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Hard Charger
 
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 8/22/2005 9:55 PM
Posts: 2,309,
Visits: 6
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Be safe Cav!
The First thing I'll discuss are the five points of performance
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Seasoned Vet
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 6/10/2006 7:52 AM
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stay safe Cav
Make The Voices Stop!
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Seasoned Vet
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 9/7/2005 7:22 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by CavScout2
Thanks fellas!
OK FCS is supposed to be a 20 ton, cover all platforms, be C-130 transportable, information and tecnologically superior, 14.5/155/RPG suviorable etc...
BUT, I thought it was to be a 2012+ system, thats why we went SBCT. Looks like it'll be prototyped 2009(same year last SBCT will be operational) that means 2011 could be a fielding date so why are we spending billions to buy a system that will be replaced before most of its systems come out of warranty?
FCS also is tilting to banded track and hybrid electric power plant. Ceramic armor may also be added to the package.
Anybody figure "what gives?" I like the SBCT but not at this cost. If the FCS works out on its timeline we will have wasted billions! We can spend that money on sh1t we really need.(MOLLE, NODs, SDM, etc)
FORWARD!!!
OUT FRONT!!!
Roger Cav Scout. I've always wondered what the justification was for spending $4-7 Billion on an "Interim" vehicle when the Army already has M-113s that can be upgraded for a fraction of the cost. I just figured that the Army probably believes that the FCS development will take longer than scheduled, so the Strykers will end up being about as "Interim" as the M-16 was when they started issueing it 40 years ago.
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Seasoned Vet
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Here some info on the Stryker from NTC:
In the Army's Center for Army Lessons Learned "SBCT Monthly Bulletin, Volume 16 June 2003, its admitted that the lav3stryker is overweight and immobile:
SBCT 2 - Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)
As this bulletin is being written, the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry, of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, (SBCT 2) is deploying their equipment and personnel to Fort Knox, KY, for the IOT&E. The defense acquisition law requires an IOT&E for all new systems; this one is designed to collect data on key performance parameters of the Stryker vehicle itself. This test will yield data on a Stryker-equipped battalion in a combat scenario which will then be compared against data from another baseline infantry battalion. The unit will participate in the IOT&E from June-September 2003.
During the IOT&E, the unit will conduct tactical missions including raid, defend, a 180-mile road march, and security operations. In preparation for the test, the battalion has undergone an extensive training program designed to develop the unit's ability to perform many of their traditional missions and several new ones, with a new organization, new equipment, in a different operating environment.
Some lessons learned/observations/TTPs from this training were:
· With the addition of add-on armor, the scouts found some challenges that require changes to their TTPs. Add-on armor for the Stryker adds approximately 7,000 lbs to the vehicle weight and approximately 12-14 inches to each side.
To accommodate the increased weight, the tires were inflated to 90 psi and the Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) was disengaged. As the vehicles moved from a hard surface to a softer one (in a grove of trees) the vehicle's tires sank into the soft ground. The winch on the Stryker is not sufficient to recover a Stryker with add-on armor mounted; therefore, some other vehicle recovery asset must be used.
· Another challenge was the problem moving the vehicles down narrow two-lane roads while they had the add-on armor on the Strykers. The vehicles were unable to pass side by side. One driver had to pull off the road to make room for the other vehicle to pass. When he did this, the vehicle would sink into the dirt and require another vehicle to recover it. This made it important for the battalion staff and company-level leaders to ensure that they did detailed mission planning and route selection to reduce the possibility of two vehicles passing. While this does not appear to limit maneuver, it could cause temporary loss of momentum.
· The scout platoon for the battalion developed tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) that allowed them to use the vehicle while still performing the traditional dismounted scout platoon mission. The scout squad moved to a location in the vicinity of their operational area. Then they backed their Stryker vehicles, again equipped with the add-on armor, near stands of trees, brush or other types of concealment. The scout squads dismounted and moved to their observation points, named areas of interest (NAI), or other locations. After the completion of their missions, the squad returned to the vehicles, sent any necessary reports via FBCB2 and FM, and then moved to their next location.
Using existing TTPs, by carefully selecting the Stryker vehicle hide positions (to ensure they would support the additional weight of the vehicle with the add-on armor), they were prepared to depart quickly after the return of the squad with minimum preparation or challenge.
· The battalion also discovered that while the Stryker vehicle can easily ford streams and shallow rivers, Soldiers must take care not to exceed certain speeds. They found that if they entered the water at fast speeds, then water would splash up over the front of the vehicle, filling the engine compartment, causing the vehicle to stall. When the vehicle slowed down, the water would not splash over the hull, and allowed the vehicle to move through the water without stalling.
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Seasoned Vet
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 9/7/2005 7:22 PM
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Here is some more info on the FCS:
FUTURE COMBAT SYSTEM GETS FULL RATE PRODUCTION OK
The Pentagon has approved a $15 billion project to build a network of high-tech tanks and surveillance drones as the heart of the Army's effort to transform itself into a faster, lighter, more lethal force. The Future Combat System includes remote-controlled drones to prowl the air and the ground, looking for enemies, as well as carrying soldiers' gear. A computer system will link all the vehicles and other weapons with soldiers and their commanders to give the troops better awareness of an entire battle as it progresses. The envisioned Objective Force must provide for rapid unit deployment and successful offensive, defensive, and stability & support operations while using smaller combat formations capable of very high operational tempo and requiring a significantly lower logistical support structure. The $14.9 billion phase of the project announced this week covers development and testing of the system. An initial decision on whether to build the system for the Army - which would mean tens of billions more for military contractors - is scheduled for 2008. Boeing and Science Applications International Corporation will team up to manage the Future Combat System project and will be paid about a third of the proceeds, or about $5 billion. The rest of the money will go to other defense contractors who will provide the armored vehicles, computer systems and other gear. The system would replace 70-ton M1 Abrams tanks with 24-ton tanks, and the 33-ton M2 Bradley armored vehicles would be replaced by 22-ton armored vehicles. Contracts to make the new vehicles are among 23 subcontracts to be awarded by the end of September. (Army News Service)
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