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The United States Army Futures Command (AFC) is a
(11 Oct. 2019) China's stealth drones and hypersonic missiles surpass—and threaten—the U.S.
* Binkov
(11 Oct 2019) New game changing weapons shown at Chinese military parade; October 2019
Binkov explains and animates Hypersonic glide trajectories for under-the-radar operation; Binkov estimates which weapons displays are mockups; Compares and contrasts Chinese, Russian, and US capabilities The AFC commander functions as the Army's chief modernization investment officer. It is supported by the United States Army Reserve Innovation Command ( 75th Innovation Command).
(8 August 2014) Pentagon Struggles To Get Small-Biz Tech
: FCS misuse of OTA, other acquisition issues. that were later cancelled with no harvestable content. As of 2021, the Army had not fielded a new combat system in decades.Matthew Co
Arpi Dilanian and Matthew Howard Army.mi
Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(14 March 2019) Army 'Big Six' Ramp Up in 2021: Learning From FCS
General Mark Milley, then Army Chief of Staff, helped establish the Army Futures Command. Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy played a major role in its development. Its first commander was General John Murray, formerly the Army's G-8. Over his tenure as Army Secretary, Esper led a process known as "night court", working with other top service officials, to free up and shift billions of dollars into modernization programs and based the new command in Austin, Texas, an area known for its innovative, technology-focused workforce.Jen Judso
(28 Aug 2018) Can Austin make the Army weird?
The Army gave the command's chief and the leaders of new groups, dubbed " § cross-functional teams", the authority to manage requirements and the leeway to direct dollars. At its founding, Futures Command was focused on six priorities:The capabilities as prioritized by the Chief of Staff, will use
BG Geoffrey Norman
... PEO Ground Combat Systems (GCS) # Vertical lift platforms—(Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama) Lead: BG Wally Rugen ... PEO Aviation (AVN) # Mobile and expeditionary (usable in ground combat) communications network (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland) ## Network Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence—Lead: BG Jeth Rey ... PEO Command Control Communications Tactical (C3T) ## Assured Position Navigation and Timing—(Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama) Lead: William B. Nelson, SES # Air and missile defense—(Fort Sill, Oklahoma) Lead: BG Brian Gibson, ... PEO Missiles and Space (M&S) # Soldier lethality ## Soldier Lethality—(Fort Moore, Georgia) Lead: BG Larry Q. Burris, Jr. ... PEO Soldier ## Synthetic Training Environment—(Orlando, Florida) Lead: BG William Glaser ... PEO Simulation, Training, & Instrumentation (STRI) # Contested logistics—(Huntsville, Alabama) Lead: Army Materiel Command (AMC) stood up in 2023 * Above, 'dotted line' relationship (i.e., coordination) is denoted by a ' ... ' Long-range precision fires, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Future Vertical Lift platforms, a mobile & expeditionary Army network, air and missile defense capabilities,MG Cedric T. Winsbr>(09.10.2019) CCDC'S road map to modernizing the Army: air and missile defense
DVIDS release
(10 September 2019)
Same CCDC text but with 3 more images. Fifth in a series. and soldier lethality. Murray announced plans to stand up an Army Applications LabSydney J. Freedberg Jr
Army Applications Lab
(23 October 2018) Army Futures Command Wants YOU (To Innovate)
* —Adam Jay Harrison's list for types of Funding Authority to accelerate acquisition and deployment of materiel to the soldiers, including by using
(10 Nov 2020) Artificial Intelligence and National Security
R45178 Murray also said he would hire a chief technology officer for AFC.Lauren C. William
(14 Sep 2018) Army Futures Command to set up DIU-like innovation lab
Ronald Sega, CTO for AFC, Starts 1 July 2019
Ronald M. SegaC5ISR A fundamental strategy was formulated, involving simultaneous integrated operations across domains.TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-1 (6 December 2018) The U.S. Army in Multi-Domain Operations 2028
"describes how US Army forces, as part of the Joint Force, will militarily compete, penetrate, dis-integrate, and exploit our adversaries in the future.
