GROUND COMBAT SYSTEMS

Program Executive Office Ground Com-bat Systems (PEO GCS) manages the de-velopment, systems integration, acquisi-tion, testing, fielding, modernization andsustainment of the U.S. Army’s groundcombat systems to provide world-class, af-fordable and relevant capabilities to sol-diers and marines. Systems include theAbrams main battle tank, Bradley Family ofVehicles (FoV), self-propelled howitzers,Armored Knight FoV, M113 armored per-sonnel carrier, M88 HERCULES, armoredmultipurpose vehicle, Stryker FoV, groundcombat vehicle, robotics and unmannedground systems. PEO GCS operates with amultibillion-dollar annual budget and re-tains more than 1,200 military and civilianemployees, including three board-selectedArmy project managers and one U.S. Ma-rine Corps joint project manager.

Project Manager Armored BrigadeCombat Team (PM ABCT)The PM ABCT serves as the life-cycle

manager for the Army’s armored combatvehicle programs, including the Abramstank, M88 HERCULES, Bradley fightingvehicle, M113 armored personnel carrier,Paladin, field artillery ammunition supplyvehicle (FAASV), Armored Knight FoVand the armored multipurpose vehicle.

Product Manager AbramsThe Abrams Tank provides soldiers with

the mobility, firepower and shock effect tosuccessfully close in and destroy enemyforces on the complex, integrated battle-field. It is the only weapon system that canwithstand the impact of high-energy war-heads and remain lethal in full spectrumoperations. The 120 mm main gun on theM1A1 Situational Awareness (SA) andM1A2 SEPv2, combined with the powerful1,500-hp turbine engine and special armor,make the Abrams tank suitable for attack-ing or defending against large concentra-tions of heavy armor forces on a highlylethal battlefield and for roles that requireshock effect, wide-area surveillance, com-bined arms maneuver, and mobile directfirepower to support Army mission re-quirements.While every vehicle is designed to have a

space, weight and power (SWaP) marginfor incremental improvements, recent up-grades made to the Abrams M1A2 SEPv2have left little margin for future improve-ments. To alleviate these SWaP constraints,the Army launched the Abrams engineer-ing change proposal (ECP) 1 program,which is designed to buy back SWaP by re-designing and modernizing many elementsof the tank. This program is a modificationto the system that leaves the essential capa-bility unchanged. The Abrams ECP1 pro-gram will help ensure that the Army can

October 2013 � ARMY 321

M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams Tank

seamlessly incorporate future upgradesinto the Abrams without degrading opera-tional performance.The centerpiece of the ECP1 upgrade will

be to restore lost power margin through theintegration of a larger generator, improvedslip ring, battery management system, anda new power generation and distributionsystem. The modified slip ring on the turretwill provide the ability to transmit largeramounts of data into the turret, in additionto providing more power. Overall, these ef-forts will improve protection, sustainmentand power generation for the vehicle. The ECP1 upgrade will ready the tank

to accept the Army network componentsin the short term, while building the neces-sary margin to accept future capabilities inthe decades to come. The communicationspackage will integrate the joint tactical ra-dio system (JTRS)-handheld, manpack, andsmall form-fit (HMS) into the Abrams, re-placing the single-channel ground and airborne radio system (SINCGARS). To ad-dress these network requirements, theAbrams will integrate a gigabit Ethernetdata bus to allow greater data processingand transmission.While the Abrams remains the dominant

vehicle on the battlefield, the ECP1 pro-gram will make it more formidable by in-cluding a new armor package for increasedprotection, an ammunition data link con-necting the fire control system to the maingun, and an auxiliary power unit (APU) de-signed for use in mounted surveillance op-erations. It also will replace line-replaceableunits with line-replaceable modules, im-proving the onboard electronics and com-mander’s display. This electronic upgradewill mitigate impending obsolescence is-sues and provide the ability to quickly diag-nose and replace card level failures. In addi-tion, an updated version of the counter-re-

mote-control improvised explosive deviceelectronic warfare (CREW) system will beincorporated during the recapitalizationprocess.The Abrams Integrated Management

