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U.S. Army announces vision for future ''Army Vision 2010''
The Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera and Chief of Staff of the Army Eric K. Shinseki Oct. 15 unveiled a vision of a more strategically responsive U.S. Army. The Army intends to begin immediately to develop a force that is deployable, agile, versatile, lethal, survivable, sustainable and dominant at every point along the spectrum of operations.The vision statement establishes a goal to deploy a combat capable brigade anywhere in the world within 96 hours after liftoff, a warfighting division on the ground in 120 hours, and five divisions within 30 days. This improved force capability will add important flexibility to the National Command Authority's range of military options. It will provide the NCA an enhanced ability to respond rapidly with land forces to crises and small-scale contingency operations, to engage to deter conflict, to fight and win decisively, and to maintain peace. In order to become more deployable and maintain lethality the Army will field a prototype brigade-size force. The intent is to establish brigades in the next few months that will use off-the-shelf systems, as resources permit and as quickly as possible, to jumpstart development of concepts and doctrine, organizational design, and training. The Army will improve responsiveness by: reducing numbers and types of systems it deploys as technology permits using communications and information technology to enable "split base" operations and "reach back" to reduce the footprint of deployed forces. This transformation pioneers an organization that reduces demands for replenishment supplies while stationing its forces and material in strategic locations to enable rapid power projection. |
| For individual soldiers that means lighter and tougher body armor," Shinseki said. "Weapons platforms will need better ballistic protection and long range acquisition and targeting capabilities with low profile and more capable ammunition. This means developing a systems approach to fielding platforms as well as a revolutionizing the way the Army transports and sustains the force. Reducing the numbers of systems will reduce the numbers of repair parts needed. Greater fuel efficiencies will also decrease the total weight of deploying forces. When technology permits, the Army will consider the advantages of developing all wheel forces. Speed comes through a smaller logistic footprint. |
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One of the most radical concepts under consideration is the Future Combat System. The Army currently aims to transform itself into a lighter, more versatile, faster-reacting force. Reflecting that goal, it is examining the concept of replacing today's 70-ton Abrams tanks with a system of robots, advanced sensors, cannons, and other platforms linked by computers. The program, involving some 40 industrial contractors, received the largest portion of the Army's science and technology funding this year — $500 million — with the hope of fielding the system by 2010, Andrews said. |
US Army Equipment :
Main Battle Tanks :
- M1A1/2 Abrams
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The M1A1/2 Abrams main battle tank is manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). 4,796 M1A1 tanks were built for the US Army. For the M1A2 Upgrade Program, 1079 M1 Abrams tanks are being upgraded to M1A2 configuration.In February 2001, GDLS were contracted to supply 240 M1A2 tanks with a system enhancement package (SEP). The M1A2 SEP contains an embedded version of the US Army's Force XXI command and control architecture.. The US Army has plans to procure 1150 M1A2 SEP tanks to be in service by 2004.The main armament is the 120 mm M256 smoothbore gun, developed by Rheinmetall GmbH of Germany. The M1A1 tank incorporates steel encased depleted uranium armour. Armour bulkheads separate the crew compartment from the fuel tanks.The tank is protected against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare. |
Armoured Personnel Carriers :
- Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) 'Stryker'
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The Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) is a new and important light armored product for Land Systems. In November 2000, the GM/GDLS Defense Group, a joint venture between General Motors and General Dynamics Land Systems, was awarded a six year, $4 billion contract to equip the U.S. Army's Brigade Combat Teams with 2,131 interim wheeled vehicles through a series of orders starting in 2001. These new interim armored wheeled vehicles are the centerpiece of the U.S. Army's effort to transform itself into a more agile and deployable force. The IAV family is the first new armored vehicle that the Army has acquired since the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The Army plans to field six interim brigade combat teams with more than 300 Strykers in each.. The basic Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) variant has armor that protects its two-man crew and nine on-board solders from machine gun fire, mortar and artilary fragments. The ICV variant includes configurations such as Reconnaissance, Anti-Tank, Guided Missile, and Medical Evacuation vehicles, as well as carriers for Mortars, Engineering Squads, Command Groups, and Fire Support Teams. A Mobile Gun System variant consists of a General Dynamics Land Systems 105MM cannon mounted in a low-profile turret integrated into the General Motors LAV-III chasis. |
