. Some key MV-T de-sign characteristics include:

• 4-person crew• Treatment table with full body access• Blood refrigerator• Oxygen concentrators


ARMY AL&T

A 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division Soldier in an M113armored medical evacuation vehicle transports mockwounded Soldiers during a mission readiness exercise atFort Stewart, GA, in preparation for deployment to Iraq.(U.S. Army photo by MSG Johancharles Van Boers.)

The FCS LLHS can be

reconfigured from litter to

ambulatory configuration

with no tools or

removable parts in less

than 2 minutes.


• Medical lighting• Vital signs monitor• Quick deployable shelter• Medic workstation• MES for trauma and sick call

User InvolvementWhat separates the FCS MV from itspredecessors is that the MV is the firstmobile, survivable, networked combatmedical evacuation and treatment ve-hicle being developed around the com-bat medic and medical providers. ThisSoldier-centric design ensures that themedical community influences theMV’s design early in the developmentprocess. Every MV aspect is developedaround the medical community, forthe combat medics and doctors. Be-cause of the FCS MV’s importance tothe AMEDD, key billets within theFCS program are filled by medicalMilitary Occupational Specialty(MOS) personnel, who ensure thatAMEDD is represented during the de-velopment process. Within the Prod-uct Management Office (PMO), abranch-qualified field medical assistantserves as the Assistant Product Man-ager (APM) for MV. Collocated withthe PMO, a U.S. Army Training andDoctrine Command CapabilitiesManager (TCM) medical noncommis-sioned officer (NCO) serves as theuser representative and requirementslead. Together, the PM and TCMmedical personnel work to ensure thatappropriate coordination takes placeand that the medics/providers — thetargeted audience — are delivered avehicle that allows them to do theirjob more effectively and efficiently.

To capitalize on lessons learned, theMV development integrated productteam regularly interacts with opera-tional units returning from combatdeployments to discuss and receive up-dates on evolving friendly and enemyTTPs. The first step is identifying the

problems and issues faced by CurrentForce medics and medical providers.The next step is to use their input onhow to improve or fill the needed capa-bility. Interaction with Current Forcemedical units has been vital in identify-ing capability gaps and in developingthe MV’s design concept and function-ality. In September 2007, the PM andTCM coordinated to interview severalcombat medics, medical NCOs andmedical providers from the 4th In-fantry Division (4ID), Fort Hood, TX,who recently redeployed in support ofOIF. The interviews helped identifyproblems that medics, BCT providers

and lower echelons of health care facewhen capturing medical informationdigitally. A follow-up coordination session with 4ID providers was thenconducted in November 2007 to gainmore detailed information on how toresolve current issues. It is throughthese routine interactions with medicalunits that two critical pieces of equip-ment have been developed under theFCS MV: the LLHS and RAMPS.

FCS LLHSThe FCS LLHS resides on the MV-Eand is a motorized litter system withthe capability to transport up to four

ARMY AL&T

21APRIL - JUNE 2008

U.S. Army medic SGT MichaelDaugherty, 6th Battalion, 9thCavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT,1st Cavalry Division, helps lifta wounded Iraqi police officerinto an M996 HMMWVambulance at FOB Normandy,Iraq, March 24, 2007. Thenew FCS MV-E will provideenhanced medical capabilitiesand will be capable ofevacuating more patients inan emergency. (U.S. Air Forcephoto by SSGT Stacy L.Pearsall.)


litter patients, six ambulatory patientsor a combination of three litter andthree ambulatory patients. The FCSLLHS is designed with 3 litter birthsstacked vertically, with 22 inches be-tween each birth, and a fourth litteron the MV-E’s sponson that allows forfull body access of patients. It is pow-ered by a single motor that allows rais-ing and lowering of the top litter andminimizes physical strain on the litter bearers during the loading and unload-ing process. The single motor allowsfor a synchronized raising and lower-ing of the entire litter birth, reducingany mechanical jams as found withprevious litter lift systems. There isalso a manual function incorporatedinto the design so that, in the eventthe motor fails, the litter can be raisedand lowered manually.