Link moved here
This strategy involves pushing adversaries to standoff, CRS Insigh
(IN11019) (17 January 2019) The U.S. Army and Multi-Domain Operations
Congressional Research Service (CRS) * Todd Sout
(11 August 2019) This 3-star Army general explains what multi-domain operations mean for you
"think, assess and employ all domains when necessary"—General WesleyYasmin Tadjde
(10/10/2018) Army to Focus on Defeating Enemies' Standoff Capabilities
Summary of standoff by presenting them with multiple simultaneous dilemmas.Sydney Freedberg, Jr
(14 January 2020) Army Chief Seeks 'Minimally Manned' Vehicles, Joint C2
LRPF, ITN, IBCS, FARA, FLRAA, and "We need a joint command and control system" —Army Chief of Staff James C. McConvilleSydney Freedberg, Jr
(2021) Army Chief To Navy, Air Force: We've Got 'Speed & Range'
"The future is all about range and speed" —Gen. McConville A goal is that by 2028, the ability to project rapid, responsive power across domains will have become apparent to potential adversaries.Chief of Staff paper #1, Headquarters, Department of the Arm
(16 March 2021) Army Multi-Domain Transformation: Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
Unclassified version by 40th Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. James C. McConvilleChief of Staff paper #
(1 March 2021) The Army in Military Competition
In 2018, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Futures Command would have three areas of focus:Sydney Freedberg, Jr
(26 March 2018) Army Outlines Futures Command; Org Chart In Flux
# Futures and Concepts: assess gaps (needs versus opportunities, given a threat). Concepts for realizable future systems (with readily harvestable content)Lt. Col. Thomas "Bull" Holland, PhD, U.S. Arm
(15 January 2019) Proposed Army Futures Command Process Tenets
# 'Scientific research is a fundamentally different activity than technology development'; # Incorporate 'scientific research into "Appendix C: Functional Concepts" and specify pathways for technology development'; # Buy into the 'fail fast' mentality; # '6.3-funded projects to produce knowledge (technical data) that can be consumed by requirements developers as opposed to PMs'; # Use 'evidence-based requirements process' (early hypothesis testing) with citations for evidence: #* All projects will be executed in no less than two increments. #* No new requirements once an increment is started. # Summary: 'advances on the battlefield requires comprehensive, coordinated changes in the entire acquisition system';The RAND Corporatio
(2000) ''Discovery and Innovation: Federal Research and Development in the Fifty States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico'' RAND MR1194 Appendix B: Government-Wide and DOD Definitions of R&D
See Appendix B p.615 for DOD Financial Management Regulation (Volume 2B, Chapter 5) will flow into TRADOC doctrine, manuals, and training programs. # Combat Development: stabilized concepts. Balance the current state of technology and the cash-flow requirements of the defense contractors providing the technology, that they become deliverable experiments, demonstrations, and prototypes, in an iterative process of acquisition.Neil Hollenbeck and Benjamin Jense
(6 December 2017) Why the Army needs a Futures Command
Enable a culture of experimentation, and develop concepts and technology together. (''See Value stream'') # Combat Systems: experiments, demonstrations, and prototypes. Transition to the acquisition, production, and sustainment programs of AMC. ASA(ALT)br>Weapon Systems Handbook 2018update
Army Secretary
(7 May 2018) Permanent Evolution: SecArmy Esper On Futures Command
What has changed or will change is the layers of command (operational control, or OPCON) needed to make a decision.
(19 July 2019) Army Futures Command fully operational, dinged by GAO on announcement
Sean Kimmons, Army News Service (11 July 2019) after an initial one-year period. The FY2020 military budget allocated $30 billion for the top six modernization priorities over next five years.Devon L. Suits, Army News Servic
Army (26 February 2019) FY20 budget proposal realigns $30 billion
The $30 billion came from $8 billion in cost avoidance and $22 billion in terminations.Sydney J Freedberg J
(29 May 2019) Army Big 6 Gets $10B More Over 2021-2025
More than 30 projects Michael A. Grinston, James C. McConville, and Ryan McCarthy (U.S. Army), Ryan McCarthy
(2019) 2019 Army Modernization Strategy
revision 7, CFTs' 31 signature effortsSydney J. Freedberg Jr.
(19 September 2019) Can Army Control Costs Of Its New Weapons?
