Army, FCS Team to Establish Evaluation Facilities in Texas
The US Army plans to establish an Future Combat System’s Brigade Combat Team evaluation unit Beginning in 2007 at Fort Bliss, Texas. The unit will be part of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command and FCS Program Management Office. commanded by MG Charles Cartwright, program manager, FCS Brigade Combat Team. The activity at Ft. Bliss will be supported by the new FCS regional office established by Boeing and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) in neighboring El Paso, Texas.
The mission of the Evaluation Brigade Combat Team will be to evaluate all FCS systems as they mature in preparation for deployment. They will also evaluate those technologies slated for early spin out into the current force beginning in 2008. These technologies include initial network capabilities, Unattended Ground Sensors, the Non-Line of Sight – Launch System, and the Intelligent Munitions System. These are all intended to fill existing capability gaps and enhance the effectiveness and survivability of current troops. Data compiled by the evaluation unit will then flow back into the broader FCS program and significantly reduce program risk while providing valuable user feedback to help ensure long-term program success.