- M2/M3 A1/A2 Bradley
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The Bradley Fighting Vehicle System is manufactured by United Defence Limited Partnership (UDLP) and includes the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle.The role of the M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicle is to transport infantry on the battlefield, to provide fire cover to dismounted troops and to suppress enemy tanks and fighting vehicles. The M2 carries three crew, commander, gunner and driver plus six fully equipped infantry men. The M3 performs scout missions and carries three crew plus two scouts.The US Army A3 Bradley upgrade programme includes improvements based on operational experience in the Gulf War. The first low-rate initial production M2A3/M3A3 Bradley was delivered in November 1998 and entered service in April 2000. The system was approved for full-rate production in May 2001. 926 Bradley vehicles are to be upgraded. |
- M113A1/A2
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The M113A1, informally known as the Gavin, is a lightly armoured full tracked air transportable personnel carrier designed to carry personnel and certain types of cargo.The M113 Family includes approximately 12 variants of light armored tracked vehicles used in a variety of combat and combat support roles. Total density exceeds 28,000. Today's M113 Family of Vehicles is composed of a mix of derivative systems consisting of the A1, A2, and A3 configurations. Most of the M113 family that saw service during Desert Storm were underpowered A2 level vehicles. M113A3 that were in the conflict kept pace with the Abrams equipped maneuver forces. Since 1987 the PM office has been modernizing the M113 fleet to the A3. This block modification should be completed for FP1 by 2001 with current funding. Today's M113 fleet includes about four thousand M113A3 vehicles equipped with the most recent recent A3 RISE (Reliability Improvements for Selected Equipment) package. |
- M-93 Fox
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The Fox Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Reconnaissance System will detect, identify, and mark areas of nuclear and chemical contamination, and report its presence in real time. The system can also sample for nuclear, biological, and chemical contamination at a distance of five kilometers with its mask mounted detection suite.Land Systems is working with the U.S. Army Chemical Corps to upgrade 120 fox NBC vehicles with a new capability over the next five years. Work will be performed at the Anniston Army Depot, in Anniston, Alabama.A modification program to upgrade all Fox M93 vehicles to the M93A1 configuration is under way at Anniston (Alabama) Army depot. The first unit equipped with the new M93A1 Fox was the chemical defense company of the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, in October 1998. |
- M577 A3
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The M577A3 Tracked Command Post Carrier is an armored tracked amphibious vehicle. It is a member of the M113A3 Vehicle Family developed and produced by United Defense. The M577A3 incorporates all of the mobility, reliability, and maintainability improvements of the M113A3, including powertrain, engine diagnostics, driver's station, and electrical system. |
- M998/M1025/M1043/M1109/M1114 HMMWV
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The High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is the replacement vehicle for the M151 series jeeps. The HMMWV's mission is to provide a light tactical vehicle for command and control, special purpose shelter carriers, and special purpose weapons platforms throughout all areas of the modern battlefield. It is supported using the current logistics and maintenance structure established for Army wheeled vehiclesThe HMMWV is produced in several configurations to support weapons systems; command and control systems; field ambulances; and ammunition, troop and general cargo transport. |
Artillery Systems :
- M270 MLRS
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The Multiple Launch Rocket System is a high mobility automatic system based on an M270 weapons platform. MLRS fires surface-to-surface rockets and the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS). Without leaving the cab the crew of three (driver, gunner and section chief) can fire up to twelve MLRS rockets in less than 60 seconds.The rockets can be fired individually or in ripples of two to twelve. Accuracy is maintained in all firing modes because the computer re-aims the launcher between rounds.In December 2000, a low rate initial production contract was placed with Lockheed Martin for 66 upgraded M270A1 launchers to be delivered by 2004. |
- M109A6 Paladin
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In June 1999, the US Army received the last of 950 Paladin M109A6 ordered. However a further 7 systems were ordered in July 2000 for the US Army National Guard.Paladin M109A6 fires the first round from the move in under 60 seconds. The "shoot and scoot" capability protects the crew from counterbattery fire.The 39 calibre 155 mm M284 cannon which is fitted with an M182 gun mount, has a range of 24 km using unassisted rounds or 30 km using assisted rounds.The crew remains in the vehicle throughout the mission. Protection against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare is installed with individual crew protection systems with temperature controlled (hot and cold) air. |