The FCS LLHS can be reconfiguredfrom litter to ambula-tory configurationwith no tools or re-movable parts in lessthan 2 minutes. TheFCS LLHS containsa moveable litter traythat pulls out to thevehicle’s center aisleallowing the litter tobe loaded from theramp or door, in theevent of a ramp fail-ure, and allowing thelitter bearers to loadthe litter withouthaving to enter thevehicle, thereby sav-ing critical time. The litter is sup-ported and secured by the litter stir-

rups, providingmaximum secu-rity and overallsafety for the pa-tient. Placementof the medic’sworkstation andpatient move-ment items(PMIs) inside theMV-E maximizesspace, functional-ity and patientcare. The LLHSdesign improveson many cur-rently fielded sys-tems’ shortcom-ings. FCS LLHSdesign improve-ments are a directresult of userinput and in-clude: how pa-tient litters are se-cured to the plat-form; the abilityto reconfigure theLLHS from litter

to ambulatory with no tools; the abilityto load and unloadthe LLHS from theramp door withouthaving to enter thevehicle; and the stor-age of PMIs for im-mediate accessibility.

RAMPSRAMPS provides themedic with the capa-bility to digitally cap-ture medical treat-ment data performedon the patient andmedical status of aninjured Soldier.RAMPS also stores

the information on a local databasethat resides on the MV and possessesthe capability to send the informationthrough the FCS network to higherechelons of medical care for their situ-ational awareness on number of casual-ties, status and location. The ability tocapture this information on the MVand send the information prior to theMV’s arrival at the medical treatmentfacility will enable medical providers toproactively prepare for and receive crit-ically wounded Soldiers. In combat,where the cause of death and loss oflimbs routinely involves severe traumaand major blood loss, every secondcounts. Passing this accurate informa-tion empowers the medical providersand leaders, allowing them to beproactive rather than reactive in theirdecision making.

RAMPS also sends the medical informa-tion via the FCS network to the TheaterMedical Information Program to bestored in a patient’s medical record.RAMPS can send and receive criticalpatient information. Significant effort isbeing made to provide medics with auser-friendly interface for inputting andrecording patient information. User


ARMY AL&T

The MV-E Mock demonstrates thevehicle’s 4-litter patient configuration.Other configurations can accommodatesix ambulatory patients or a combinationof three litter and three ambulatorypatients. (U.S. Army photo courtesy ofthe MV Team.)

RAMPS stores

information on a local

database that resides on

the MV and possesses the

capability to send the

information through the

FCS network to higher

echelons of medical care

for their situational

awareness on number of

casualties, status and

location.


juries of physicians and physician assis-tants have helped validate and incor-porate critical medical functionalityinto the RAMPS userinterface. Medics’ andmedical providers’input provides soft-ware engineers withinsight on how tobest design the man-machine interface.This strong inter-action between thePM and medicalcommunity has re-sulted in a systemwith a Soldier-friendly interface forcapturing/enteringmedical data, maximizing patienttreatment care and minimizing medicinformation input. RAMPS incorpo-rates touch-screen technology, voicerecognition software and PMIs, in-cluding a vital signs monitor, oxygengenerator, intravenous pump and ul-trasound. RAMPS also interfaces withan Electronic Information Carrier, amemory card issued to each Soldier

that will contain a digital copy of hisor her deployment medical record.

The FCS MV, LLHSand RAMPS are first-hand examples oftechnology developedwith a medical com-munity focus. FromFCS program incep-tion, AMEDD C&Shas ensured properrepresentation, viamedical MOS billets,within the PMO andTCMs. AMEDD rep-resentation embeddedthrough the entiresystems engineering

process has been vital in ensuring thatthe operational requirements andneeded functionality are incorporatedinto the MV’s preliminary design to fillcapability gaps desperately needed bythe Current Force. Direct input andfeedback from medics and medicalproviders within operational units haspaid dividends during the design andearly build phases as documented

within the FCS LLHS and RAMPS de-sign and development. Maintainingopen communication with our cus-tomers has been vital in FCS’s successto date and is the key in deliveringequipment that makes Soldiers morecombat effective and survivable.