(AIM) Configuration Process is used forrecapitalization of the tank fleet. UnderAIM, tanks are completely disassembledand many of the components are refur-bished at the Anniston Army Depot, Ala.The assemblies are then shipped to the JointSystems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) inOhio, where General Dynamics Land Sys-tems reassembles the tanks to a zero-time/zero-miles standard. AIM also servesas the venue to apply modifications and up-grades like embedded diagnostics, improvedline-replaceable units, and redesigned hulland turret network boxes in conjunction withthe recapitalization program. Upgraded, dig-itized M1A2 SEPv2 tanks are planned forproduction through December 2014. TheM1A1 upgrade program produced its lastvehicle in July 2011. Fielding of the M1A1SA tanks will continue through the summerof 2014.The Abrams M1A2 SEPv2 (System En-

hancement Program) has a digital com-mand-and-control system that provides sit-uational awareness updates to other tankswithin the unit. Vetronics architecture tiesall electronic components in the tank to-gether and provides increased survivabil-ity and supportability. The commander’sindependent thermal viewer (CITV) pro-vides a hunter-killer capacity, allowing theM1A2 SEPv2 to engage one target while si-multaneously tracking another. Improvedonboard diagnostics allow the tank to self-diagnose faults without any additional spe-cial tools or equipment. The M1A2 SEPv2also has integrated C4ISR capabilities,which incorporate Force XXI Battle Com-mand Brigade and Below (FBCB2) to pro-

vide real-time command and control andsituational awareness. The sights use a sec-ond-generation forward-looking infrared(FLIR) thermal-imaging system for in-creased lethality and survivability. TheSEPv2 package also includes a computer-ized mass-memory unit and color mapsand displays. A thermal management sys-tem increases electronic reliability and de-creases crew fatigue. The Abrams M1A1 SA includes the gun-

ner’s primary sight, with second-genera-tion FLIR technology and the stabilizedcommander’s weapons station (SCWS).Other technologies include Blue ForceTracker (BFT)—a digital command-and-control system that gives commanders in-formation about their location relative tofriendly forces—and the power-train im-provement and optimization program (totalintegrated engine revitalization and im-proved transmission), which provides moresurvivability and durability. Survivabilitytechnologies include frontal armor and tur-ret side armor upgrades.

Product Manager Bradley/ArmoredKnightProduct Manager Bradley/Armored Knight

manages approximately 6,452 M2/M3 A2,M2/M3 A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS),and M2/M3 A3, as well as 334 M7A3Bradley fire support team (BFIST) vehiclesand 465 M707/M1200 Knight FoV.The Bradley M2A3 Infantry/M3A3 Cav-

alry Fighting Vehicle (IFV/CFV) facilitatesenhanced command-and-control capabili-ties, provides mobile protected transport ofinfantry to critical points on the battlefield,and performs cavalry scout and other es-sential missions. Upgrades in this programinclude advanced technology in the areas ofcommand and control, lethality, survivabil-ity, mobility, and sustainability required todefeat current and future threat forceswhile remaining operationally compatiblewith the main battle tank. The M2/M3 ve-hicle armament includes the 25 mm M242Bushmaster cannon, the TOW II missile sys-tem and a 7.62 mm M240C machine gun.The M2/M3 A3 provides overwatching

fires to support dismounted infantry andto suppress and defeat enemy tanks, re-connaissance vehicles, IFVs, armored per-sonnel carriers, bunkers, dismounted in-fantry and attack helicopters. The IFVversion (M2) of the A3 Bradley fighting ve-hicle is used most often to close with theenemy by means of fire and maneuver.The primary tasks performed by the CFVversion (M3) as part of a troop and/orsquadron are reconnaissance, security andguard missions.The A3 is a digitized platform with core

electronics architecture and an improvedtarget acquisition system that includes a fullballistic fire-control package with hunter-killer functionality via a commander’s in-

322 ARMY � October 2013

Abrams tank undergoing ECP1 upgrade

dependent viewer. Optical improvementsinclude two second-generation FLIRs andday television cameras, which display in-formation to the soldiers in the back of thevehicle and significantly improve the real-time situational awareness for the entiredismounted or mounted crew.The A3 integrated command-and-control

package incorporates the Army’s digitalcommand-and-control suite of automatedmessages, overlays and friend-or-foe graph-ics that meet the Army’s objectives for afully digitized force. This same digital com-mand-and-control capability was incorpo-rated into the A2 Operation Desert Storm.The A3 variants reflect the latest itera-

tions of a fighting vehicle family that in-cludes the Bradley M2/M3 A0, A1, A2, A2ODS, BFIST vehicles and M2A2 ODS engi-neer vehicles. The Bradley Operation Desert Storm-Sit-

uational Awareness (ODS-SA) M2/M3 A2conversion implements a digital architec-ture to mitigate obsolescence and providecommonality. The M2/M3 A2 ODS-SA sys-tem consists of a modified A2 ODS turretand chassis. The A2 ODS-SA electronic ar-chitecture is based on a dual redundant ser-ial data bus. All major turret system unitsare linked through this bus for signal anddata transfer. The A2 ODS-SA systems have the im-

proved Bradley acquisition subsystem

(IBAS) for the gunner that replaces theBradley eye-safe laser rangefinder inte-grated sight unit in the A2 ODS. The sighthas a day television and a FLIR channel,both with narrow and wide fields of view.The sight images are displayed as video im-ages to the gunner and commander oncathode ray tube-based biocular virtual im-age displays. The IBAS also has a gunner’smonocular direct-view optics port for theday view channel and a laser rangefinderfor target ranging. The line of sight is iner-tially stabilized. The M7 BFIST SA (M7 SA)

vehicle is the FIST version of the BradleyODS-SA and was first unit equipped to the81st Brigade Combat Team, WashingtonNational Guard, in October 2010.To ensure the vehicle can enable the