- M1064A3 120mm self-propelled mortar
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The M1064A3 is a member of the M113A3 Vehicle Family developed and produced by FMC Corporation.The M1064A3 incorporates all of the mobility, reliability improvements of the M113A3, including powertrain, engine diagnostics, driver's station, and electrical system. Survivability is enhanced through the use of external fuelThe M1064A3 has the same silhouette as the M113A3 Personnel Carrier and features a welded-in cross beam, additional floor support structures to withstand mortar reaction forces, and an enlarged three-piece top firing hatch. The 120mm weapon has a 90 traverse for firing over the rear of the vehicle.The M106 107mm Mortar Carrier has a 4.2 inch (107mm) M30 mortar mounted on turntable in the rear which fires through a large hatch in the roof. The baseplate for the mortar is mounted externally on the left side of the vehicle for use when firing the mortar dismounted |
- M119 105mm Field howitzer
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The M119A1 is a light weight air mobile air droppable (by parachute) or Towed Howitzer with an average crew of seven soldiers. It provides direct and indirect fire support to highly mobile light infantry divisions and separate brigades. The howitzer can be quickly moved and employed to provide maximum fire power with a minimum of combat loaded weight. It also provides a low silhouette and requires no recoil pit. These aspects combined makes the M119A1 Howitzer one of the most lethal weapon systems in the Army inventory.While the original design of the L119 met or exceeded all the operational requirements, the U.S. Army has carefully selected certain components for redesign to improve both maintainability and safety. In addition, the U.S. Army has an ongoing system improvement program.Army fielding of the M119A1 wass completed in 1995. The Army National Guard received many new items of equipment in Fiscal Year 1996 through Department of the Army funding, including M119A1 howitzers. The M119A1 will reach the end of its service life around 2008-09. |
- M198 155mm Field Howitzer
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The M198 Howitzer provides the user with a towed system that is air transportable, has high reliability and availability while greatly increasing the effective range of towed weaponry. It provides significant improvements in lethality, range, reliability, availability, and rapid emplacement and movement over its predecessor, the M114A1, which was fielded in World War II. The M198 is air transportable by transport aircraft and the CH47C Helicopter.The M198 fires all current and developmental 155mm ammunition. |
- XM777 155MM Field Howitzer
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The Ultralightweight Field Howitzer (UFH), designated XM777 in the USA, was selected in 1997 by a joint US Army/Marine Corps initiative to replace the existing inventory of M198 155 mm towed howitzers.The first EMD system was delivered in June 2000. The US Marine Corps is expected to procure 413 systems and the US Army 273 systems.A decision on full-rate production is expected in September 2002.The XM777 is normally operated by a crew of eight men but can be operated with a reduced detachment of five.The XM777 matches the firepower of current generation 155 mm towed systems for less than half the weight. |
Air-Defence Systems :
- M1097 Avenger
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The Avenger Air Defence System, built by Boeing, forms an important element in the US Army's Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) architecture, which includes C2I, radars, platforms and missiles. The first production contract for 325 units was awarded in 1987. The gyro-stabilised Avenger turret with Stinger missiles is mounted on a 4 x 4 HMMWV (High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle), but can also operate in a standalone configuration or mounted on a variety of military vehicles. Avenger has a crew of two - gunner and driver. In 1992, the US Army signed a contract for a further 679 vehicles, bringing total Avenger production to 1,004 units. A further 14 units were ordered in August 1999.An Avenger Slew-to-Cue upgrade kit has been developed to permit the existing link between the US Army FAAD (Forward Area Air Defense) Command and Control system to automatically slew the Avenger turret, placing the target in the gunner's field of view.First test firings of the upgrade, which gives Beyond Visual Range Engagement (BVRE) capability for the Stinger missile, took place in April 2001. Installation of the upgrade kits will be completed in 2003. |
- MIM-104 Patriot
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Patriot is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defence system to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. Patriot (MIM-104) is produced by Raytheon in Massachusetts and Lockheed Martin Missiles in Florida. The Patriot missile is equipped with a track-via-missile (TVM) guidance system.The range of the missile is 70km and maximum altitude is greater than 24km.A new Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missile has increased effectiveness against tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, through the use of advanced hit-to-kill technology.In January 2000, Lockheed Martin received a contract for the low rate initial production of 20 PAC-3 systems and by October 2001 had delivered the first 16 systems. The missile has completed the developmental flight test phase and will shortly begin operational testing. The US Army is planning to field the first PAC-3 systems by the end of 2002. |