CPT NICHOLAS SONG is a MedicalService Corps Officer assigned to ProgramManager FCS(BCT) as an APM for PMFCS MV. Prior to that, he served as aBrigade Support Medical Co. (BSMC)Commander with 3rd BCT, 101st Air-borne Division (AbnDiv) Air Assault. Hehas deployed in support of OIF (twice)and Operation Enduring Freedom as a Med-ical Platoon Leader and as a BSMC Com-pany Commander. Song holds a B.S. inexercise science and sport studies fromRutgers, The State University of New Jer-sey. He is Level I certified in acquisition.

SFC JAMES E. MENTEL is an ArmyCombat Medic assigned as the TCM leaduser representative for the FCS MV-E andMV-T variants. Prior to that, he served invarious positions including Medical Evacu-ation NCO, Treatment NCO, EmergencyRoom NCO, Clinic NCO in charge,Medical Platoon Sergeant and as aPathfinder Medic with the 101st AbnDiv(Air Assault). Mentel is certified as anEmergency Medical Technician, Advanced Combat Life Support Providerand has earned the coveted Expert FieldMedical Badge.

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23APRIL - JUNE 2008

The ability to capture this

information on the MV

and send the information

prior to the MV’s arrival

at the medical treatment

facility will enable

medical providers to

proactively prepare for

and receive critically

wounded Soldiers.

Soldiers from the Army medical community provide feedbackto the MV Design Team to help influence Soldier-centricdesign elements early in the vehicle development process.(U.S. Army photo courtesy of the MV Team.)



ARMY AL&T

Future Combat Systems (FCS) AutonomousNavigation System (ANS) Technology Will

Revolutionize WarfareMichael W. Price and Dr. Steven Munkeby

It’s been a long day and Charlie Co. Soldiers are trying to rest before they resume oper-ations. Out of the distance, a convoy arrives with rations, water, ammo and neededmedical supplies. The First Sergeant is pleased that the supplies arrived safely and thathis Soldiers weren’t needed to escort the convoy back. This convoy was the newest mem-

ber of Charlie Co., an unmanned Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE)

platform that autonomously travels back to the supply point and returns without a Soldier

escort. The MULE conducted this mission autonomously avoiding obstacles and navigating

rugged terrain using the latest autonomous navigation sensors and software developed for

the Army’s FCS. ANS performs the driving and navigation functions for all FCS unmanned

ground vehicles (UGVs) and indirect driving for the manned ground vehicles.

The ANS functions of move-on-route and detect and avoid obstacles were enhanced with leader-follower capabilities, which allow one UGVto follow another vehicle’s path in convoy-like operations. Here, during Phase I of the RCX, the ANS-equipped Stryker ICV is the leader andthe LMTV is the follower. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of FCS(BCT).)


“The capabilities that the UGV andANS provide to the warfighter willrevolutionize the way we conductcombat operations,” remarked LTCSteve Noe, FCS UGV Product Man-ager (PM). “They will reduce risk tothe Soldiers in hazardous situationsand reduce Soldier workload and man-power requirements, particularly withthe MULE family of vehicles duringcombat and convoy operations.”

Currently in the System Developmentand Demonstration phase, UGVs, withthe ANS fully integrated into theirconfigurations, will perform tasks de-signed to move the UGVs around thebattlefield with minimal human over-sight. Some of these tasks includemove-on-route, obstacle detection andavoidance, and leader/follower. Eachtask provides day and night navigationtactical behaviors capability in all typesof weather for survival on the battle-field. “ANS is the centerpiece of UGVtechnology, ‘the eyes and brains’ thatemulates the human skills to interpretits surroundings and plot a course,”said Dan Folk, FCS UGV Deputy PM.