Army’s network investment and incorpo-rate other Army programs of record with-out further degrading operational perfor-mance, basic improvements will be made intwo iterations as part of the upcomingBradley ECP program. ECP1 is designed toaddress the weight growth of the vehicleand includes four capabilities: extended

M3A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles

life; heavyweight track designed to handlelarger vehicle weights; heavy weight tor-sion bars, which will restore ground clear-ance lost to increased weight, improvingcross-country mobility and underbelly blastprotection; and improved durability roadarms and shock absorbers, designed to re-duce operating costs and maintenance in-tervals at increased vehicle weights. ECP2is focused on meeting electric-power gener-ation and computing requirements for net-work systems.The M7A3 Bradley Fire Support Team

(BFIST) program is executing to the ArmyCampaign Plan and completed modular-ization of the force in fiscal year (FY) 2012with 255 A3 BFIST vehicles and 79 M7BFIST SA vehicles. BFIST vehicles are re-quired to conduct various mission scenar-ios including reconnaissance and surveil-lance, reporting of enemy activity in thearea of operations, reporting of hazards andobstacles to movement, and the coordina-tion of indirect-fire support. Both versionshave equivalent mobility, survivability, sig-nature and night-vision capability, and theyuse common repair parts with the maneu-ver force they support. Target designationfor all available laser-guided munitions isrequired, including those delivered by mor-tars and airborne platforms. The M7 SA BFIST is one of the two

models that replaced all M981 (FISTV). TheM7 SA integrates both existing and im-proved FIST mission equipment packages(MEP) onto an M3A3 chassis. Features in-corporated from the M3A3 chassis includethe 25 mm gun, 7.62 mm coaxial machinegun, precision lightweight defense ad-vanced global positioning system (GPS) re-ceiver (DAGR) and the Bradley eye-safelaser rangefinder. The current M7 SA BFISTuses the stand-alone computer unit, theruggedized handheld computer (stowed)

and the forward observer system, with fullinteroperability with advanced field ar-tillery tactical data system fire support net-works. The inertial navigation system pro-vides navigational capability based on ablended inertial/GPS solution.The second model that replaced the

M981 (FISTV) is the A3 BFIST. It incorpo-rates the FIST MEP with a digitized M3A3chassis. Features incorporated from theM3A3 chassis include the commander’sindependent viewer with 360-degree tra-verse and the IBAS, both second-genera-tion FLIRs, to improve target acquisitionand engagement; the 25 mm gun; the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun; DAGR; and digi-tal command-and-control enhancements.The first unit equipped for the M3A3 BFISTwas the 4th Infantry Division in 2003.The Fire Support Sensor System (FS3) is

being integrated into both BFIST configura-tions. The FS3 is composed of two sub-assemblies: the long-range advanced scoutsurveillance system (LRAS3) and the laserdesignator module (LDM), which will soonbe replaced by the diode-pumped laser des-ignator module (DLDM). When the LRAS3and LDM are integrated into the BFIST ve-hicle, it becomes known as the FS3. LRAS3 provides twice the amount of tar-

get detection over the IBAS, while targetingand designating under armor from the gun-ner’s position. This capability meets the2004 heavy/light ordnance objective. TheBFIST with FS3 will allow the fire supportteam to detect, identify and designate tar-gets for precision munitions at greaterranges while remaining protected by thevehicle’s armor. The new ranges meet therequirements and allow for laser-guidedsmart munitions, laser-guided bombs, andmissiles for rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.The first unit equipped with the A3 BFISTwith FS3 was the 1st Brigade Combat Team,

