US Army to Acquire FCS Spin Out and Manned Ground Vehicle Technology

US Army, The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) approved sole source justification to procure on an other than full and open competition basis Future Combat System technology Spin Out Low-Rate Initial Production effort and the Congressionally directed Manned Ground Vehicle Initial Production Platform (Non-Line of Sight Cannon (NLOS-C). 
 
The approval allows the Army to acquire FCS enhanced capabilities for the Current Force through technology insertions termed Spin Outs. There will be three Spin Outs with technology insertion planned for 2008-2015. 
 
Initially, the Soldiers of the Army Evaluation Task Force will first receive Spin Out 1 technology for evaluation and training. Spin Out 1 consists of equipment sets to provide enhanced situational awareness and communication capabilities for the Current Force through technology insertions to Abrams, Bradley and High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) vehicles. 
 
Technologies that will be delivered include “B kits” comprised of the Ground Mobile Radio and the Integrated Computer System, System of Systems Common Operating Environment, Battle Command software, Network Management System software and both Urban and Tactical variant Unattended Ground Sensors, and the Non -Line of Sight Launch System (NLOS LS). 
 
A total of 18 Manned Ground Vehicle Initial Production Platforms also known as the NLOS-C will be produced starting in late 2008 and continuing at a rate of six vehicles per year through 2011. The NLOS-C will provide the Soldier with networked, extended-range targeting and precision attack capability and is armed with a 155mm self-loading cannon. 
 
Future Combat Systems is the primary Army modernization program consisting of a family of manned and unmanned systems and sensors, connected to a common network that will enable the modular force by providing Soldiers with leading-edge technologies and capabilities that will allow them to dominate in complex environments.