Currently the Army has 692 programs of record were envisioned to become the materiel basis needed for
(11 January 2019) 12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019
in multi-domain operations ( MDO).MDO Challeng
(15 May 2019) *Start here* MDO 101
General explanation of multi-domain operations (MDO) for the layman From an initial 12 people at its headquarters in 2018, AFC grew to more than 17,000 peopleAmerica's Future Serie
(April 2023) GEN Mike Murray - Army Futures Command "What we got right"
across 25 states and 15 countries in 2019. research facilities and personnel (including ARCIC and RDECOM) moved from other commands and parts of the Army such as the
(2022) xTechSearch
The Army's ongoing search for capabilities The
COVID-19: Army Tries Prizes To Get Ventilator Tech ASAP
breakingdefense.com TRX Systems won an award for technology that allows navigation in a GPS-denied environment.
7 —Figure 3. Current Cross Functional Teams and Signature Efforts and the four rapid capability projects of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office would be fielded by fiscal year 2023.
(15 Sep 2022) Wormuth: Here are the 6 areas the Army must be prepared for in 2030
Christine Wormuth, 25th Secretary of the Arm
(10 Oct 2022) AUSA 2022 Opening Ceremony
hour 0:37:50 to 1:05:41 1) improved intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; 2) "Coordination at greater speed"; 3) "Win the Fires fight"; 4) concealmentPatrick Tucke
(14 Sep 2022) Ukraine War Offers Clues to Future War, Joint Chiefs Chairman Says
The Economis
(30 Nov 2022) What is the war in Ukraine teaching Western armies?
"It shows the importance of dispersal, firepower and stockpiles" via improved mobility and reduced signature; 5) "talk often and quickly"; and 6) logistics.Joe Lacdan, Army News Servic
(24 Oct 2022) Army of 2030: Collaboration key to Army modernization
US Army Public Affair
(10 Oct 2022) AUSA Contemporary Military Forum: Army 2030 - Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Fight
Gen. McConville, Gen.(Ret) Perkins, DepUnderSec Diaz, Gen. Rainey, LTG Beagle, Prof. Greer (SAMS)Caitlin Kenn
(10 Oct 2022) Divisions, Corps to Replace Brigades As Army's Wartime Formation Of Choice
"Brigades that operated largely independently in Iraq and Afghanistan will fight as part of larger units in future conflicts, officials said". Jen Judso
(29 Mar 2023) US Army has a 'gigantic problem' with logistics in the Indo-Pacific
AMC is lead, AFC sets requirements TRADO
(13 Apr 2022) The Operational Environment and the Changing Character of Warfare
TP 525-92 By 2022, Futures Command was conducting the third annual iteration of Project Convergence: experiments and joint tests of 300 technologies by the Defense Department and its allies and partners.Colin Demarest
(21 Oct 2022) Project Convergence shows JADC2 alignment, leaders from 3 services say
Interoperations "show the services are aligned and not disjointed".Jason Cutsha
(5 Dec 2022) Experiment demos Army space capabilities
to test 300 technologiesMegan Eckstein and Colin Demares
(8 Dec 2022) Project Overmatch: US Navy preps to deploy secretive multidomain tech
Jen Judso
(7 Feb 2023) Army sets sights on 2024 for next Project Convergence
Ashley Roqu
(8 Feb 2023) No Convergence in 2023: Army deliberating the path ahead for signature JADC2 exercise
In October 2022, Wormuth assigned AFC to work on "Army of 2040" concepts.Signa
(10 Oct 2022) The Army Takes an Extended View to 2040
Jaspreet Gil
(19 Oct 2022) As Project Convergence tries new 'tech gateways', 2 AI algorithms to transition to programs of record
Todd Army 2040Parth Sata
(15 Nov 2022) Decoding HIMARS' 'Design Philosophy', Latest Images Show Russia Could Be Analyzing Deadly US Rockets
Two months later, Futures Command hosted a conference with representatives from AMC, TRADOC, FORSCOM, and Headquarters Department of the Army.Maureena Thompson, Army Futures Comman
(3 January 2023) AFC hosts inaugural Army Future Readiness Conference
Jen Judso
(8 Feb 2023) New Futures Command chief shifts main effort to designing Army of 2040
John Ferrar
(2 Mar 2023) Congress can put Army modernization back on track
"AEI's John Ferrari asks five important questions that the Army needs to answer before committing to high-dollar procurments during its modernization push".Jen Judso
AFC to work with TRADOC AFC is leading the development of a new Army Operating Concept (v. 1.0) for the Army of 2030 to 2040.Jen Judso
(31 July 2023) Army Futures Command drafting next operating concept