2nd Infantry Division, in August 2011.The M1200 Armored Knight is fielded to

combat observation lasing teams in ar-mored brigade combat teams (ABCTs), in-fantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs),Stryker brigade combat teams (SBCTs) andbattlefield surveillance brigades as well asFISTs in IBCTs. M1200s are used to performterrain surveillance and target acquisitionand provide precise day-and-night far-tar-get location capability in support of fire-support missions. The MEP of the Knight family of vehi-

cles—including the M1200 Armored Knightand its predecessor, the M707 Knight—con-sists of an FS3 laser designator, rangefinderand thermal imager, a digital command-and-control system that includes a blendedinertial/GPS navigation and targeting ca-pability, and a self-defense weapon. Firstfielded in 2008 after successfully integratingthe MEP onto a modified armored securityvehicle (ASV) chassis, the M1200 ArmoredKnight’s precision targeting system pro-vides computational capability for veryprecise self-location and far-target locationand laser designation capability for usingconventional ordnance, laser-guided muni-tions, and precision-guided projectiles suchas Excalibur.The 465th and final M1200 Armored

Knight was produced in the second quar-ter of FY 2013, and almost all have beenfielded or are scheduled to be fielded. Inaddition, 154 of these M1200s have re-turned from Iraq and Afghanistan andhave gone through reset. Block I and BlockII modification work order installations arescheduled for FY 2014, and these modifica-tions will ensure a pure M1200 fleet andensure the commonality of all M1200 Ar-mored Knights into sustainment.

Product Manager Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV)In 2007, the Army terminated the M113

armored personnel carrier program, citinginadequate force protection, the inability toincorporate future technologies, and the in-bound Army network because of space,weight, power and cooling. The armored multipurpose vehicle

(AMPV) program was created to replaceapproximately 3,000 M113-series platformsin the Army’s ABCTs—approximately one-third of the entire ABCT fleet. AMPV is pri-marily a vehicle integration program, not adevelopmental program. It will incorporateexisting M113 MEPs into already estab-lished platforms.AMPV must be affordable and based on

proven technical solutions with a high de-gree of commonality with existing ABCTsystems. Force protection, mobility andpower requirements continue to be criticalperformance drivers for the program. AMPV will replace the M113 in five mis-

sion roles: general purpose, Mission Com-

324 ARMY � October 2013

M1200 Armored Knight

mand, mortar carrier, medical evacuationand medical treatment.

Product Director MountedManeuver Support SystemsThe M113 FoV provides a highly mobile,

survivable and reliable tracked-vehicleplatform that, with upgrades, is able tokeep pace with Abrams- and Bradley-equipped units and is adaptable to a widerange of current and future battlefield tasksthrough the integration of specialized mis-sion modules. Although not presently inproduction, the more than 10,000 M113 FoVsystems in Army vehicle inventories consti-tute a significant percentage of present andfuture heavy division assets. The latest A3 models provide various de-

rivatives within the FoV, with major perfor-mance improvements in mobility, reliabilityand survivability through installation of a275-hp 6V53T engine with an X-200-4Atransmission. Coupled with reconfigurationof the driver’s station and several other ve-hicle subsystems, these improvements pro-vide battlefield mobility commensuratewith the supported Abrams/Bradley ma-neuver force and permit a range of en-hanced survivability options.The M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recov-

ery Combat Utility Lift and EvacuationSystem (HERCULES) is a fully tracked,heavy-armored vehicle developed to ac-

complish safe, effective and independentbattlefield recovery operations. It imple-ments swift and effective combat evacua-tions through the battlefield recovery opera-tions of towing, winching and lifting.HERCULES is the primary recovery sup-port for the 70-ton M1 Abrams tank, theWolverine and other heavy combat vehicles.

The M88A2 includes a 1,050-hp engine;a 35-ton boom; overlay armor; a 140,000-pound, single-line, constant-pull mainwinch; and a 3-ton auxiliary winch for de-ploying the main winch cable. When com-pared with the M88A1, these upgrades im-prove towing power by 25 percent, liftingcapability by 40 percent and winching abil-

October 2013 � ARMY 325

M113A2 armored vehicle

ity by 55 percent. The system is in full-rateproduction and deployment. Fielding be-gan in July 1997.

Product Manager Self-PropelledHowitzer SystemsProduct Manager Self-Propelled How-

itzer Systems manages approximately 1,168platforms including the M109A6 Paladin,M992A2 field artillery ammunition supplyvehicle (FAASV) and Paladin/FAASV inte-grated management (PIM) vehicles, whichconsist of the self-propelled howitzer andcarrier ammunition tracked vehicles.The M109A6 Paladin 155 mm self-pro-

pelled howitzer provides the primary indi-rect-fire support to modular ABCTs. Likethe earlier M109 models, the M109A6 Pal-adin is a fully tracked, armored vehicle. Theenhanced Paladin configuration is achievedthrough extensive modifications to existingM109A2/A3 vehicle hulls and the subse-quent introduction of an entirely new turretstructure. The Paladin includes an onboard Pal-