Helicopters :
- AH-64A/D Apache
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The Apache is a twin-engined army attack helicopter developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing). It entered service with the US Army in 1984.The US Army has more than 800 Apaches in service and more than 1000 have been exported. The AH-64D Longbow is fitted with the Longbow millimetre wave fire control radar and the Longbow Hellfire missile. Boeing has a contract to upgrade 269 US Army AH-64A Apaches to AH-64D standard by 2006. Over 200 have been delivered.The AH-64D is armed with the Lockheed Martin/Boeing AGM-114D Longbow Hellfire air-to-surface missile which has a millimetre wave seeker which allows the missile to perform in full fire and forget mode. Range is 8 to 12km. |
- RAH-66 Comanche
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The Comanche RAH-66 is the US Army's new Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter being developed by Boeing Sikorsky. The first flight of the Comanche took place on 4th January 1996. The program entered Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) in June 2000, which requires the construction of 13 aircraft in addition to the two prototypes by 2006. Full scale production is scheduled to begin in 2007 and continue through 2025. The US Army requirement is for 1213 Comanche helicopters.In an armed reconnaissance mission, Comanche can recognise and identify targets and digitally transmit the information to the battlefield commander in near real-time, select the optimum force deployment and co-ordinate the attack. |
- OH-58A/B/C/D Kiowa Warrior
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The Armed OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, in service with the US Army, is supplied by Bell Helicopter Textron of Fort Worth, Texas.The primary mission of the helicopter is in the scout attack role. The helicopter can be optionally equipped to carry out transport and utility roles using equipment kits installed externally on existing hard points. A cargo carrying hook is rated to carry loads up to 2,000 pounds.The US Army OH-58D is equipped with an attitude heading reference system (AHRS) from Litton and an integrated global positioning system and inertial navigation system, GPS/INS.The Kiowa Warrior procurement plan is to acquire, through modification or retrofit of existing OH-58A and D aircraft, approximately 401 Kiowa Warriors. There are two concurrent programs which produce Kiowa Warriors: a program which modifies OH-58A aircraft, and a retrofit program that will eventually re-configure all 185 OH-58D Army Helicopter Improvement Program models. The Department of the Army has specified an acquisition objective of 507 Kiowa Warriors even though the current procurement authorization is for only 401 of them. |
- CH-47C/D/MH-47E Chinook
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The CH-47D Chinook helicopter carries out transportation of troops, artillery, supplies and equipment to the battlefield. Other roles include medical evacuation, aircraft recovery, parachute drop, search and rescue, disaster relief, firefighting and heavy construction.Boeing has delivered more than 480 CH-47D Chinooks to the US Army and National Guard.The latest model is the CH-47SD which incorporates a glass cockpit with integrated cockpit management system, automated flight controls, colour digital displays and full authority digital engine control.Three machine guns can be mounted on the helicopter, two in the crew door on the starboard side and one window-mounted on the port side.The Special Forces variant of the Chinook, MH-47E, is fitted with the Lockheed Martin AN/AAR-47 missile approach warner, Northrop Grumman ALQ-162 Shadowbox jammer, ITT ALQ-136(V) pulse jammer, Raytheon APR-39A radar warner and Tracor M-130 chaff and flare dispenser. The helicopter is equipped with a Rockwell Collins CP1516-ASQ target hand-off system. |
- UH-60 Blackhawk
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The UH-60 Black Hawk has been operational in the United States Army since 1978.The primary mission of the Black Hawk helicopter is as a troop carrier and logistical support aircraft, but in addition the helicopter can be configured to carry out medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, armed escort, electronic warfare and executive transport missions.In April 2001, the US Army approved an upgrade program for more than 1500 Black Hawks to UH-60M standard. First flight of the UH60M is scheduled for 2003 with entry into service in 2006. The program will extend the service life of the helicopter until 2025. The upgrade will include new wide chord composite spar main rotor blades , digitised 1553 bus-based glass cockpit and avionics suite with four multi-function displays, advanced flight control computer, strengthened fuselage and advanced infrared suppression. A new General Electric T700-GE-701D engine is also being developed. |
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