Joe Lacdan, Army News Servic
(19 May 2023) LANPAC 2023: Army faces most 'disruptive' period since World War II
( Army creates new 'All-Domain Sensing' cross-functional team out of 'success' of PNT team
/ref> This CFT is built from the existing PNT (positioning, navigation, and tracking) CFT. ''See Combined JADC2''. The contested logistics CFT was stood up in 2023.Ashley Rocqu
(9 Oct 2023) Army’s contested logistics team close to ‘fully’ operational: General Rainey
/ref>
YouTube clip (7 December 2018) ARCIC Transition of Authority Ceremony 7 Dec 2018
to Futures and Concepts Center, AFC The first commander was AFC deputy commanding general General Eric J. Wesley,US Arm
(15 August 2018) Army Futures Command aims to tap into innovative culture in Austin and beyond
and it was led in 2021 by Lieutenant General Scott McKean. The center operates along four lines of effort: science and technology,As an example, any number of effects can be weaponized (see p.1 ''The New York Times'' 2 September 2018 "Invisible strikes may be cause of envoy's ills", describing the Microwave auditory effect), or else countered. Hypersonic vehicles are a countermeasure to ballistic missiles.BETSY WOODRUFF SWAN, ANDREW DESIDERIO, LARA SELIGMAN and ERIN BANC
(22 Apr 2021) Pentagon investigated suspected Russian directed-energy attacks on U.S. troops
experiments, concepts development,TRADOC Analysis Center
and requirements development. * Combat Development:Argie Sarantinos-Perrin, CCDC HQ Public Affair
(31 January 2019) RDECOM transitions to Army Futures Command
Sydney Freedber
(10 Dec 2018) US Army's Brain Transplant: Futurists Move To Futures Command
Helps AFC commander to assess and integrate the future operational environment, emerging threats, and technologies to develop and deliver concepts, requirements, and future force designs. ** The capability development integration directorate ( CDID) of each Center of Excellence, works with its CFT and its research, development and engineering center to develop operational experiments and prototypes to test. ** The Battle Labs and the Research Analysis Center prototype and analyze the concepts to test. ** The Joint Modernization Command (JMC) provides live developmental experiments to test those concepts or capabilities, "scalable from company level to corps, amid tough, realistic multi-domain operations".US Arm
(4 Sep 2018) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Robert Brown: State of the Pacific
** The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC, or DEVCOM), the former RDECOM, part of the Combat Development element. Stood up on 3 February 2019.CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(29 April 2019) Army selects senior research scientist for terminal ballistics
Fewer than 50 STs across the Army: An ST is a general-officer equivalent * U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laborator
(18 September 2019) Army research uncovers law-like progression of weapons technologies--from a crossbowman to a tank
* Jerome Aliotta (TARDEC
(6 September 2019) Army demos prototype manned fighting vehicle teamed with robotic combat vehicle platoon
* Argie R. Sarantinos Perrin, CCD
(30 September 2019) Army reform drives innovation at CCDC
* Acquisition and Systems (founded as Combat Systems in 2018): **Gen. Robert Abrams has tasked III Corps with providing soldier feedback for the Next Generation Combat Vehicles CFT, XVIII Corps for the soldier feedback on the soldier lethality CFT, the Network CFT, as well as the Synthetic Training CFT, and I Corps for the Long Range Precision Fires CFT.Myer
(27 March 2018) Abrams: Army units will be tasked to work on each of Futures Command's priorities
**Combat Systems refines, engineers, and produces the developed solutions from Combat Development.Arpi Dilanian and Matthew Howar
(18 July 2019) The Cheese Has Moved: An Interview With Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski
(7 Aug 2023) From petroleum pipes to pest problems, what a US Army 2-star learned from Talisman Sabre 23
The 2023 exercises for IndoPacom will test its prepositioned stocks.Ashley Roqu
(31 Mar 2023) Army to use Pacific Pathways to test assumptions about ‘contested logistics,’ prepositioned stocks
The CG of Army Materiel Command is taking the lead for contested logistics.Jen Judso
(31 Mar 2023) Army Materiel Command boss says logistics are key to future warfare