adin digital fire-control system (PDFCS), avehicle location/navigation system, secureradio communications systems, an im-proved M284 cannon and M182A1 gunmount, automotive improvements, im-proved ballistic and nuclear-biological-chemical protection, driver’s night-visioncapability, and built-in test equipment. Ad-ditional chassis upgrades include a re-motely actuated travel lock (for quicker siteoccupation and displacement), larger tor-sion bars (to help support the additionalweight) and a low-heat rejection enginewith an improved cooling system. The Pal-adin has improved responsiveness, surviv-ability, lethality and reliability comparedwith the earlier M109s. A parallel U.S. Army recapitalization ef-

fort was seen in the M992A2 Field ArtilleryAmmunition Support Vehicle (FAASV).The basic M992A0 FAASV emerged from anindustry research and development projectdesigned to provide self-propelled field ar-

tillery units with a ballistically protected ve-hicle capable of performing critical resupplyand support functions. The FAASV systemwas type-classified and entered productionin 1983. Based on an M109 howitzer chassisthat provided the resupply asset with mo-bility and survivability characteristics com-mensurate with the supported cannon ele-ment, the system is paired on a one-for-onebasis with the Army’s M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer.The Paladin/FAASV Integrated Man-

agement (PIM) program is a moderniza-tion program engineered to improve readi-ness, force protection and survivability, andto increase sustainability of the M109A6Paladin and the M992A2 FAASV platformsthrough 2050. PIM will leverage fleet com-monality for vital components includingthe Bradley engine, transmission, final drives and suspension. PIM uses the exist-ing M109A6 main armament and recentlydesigned chassis structure, while replacingoutmoded chassis components with ad-vanced components from the Bradley fight-ing vehicle, to increase sustainability andcommonality across the ABCT. PIM also in-corporates select technologies from thenon-line-of-sight cannon, including a (mod-ified electric) projectile rammer and mod-ern electric-gun drive systems to replacethe current hydraulically operated eleva-tion and azimuth drives that were designedin the early 1960s. The M109 FoV platforms will be fitted

with BFT capability to ensure interoper-ability with other platforms. These up-grades and better communications technol-ogy will significantly improve situationalawareness on the battlefield and reduce thelogistics footprint within the ABCT. Thenew electric-gun drives and rammer com-ponents, as well as a microclimate air con-ditioning system, will be powered by thecommon modular power system (CMPS),utilizing a 600-volt onboard electrical sys-tem. Once delivered to the field, the PIMvehicles will give ABCT commanders a

more capable and sustainable vehicle, pro-viding them with increased confidence intheir artillery fleet.

Project Manager Stryker BrigadeCombat TeamThe Project Manager Stryker Brigade

Combat Team (PM SBCT) develops, pro-duces and sustains the full range of safe, re-liable, supportable and effective Stryker ve-hicle systems—a diverse fleet of medium-weight vehicles capable of being rapidlydeployed to trouble spots around theworld.The Stryker Family of Vehicles (FoV)

consists of 10 unique mission equipmentpackages incorporated into the eight-wheeled, common combat vehicle platformconfigurations. The Army’s responsibility to satisfy 21st-

century requirements for effective full spec-trum operations required an improved ca-pability for the rapid deployment of highlyintegrated combined arms forces, possess-ing overmatch capabilities, exploiting thepower of information and human potential,and combining the advantages of both lightand mechanized forces across the full rangeof military and nonmilitary operations. As aresult, the Army invested in the Stryker FoV.In 2000, the Stryker became the first new

combat vehicle to be acquired by the Armyin more than 20 years. Its procurementemerged following the challenge presentedin 1999 by then-U.S. Army Chief of StaffGEN Eric K. Shinseki: “We must provideearly entry forces that can operate jointlywithout access to fixed forward bases, butwe still need the power to slug it out andwin decisively.” Strykers have accumulated more than 30

million combat miles in Operation Endur-ing Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.There are 17 Stryker variants. In March 2010, the Stryker underwent a

game-changing transformation when theArmy took lessons learned from theaterand incorporated an improved hull design