RCX Phase IThe ANS demonstrated its robustnessrecently during Phase 1 of the RoboticConvoy Experiment (RCX) conductedat the White Sands Missile Range

(WSMR), NM, in August 2007.Through a series of test operations em-ulating a real-time tactical environmentwhile simulating combat amid ruggedterrain, wind and sand, the ANSproved itself as an effective navigationsystem for manned and unmanned ve-hicles. The RCX included experimentalmaneuvers to evaluate the system’s ca-pability to avoid obstacles and to navi-gate rugged terrainusing the latest au-tonomous navigationsensors and softwaredeveloped for theArmy’s FCS.

The RCX test vehi-cles were a StrykerInfantry Carrier Ve-hicle (ICV) and aLight Medium Tactical Vehicle(LMTV) equipped with ANS sensors,navigation and computing capabilities.The configuration allowed the test ve-hicles to be driven in teleoperationmode with a joystick. In addition tothis capability, the ANS demonstratedremote capabilities beyond teleopera-tion where test vehicles navigated in-dependent of direct Soldier control.Combining these two capabilitiesdemonstrated the required FCS func-tionality for UGVs to move-on-routeand detect and avoid obstacles using

varying speeds and distances, numbersof waypoints, obstacle patterns androutes. ANS’ cutting-edge autonomousnavigation technologies are also con-fronting relevant environmental issuessuch as heat, dust, wind and rain.

During move-on-route, the ANS drivesthe vehicle by issuing speed and steer-ing commands that maneuver the vehi-

cle along a preplannedroute. An ANS move-ment route is identi-fied by designatedwaypoints, or GlobalPositioning System(GPS) breadcrumbs,coordinates that deter-mine the route oftravel. During theRCX-conducted tests,

vehicle routes were conducted with andwithout obstacles.

Since the UGV maneuvers without ahuman making its decisions, an impor-tant function of unmanned vehicles isthe autonomous decision-making abil-ity to detect and avoid obstacles. Dur-ing the RCX testing, obstacles were po-sitioned on the vehicle’s proposed routeto vary the route and challenge theANS’ abilities. The ANS was presentedwith three different sets of obstacle pat-terns requiring it to appropriately de-cide whether to steer left or right.

Though robotic vehicles will nevertake the place of a Soldier, these vehi-cles will help reduce risk to Soldiersand possibly save lives at the sametime. According to Folk, “ANS tech-nology will revolutionize warfare on ascale comparable to the ironclads ofthe Civil War and the [German]Messerschmitt, the first jet fighter inWorld War II.”

The ANS exceeded initial test objectiveswith teleoperational speeds, even in

ARMY AL&T

25APRIL - JUNE 2008

The capabilities that the

UGV and ANS provide

to the warfighter will

revolutionize the way we

conduct combat

operations.

The ANS-equipped Stryker was used as the leader vehicle during the RCX atWSMR. The man-driven lead vehicle establishes the route for the unmannedvehicles by sending the waypoints or GPS breadcrumbs to the followers. (U.S.Army photo courtesy of FCS(BCT).)


move-on-route with obstacle detection.Patti Rose, U.S. Army government co-lead for ANS, added, “We werepleased with the initial results. Notonly were we able to move the vehiclealong the specified routes at highspeeds, we were able to detect andavoid obstacles while moving at thosegreater speeds.”

