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The 30-pound SUGV
is a small, lightweight, soldier-portable unmanned ground vehicle
that is capable of conducting military operations in high-risk
environments, including urban terrain, tunnels, sewers and caves,
without exposing soldiers directly to potential hazards. The
Class I (Block 0) UAV, a platoon-level asset and the smaller
of the two FCS unmanned vehicle classes, will provide dismounted
soldiers with unprecedented reconnaissance, surveillance and
target acquisition capabilities on the battlefield. The Class
I UAV can operate in complex urban and jungle terrains with
vertical takeoff, hover and landing capability, and can be operated
autonomously or controlled by
dismounted soldiers.
 Both
tests will be separate and occur in parallel, although separately
from the official FCS "Spi-Out 1" effort scheduled
for initial field testing in 2008. Spin-Out 1 is the first of
three planned infusions of FCS capabilities to the Current Force.
Equipment and technologies included in Spin-Out 1 will provide
enhanced situational awareness and communication capabilities
through technology insertions to Abrams battle tanks, Bradley
fighting vehicles and HMMWV vehicles.
These elements include hardware systems comprising the communications
system including the Joint Tactical Radio System Ground Mobile
Radio and Integrated
Computer Systems and their related operating systems known
as 'System-of-Systems Common Operating Environment' (SOSCOE),
and Battle Command and Network Management software. Among the
sensors considered for Spin-Out 1 are the Tactical
and Urban Unattended Ground Sensors (T/U UGS) providing
real-time threat information in complex terrain. The Non-Line-of-Sight
Launch System (NLOS/LS) is the first weapon system considered
for Spin-Out 1, introducing remotely controlled precision fires
to the current force.
 "The
acceleration of the SUGV and Class I (Block 0) UAV prototypes
and testing underscores the Army's commitment to enhancing soldier
survivability and mission effectiveness by getting the capabilities
into their hands as soon as possible," said Dennis Muilenburg,
vice president-general manager, Boeing Combat Systems, and FCS
program manager. "The decision to accelerate, driven in
part by feedback from soldiers in theater, also confirms that
we are on the right track to deliver a crucial capability that
is needed and desired by our soldiers currently serving in combat
operations."
30 May 2008: The
U.S. Army Evaluation Task Force at Fort Bliss, Texas is preparing
for an extensive evaluation of a number of elements of the Army's
Future Combat Systems (FCS) this summer. If all goes well, some
systems could be fielding in 2011. FCS elements considered for
early fielding as part of the program's 'Spin Out 1" process.
Spin Out 1 consists of unattended sensors, Non Line-of-Sight
Launch System, elements of the Joint Tactical Radio System's
Ground Mobile Radio (JTRS GMR) "B Kit", including
the radio, computing system and remote controllers. These B
Kits will be installed in existing vehicles such as Bradleys,
Humvees and M-1 Abrams battle tanks. Spin Out 1 elements were
demonstrated earlier this month on Capitol Hill.
Photo below: First Lt. Andrew Andersen, scout platoon leader,
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Combined Arms Battalion,
5th Brigade (Army Evaluation Task Force), 1st Armored Division,
explains the capabilities of a Tactical Unattended Ground Sensor
during a Future Combat Systems demonstration at Fort Bliss,
Texas.
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The
U.S. Army has accelerated testing of two