326 ARMY � October 2013

M109A6 Paladins

to protect soldiers from improvised explo-sive devices (IEDs) and roadside mines.These production vehicles were deliveredin January 2011.This new underbody design, known as a

double-V hull (DVH), was based on proventechnology similar to that found on MRAPvehicles, which deflect blasts away fromthe vehicle and the soldiers inside. Thisrapid engineering effort went from con-ception to production in less than one yearand debuted in Afghanistan in early sum-mer 2011.The M1126 infantry carrier vehicle (ICV)

is a troop transport vehicle capable of carry-ing nine infantry soldiers and their equip-ment and requires a crew of two—a driverand a vehicle commander. The ICV is armedwith a remote weapons station that supportsthe M2 .50-caliber machine gun or the Mk 19automatic grenade launcher, the M6 counter-measure device (smoke grenade launcher)and an integrated thermal weapon sight. Theother nine flat-bottom variants consist ofthe M1130 commander’s vehicle, the M1127reconnaissance vehicle (RV), the M1131 A1fire support vehicle, the M1129 A1 mountedmortar carrier, the M1134 antitank guidedmissile vehicle, the M1132 engineer squadvehicle, the M1133 medical evacuation ve-hicle and the M1135 nuclear-biological-chemical reconnaissance vehicle. The M1128mobile gun system is based on the ICV but

modified to incorporate a 105 mm turretedgun, an autoloader system and a crew ofthree. The addition of the DVH provides im-

proved blast protection for the Stryker crewand is currently being fielded in Afghan-istan. Based on the unique operating envi-

ronment encountered there, DVH ICVs(ICVVs) were provided in lieu of DVH RVsbecause the ICVV’s remote weapon stationafforded greater protection and lethalityand carried more personnel. To continue toperform scout missions, a kit was devel-oped that will facilitate the installation of

October 2013 � ARMY 327

Fire-control system inside an M1126 Stryker infantry carrier vehicle

U.S. A

ir Force/TSgt. Michael R. H

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the RV’s unique mission equipment pack-age into ICVVs. The Stryker supports communications

suites that integrate the single-channelground and airborne radio system (SINC-GARS) radio family, enhanced position lo-cation reporting system (EPLRS), Force XXIBattle Command Brigade and Below(FBCB2) or BFT, global positioning system(GPS), high-frequency (HF), multibandvery high frequency and ultrahigh fre-quency (VHF/UHF) radio systems andcomputer workstations using commandpost of the future software. The Stryker is also in the midst of an ECP

upgrade program. The goal of the StrykerECP Program is to address current space,weight, power and cooling deficiencies andlay the foundation for the success of futureimprovements to the platform. Specifically,the ECP program will allow the platform toaccept the Army’s communications net-work and provide the flexibility to acceptunknown future upgrades. Some but not allECP upgrades will be made to both theDVH and flat-bottom hull variants.

Ground Combat Vehicle ProjectManagement OfficeThe Ground Combat Vehicle (GCV),

managed by PM GCV, is the centerpiece ofthe Army’s overall combat vehicle modern-ization strategy. The GCV is the Army’s re-placement program for the infantry fight-ing vehicle (IFV) in ABCTs, which willdevelop and deliver an affordable and ef-fective IFV by focusing on affordability andprogram risk reduction through the use ofestablished technology and prudent perfor-mance trades.

The need for the GCV is driven by com-pelling current and emerging threats and acritical need for better force protection. Sol-dier input, informed by more than a decadeof war, identifies clear requirements for anIFV that can safely deliver a full nine-soldiersquad to the battlefield in an IED environ-ment under armor. No single vehicle avail-able today can provide that combination ofcapabilities. The Army remains firmly com-mitted to the success of the GCV program toprovide needed protection and mobility tosoldiers.In the technology development (TD)

phase, the Army has executed a three-pronged strategy that uses contractor-de-veloped, best-value designs, technical andoperational studies of existing vehicle plat-forms, and continued analysis of existingalternatives to assess GCV requirementsagainst cost and schedule benchmarks.Competitive development efforts from

the two TD phase contractors’ efforts sup-ported three main objectives: completingpreliminary design reviews for each con-tractor’s design, testing selected subsystemprototypes to reduce risk, and informingdesigns while maturing the draft designand performance specification. In support of a fully informed Milestone

B, the Army fully resourced and executed aGCV IFV analysis of alternatives (AoA) dy-namic update in accordance with approvedGCV IFV AoA dynamic update guidanceissued in October 2011. The AoA dynamicupdate consolidated information from theparallel nondevelopmental vehicle assess-ment and TD design concept efforts to pro-duce a more comprehensive understandingof requirements, trade space and system-

level alternatives. The overall approachproduced results to inform capability de-velopment document requirements matu-ration and identify affordable alternativesfor the GCV IFV program. The final reportwas issued in May.Throughout 2012, the Army conducted a

nondevelopmental vehicle (NDV) assess-ment with a combination of live testing andengineering analysis that evaluated domesticand international vehicles. The assessmentsconfirmed that currently fielded vehicles areoptimized for performance within their ex-pected operating environments but are lim-ited compared with specific GCV capabilityperformance areas. Although all assessedNDVs met some critical GCV requirements,none met the minimum requirements with-out needing significant redesign.The nearly completed successful GCV TD

phase has satisfied the Army’s intendedpurposes, validating that the developmentalpath is viable by doing cost and operationaleffectiveness analyses, reviewing prelimi-nary designs, and accomplishing selectedsubsystem testing. These efforts will sup-port a Milestone B in mid-2014. The Armyexpects to award engineering and manufac-turing development (EMD) contracts in thefourth quarter of FY 2014.