Leader-Follower CapabilitiesTaking on this challenge of near-termconvoy operations, the ANS functionsof move-on-route and detect and avoidobstacles were enhanced with leader-follower capabilities, allowing oneUGV to follow another vehicle’s pathin convoy-like operations. “Leader-follower,” a term sometimes used in-terchangeably with “robotic convoy,”evolved into the overall RCX goalwhile at WSMR. The leader-followercapability allows one man-driven vehicle to be followed by one or moreunmanned vehicles in a convoy-likeoperation. The man-driven lead vehi-cle establishes the route for the un-manned follower vehicles bysending the waypoints orGPS breadcrumb coordi-nates to the followers. Ad-ditionally, the follower ve-hicles are instructed to trailthe leader at a specifieddistance. In addition to

the key accomplishments for speedand distance for teleoperational andmove-on-route activities during RCX, the leader-follower “convoy operations” achieved high speeds withseparation distances between the leadvehicle and follower even in heavy dust environments.

“The ANS program is developing a sophisticated autonomous route-following capability with obstacle de-tection and avoidance that will providea future benefit to man-driven vehicles.The logistics implications are thatANS-equipped manned vehicles willalert drivers to hazards, allow drivers torest or allow vehicle operation withoutdrivers. We also see exciting opportuni-ties for early spin out of some ANS features such as basic driver’s aides andthe leader-follower convoy capabilitydemonstrated during our recent RCX,”said Jay Kurtz, ANS Program Manager,General Dynamics Robotic Systems.

RCX Phase IIPhase II of the RCX is scheduled forthe 3rd and 4th quarters of FY08. The objectives are to further emulate

military-like tacticaloperations through

additional

experimentation with various routes,obstacle patterns and higher speeds. Further emphasis will be placed onANS to demonstrate its ability toadapt and overcome unforeseen situa-tions. FY08 experimentation will ad-dress the sustained speeds for longerperiods of time and distances represen-tative of current and future convoy op-erations covering various scenarios andsituations. RCX successfully demon-strated more than 15 years of Pentagon-funded autonomous navigation workthat is showing signs of reducing Soldier risk as envisioned in the FCSconcept of operations. With prelimi-nary test results as promising as theyhave been, Army officials believe un-manned vehicles might be applied tocertain applications much earlier. Anearly potential application for theseunmanned vehicles would includeconvoy operations in combat. As Noesummarized, “Helping Soldiers withtheir everyday high-risk tasks is a clearreason for developing the ANS capa-bilities as quickly as possible.”

MICHAEL W. PRICE is an ANS Gov-ernment Systems Engineer at PM FCSUGV. He holds a B.S. in mechanical engi-neering from Loyola Marymount Univer-

sity and is an Army Acquisition Corpsmember certified Level III in both pro-gram management and systems planning,research, development and engineering.Price was recently accepted as a Competi-tive Development Group/Army Acquisi-tion Fellow – Class of 2008.

DR. STEVEN MUNKEBY is the LeadSystems Integrator PM ANS. He holds aB.S. in computer science from the Univer-sity of Montana, an M.S. in systems man-agement from the University of SouthernCalifornia and a Ph.D. in managementand organizational leadership from theUniversity of Phoenix.


ARMY AL&T

The ANS demonstrated itsrobustness during Phase IExperimentation of the RCXconducted at WSMR in August2007. Shown here is an ANS-equipped LMTV that was used inthe RCX. (U.S. Army photocourtesy of FCS(BCT).)


ARMY AL&T

27APRIL - JUNE 2008

Multifunctional Utility/Logistics and Equipment (MULE) Vehicle Will Improve

Soldier Mobility, Survivability and LethalityMAJ D. Brian Byers

We are on the cusp of a paradigm shift in the Army. It has beenmandated that one-third of Army vehicles are to be robotic be-ginning in 2015. So what progress are we making? The Army isusing a wide range of small robots such as PackBot® and Talon for explosive

ordnance disposal, improved explosive device detection and clearance, and

reconnaissance and surveillance by dismounted Soldiers throughout the

U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. These machines are typical of

the rapid fielding mindset that we have embraced in our wartime setting.

Yet, these are small robots with limited payloads and limited functionality.

Just around the corner is a new breed of robots that will impact how we as

an Army move and fight. Get ready for an old friend, the MULE!

