Page 3 - Future Combat System News Today

The U.S. Army announced that, of five teams tapped to submit proposals to replace the 40-year-old Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, two have made the cut.

OMFV contracts from the US Army have been awarded to General Dynamics and Rheinmetall, with BAE and Point Blank cut from the programme.

The U.S. Marines have a problem. They rely on their CH-53E Super Stallion medium-heavy lift helicopters to move troops, vehicles, and supplies off of their ships. But the helicopters are wearing out. Fast. The pace demanded by the Global War on

The NPR suggests that the Administration is pursuing a strategically incoherent policy that will lead to greater global instability.

Congress may make sweeping cuts in the next DoD budget, affecting every level of supplier. However, COTS vendors see a silver lining as DoD officials will need to upgrade existing naval, air, and ground platforms if no replacements are funded.

Maintaining a healthy defense posture requires sustained funding for national defense at no less than 4 percent of GDP. Unless Congress continues to separate funding for ongoing militaryoperations to combat terrorism from the core defense program, thecost of these ongoing operations will come at the expense ofnecessary long-term investments for defense.

Experience shows that blended warfare will happen more often thanexpected in one conflict and that hybrid conflict will demand creative approaches to operational problems, including the need forad hoc, modular composite units. As Army leaders create an updatedmodernization plan, they will be wise not to think of modernizationin a vacuum, but to plan for a future force of legacy and modernplatforms.

The Sea Services will play a central role in denying China hegemony over Asia.

The Army has done much to adapt its programs to strategic realities, but ensuring its ability to support a protracted war against terrorism requires additional initiatives that are fiscallyprudent, preserve combat readiness, and promote furthertransformation. Congress should ensure adequate funding for Armyprograms, carefully weigh proposals for increasing force structure,and push for further reforms in military education.

The Army Chief of Staff names the strategic challenges oftransformation.