Robotic Systems Joint Project Office The Robotic Systems Joint Project Office

(RS JPO) takes a joint services perspectivein managing the development, acquisition,testing, systems integration, product im-provement and fielding of robotic systemsthat will form the backbone of the combatforce of the future. RS JPO manages theM160 antipersonnel mine clearing system,the PackBot family of systems, the TALONfamily of systems and the ultra-light recon-naissance robot (ULRR) Systems. The M160 Anti-Personnel Mine Clear-

ing System, Remote Control, is a 6-tontracked robot designed for tele-operationfrom either mounted or dismounted posi-tions to perform area clearance of antiper-sonnel mine-sown areas. The M160 deto-nates or destroys antipersonnel mines in a66-inch-wide path through the action of arotating chain and hammer flail system. Itfills the light flail mission in the area-clear-ance family of systems.M160 system improvements are imple-

mented via an engineering change process.Multiple engineering change proposalshave been approved and integrated into theM160 design to enhance the robot’s utilityfor the soldier or marine. These improve-ments include transportability certification,software version updates to allow vehiclemaintainers to troubleshoot and isolatecauses of failures at the vehicle controlpanel, and updated marking requirements.The M160 was originally procured as acommercial off-the-shelf (COTS) item, but ithas made the transition to a program of

328 ARMY � October 2013

Stryker vehicle with M2 .50-caliber machine gun

record and is currently in production. The Route Clearance and Interrogation

System (RCIS) program is developing andintegrating an appliqué system on two ex-isting platforms: Type 1 and Type 2. TheRCIS Type 1 will allow the tele-operationof the high-mobility engineer excavator(HMEE) and its capabilities, enabling sol-diers to interrogate, classify and excavatedeep-buried explosive hazards, IEDs andcaches in a wide range of road surfaces andsoil conditions. This capability is designedto remove soldiers and expensive route-clearance vehicles and equipment from theblast effects of explosive hazards. The RCISType 2 will allow the tele-operation of theRG-31 and its capabilities, enabling soldiersto semi-autonomously control the mine det-onation roller, debris blower, and trip/com-mand wire detonating device and preventthreat forces from using concealed locationsand reseeding routes with explosive haz-ards by clearing routes of trash and debris.The materiel development decision is ex-pected in the fourth quarter of FY 2013,with Milestone B planned a year later.The Husky Mounted Detection System

(HMDS) is a two-increment program, withProject Manager Close Combat Systemsheading the program and primarily respon-sible for increment A, which is the develop-ment and integration of ground-penetratingradar and deep-buried detection payloads.In increment B, RS JPO is responsible forthe development of semi-autonomy capa-bility (SAC) and total system integration.The Husky SAC will enable an operator tosemi-autonomously control all functions ofa Husky and its payloads in an unmannedmode from inside a control vehicle at stand-off and will remove the operator from theproximity of the effects of explosive haz-ards. The operator will be able to deactivatethe SAC capability and operate the Huskyin the manned mode. Milestone B for incre-ment A is scheduled for 2013. Milestone Bfor increment B is scheduled for FY 2015and is reliant upon the outputs from incre-ment A.The Man-Transportable Robotics Sys-

tem Increment II (MTRS Inc II) providesa standoff capability for soldiers andmarines to detect and confirm presence,identify disposition, and counter hazardsby providing an unmanned platform forpayloads in support of current and futuremission requirements. The system is in-tended to be vehicle-transportable and ca-pable of being carried by two soldiers. The system will be highly mobile andused in mounted and dismounted opera-tions. MTRS Inc II will be a multimissionmodular system that can be reconfiguredby adding or removing sensors, manipula-tor arms, and mission module payloads,allowing this capability to operate togetherwith these sensors through the operatorcontrol unit (OCU). The program reached

pre-materiel development decision in June,with an approved capability productiondocument.The MTRS Inc II system will perform in

all types of operations, provide protectivemaneuver for soldiers and marines and thedismounted assault, and be employed in allenvironments, including asymmetrical and

military operations in support of conven-tional war, explosive hazard detection,combating terrorism, peace enforcement,and peacekeeping operations. This capabil-ity will also be used to confirm or deny thepresence of weapons of mass destruction(WMD) in support of WMD eliminations,WMD interdiction, and the capability to re-