A fully loaded MULE EEU is put through its paces on the open road during mobility testing. (Photo by Michael Norman, Lockheed Martin.)



ARMY AL&T

The MULE is the multifunctional ve-hicle developed by Lockheed MartinMissiles and Fire Control (LM MFC)as part of the Army’s Future CombatSystems (FCS) program. The MULEis a family of unmanned ground vehi-cles (UGVs) that will be in the 7,000pound class of medium robots. Within20 years, the MULE will be common-place in every brigade in the Army.What makes these systems unique isthe mobility, processing power, net-worked connectivity and robot size.The MULE family consists of threerobotic vehicles: the MULE Transport(MULE-T), the MULE Countermine(MULE-C) and the Armed Robotic Vehicle-Assault (Light) (ARV-A(L)).

Each variant will lighten Soldier bur-dens in the near future.

The MULE family is based on a com-mon mobility platform that serves asthe vehicle’s backbone. The commonmobility platform is a 6-wheeled chas-sis housing power and propulsion sys-tems, computers, Autonomous Navi-gation System (ANS) hardware and ve-hicle cooling components. By usingthis common mobility platform, main-tenance will be simplified and com-mon across formations. This will easelogistics burdens for multiple spareparts as well as decrease the amount oftraining Soldiers will need to conductrepairs. Power and propulsion within

the common mobility platform willprovide a vehicle that has extreme ca-pabilities for its weight. With its engi-neering model, the Engineering Evalu-ation Unit (EEU), the MULE hasdemonstrated power to tow a vehicle3.5 times heavier than itself. This flexi-bility will allow the robot to supportlimited vehicle recovery operationswithin brigades, freeing Soldiers andequipment from these dull and some-times dangerous tasks.

MULE-TMULE-T is designed to be the Soldiers’“pickup truck.” With a payload of morethan 1,900 pounds, the MULE-T willtake loads off Soldiers’ backs. Designedto carry more than two squads’ worth ofequipment, it provides commanders aflexible platform to move supplies andequipment throughout the operationalenvironment, freeing Soldiers to focuson combat tasks. This ability to form ro-botic convoys will further take Soldiersout of harm’s way by letting these robustrobots carry loads instead of placingdrivers on the road. The capability of amedium robot to autonomously navigateon the modern battlefield frees Soldiersfrom having to “teleoperate” it as we dorobots today. By integrating ANS ontothe MULE, the robot is now able to

The MULE EEU can tow a vehicle 3.5 times heavier than itself. Here, the MULEsuccessfully tows a 5-ton truck. (Photo by Michael Norman, Lockheed Martin.)

The MULE EEU, configured as a MULE-T, is undergoing capability testing at Camp Gruber, OK. The MULE-T cancarry two squads’ worth of weapons, ammo and equipment. (Photo by Michael Norman, Lockheed Martin.)


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perceive its environment and act uponthat perception. This frees a Soldier fromhaving to “drive” the robot. It also allowsthe commander to plan routes through-out the operational environment,thereby increasing tempo throughout thespectrum of operations. Commandersare only limited by their imagination onhow to employ the robot.

MULE-CMULE-C uses the Ground StandoffMine Detection System (GSTAMIDS)for FCS to identify, mark and neutral-ize mines in support of mountedforces. Working within a networkedforce, MULE-C will move to an areaof interest that may contain land-mines. The unit commander wouldthen employ MULE-Cs to scan thearea using the GSTAMIDS to identifylandmines for neutralization. TheMULE-C would take the GSTAMIDSand place neutralizers on the groundautomatically to destroy/neutralize thelandmine threat. Additionally, theMULE-C provides a lane-marking ca-pability that identifies the “cleared”lane for following vehicles. This lane isvisible in both day and night condi-tions. This capability provided by theMULE-C removes Soldiers from thedangerous work of searching for andneutralizing mines, as well as markinglanes in minefields for follow-onforces. By automatin

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