October 2013 � ARMY 329

M160 Anti-Personnel Mine Clearing System

DOK-ING

spond to hazardous material events or acci-dent and consequence management re-sponse.The PackBot is a COTS, small, tele-oper-

ated, tracked robotic platform. The systemis modular and easily reconfigured. Basicmission packages include an articulatedarm with a gripper, a color surveillancecamera with ultra low-light and zoom ca-pabilities, and a rugged game-style con-troller for the common, ruggedized laptopoperator control unit. Two different stylesof manipulator arms are available withinthe PackBot family. The first is a small armmanipulator with 42-inch extension and alifting capacity of 5 pounds throughout thefull range of motion. The second is a three-link arm that can extend 80 inches and lift30 pounds close to the chassis and 10pounds at full extension.Multiple variants of the PackBot have

been fielded, including the PackBot 500 ex-plosive ordnance disposal, PackBot 500FIDO chemical sniffer, and PackBot 510FasTac. A recent software upgrade on thePackBot 510 platform enhances plug-and-play interoperability of all 500 and 510 se-ries payloads on the FasTac chassis.The SUGV 310 is a lighter member of the

PackBot family that has been procured toassist the explosive ordnance disposal(EOD) community. The Mini-EOD (SUGV

310) is a COTS, lightweight, manportable,tracked robotic vehicle. The Mini-EOD iscomposed of a manipulator arm with cam-era, lights and a chassis with four drivecameras. The user wears a monocle to seewhat the robot sees and operates the vehi-cle with a small handheld device similar tothat used in common gaming systems,both attached to a wearable operator con-trol unit.The Mini-EOD can navigate various

types of terrain including rocky, sandy anduneven surfaces. Its low-light capabilitiesenable it to perform day and night. Thepivoting manipulator arm is capable of ex-tending up to 2 feet and can lift up to 15pounds close in and 7 pounds fully ex-tended.RS JPO utilizes feedback from units using

the Mini-EOD in theater and U.S. trainingsites to develop enhancements and solu-tions for improved performance, reliability,and operational effectiveness for the soldieror marine. More than 1,900 PackBot familyrobots have been supporting operations intheater.The TALON Family of Systems is a

COTS, vehicle-transportable, tele-operated,multiterrain tracked system that has the op-erational flexibility for a variety of mis-sions. The TALON provides standoff pro-tection during remote reconnaissance and

surveillance. The gripper attached to thecontrol arm can support explosive ord-nance disposal as well as additional engi-neer support activities that may not involveinterrogation of IEDs. The systems includethree cameras and a modular design that al-lows for plug-and-play upgrades. The TALON family of systems has un-

dergone various improvements throughuser feedback to enhance operator protec-tion, system endurance, camera resolution,situational awareness, radio communica-tion and mission data storage. Additionalimprovements being developed and evalu-ated include an increase in manipulatorarm dexterity, improved communicationrange in urban and covert scenarios, and in-creased drive motor torque to improve sys-tem mobility. The TALON family is supporting sol-

diers and marines with explosive ordnancedisposal, route clearance engineer support,and reconnaissance and surveillance mis-sions. Approximately 800 TALON systemswere fielded in Operation Enduring Free-dom and Operation New Dawn. Approxi-mately 450 systems are supporting varioustraining requirements in the United Statesand abroad. The Ultra Light Reconnaissance Robot

(ULRR) systems answer a requirement forsmall, throwable robots. Currently, twoCOTS systems have been selected to pro-ceed for limited fielding to meet an opera-tional need. The DR-10 is a lightweight, compact, mul-

timission remote platform, developed forsupporting small dismounted military unitsand patrols. Using a wearable controller, thewarfighter sends the DR-10 in first to gainsituational awareness and take action. TheDR-10 OCU is a portable and wearable self-contained control unit using three majorcomponents: the OCU radio unit, the bat-tery and the hand controller. For maximumload-out flexibility, the major componentsof the OCU are housed in soft pouches de-signed with modular lightweight load-car-rying equipment.The 110 FirstLook is a small, rugged,

lightweight, throwable robot designed tobe the eyes and ears of the frontline soldier.Its primary function is to provide the oper-ator with hasty situational awareness indangerous and challenging environments.Situational awareness is provided on foursides of the robot by the four day/nightcolor cameras with LEDs in the front andthe rear, providing a 360-degree field ofview. The 110 FirstLook is ideal for a rangeof infantry missions and special operations,including building clearing, raids andother close-in scenarios. It provides thewarfighter with the ability to investigateareas during secondary searches, such astunnels, culverts and Karez systems, whilereducing exposure to threats in these con-fined environments.

330 ARMY � October 2013

TALON robot

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