In 2018, McCarthy characterized a CFT as a team of teams, led by a requirements leader, program manager, sustainer and tester.Scott Maucion
(14 Sep 2018) Army leaders ask for trust in lieu of metrics for Futures Command
Some CFTs also have representatives of U.S. allies. Each CFT lead is mentored by a 4-star general. Each CFT can have a Capability Development Integration Directorate. For example, the Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, in coordination with the Aviation Program Executive Officer (PEO), contains the Vertical Lift CFT and the Aviation CDID. "We were never above probably a total of eight people", the Aviation CFT's Brigadier General Wally Rugen said in 2018. Four of the eight CFT leads have now shifted from dual-hat jobs to full-time status. Each CFT must strike a balance amid constraints—the realms of requirements, acquisition, science and technology, test, resourcing, costing, and sustainment—to produce a realizable concept before a competitor achieves it.US Arm
(6 Oct 2017) Army Directive 2017-24 (Cross-Functional Team Pilot In Support of Materiel Development)
The
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the primary Land warfare, land service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution.Article II, section 2, clause 1 of th ...
command
Command may refer to:
Computing
* Command (computing), a statement in a computer language
* command (Unix), a Unix command
* COMMAND.COM, the default operating system shell and command-line interpreter for DOS
* Command key, a modifier key on A ...
that runs modernization projects. It is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
The AFC began initial operations on 1 July 2018. It was created as a peer of Forces Command (FORSCOM), Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Army Materiel Command (AMC). While the other commands focus on readiness to "fight tonight", AFC aims to improve future readiness for competition with near-peers.Sébastien Robli(11 Oct. 2019) China's stealth drones and hypersonic missiles surpass—and threaten—the U.S.
* Binkov
(11 Oct 2019) New game changing weapons shown at Chinese military parade; October 2019
Binkov explains and animates Hypersonic glide trajectories for under-the-radar operation; Binkov estimates which weapons displays are mockups; Compares and contrasts Chinese, Russian, and US capabilities The AFC commander functions as the Army's chief modernization investment officer. It is supported by the United States Army Reserve Innovation Command ( 75th Innovation Command).
History
2018
Army Futures Command was established by Secretary of the Army Mark Esper to improve Army acquisition by creating better requirements and reducing the time to develop a system to meet them. Between 1995 and 2009, the Army spent $32 billion on programs such as the Future Combat SystemSydney J. Freedberg Jr(8 August 2014) Pentagon Struggles To Get Small-Biz Tech
: FCS misuse of OTA, other acquisition issues. that were later cancelled with no harvestable content. As of 2021, the Army had not fielded a new combat system in decades.Matthew Co
Arpi Dilanian and Matthew Howard Army.mi
Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(14 March 2019) Army 'Big Six' Ramp Up in 2021: Learning From FCS
General Mark Milley, then Army Chief of Staff, helped establish the Army Futures Command. Under Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy played a major role in its development. Its first commander was General John Murray, formerly the Army's G-8. Over his tenure as Army Secretary, Esper led a process known as "night court", working with other top service officials, to free up and shift billions of dollars into modernization programs and based the new command in Austin, Texas, an area known for its innovative, technology-focused workforce.Jen Judso
(28 Aug 2018) Can Austin make the Army weird?
The Army gave the command's chief and the leaders of new groups, dubbed " § cross-functional teams", the authority to manage requirements and the leeway to direct dollars. At its founding, Futures Command was focused on six priorities:The capabilities as prioritized by the Chief of Staff, will use
subject-matter expert
A subject-matter expert (SME) is a person who has accumulated great knowledge in a particular field or topic and this level of knowledge is demonstrated by the person's degree, licensure, and/or through years of professional experience with the su ...
s (SMEs) in the realms of requirements, acquisition, science and technology, test, resourcing, costing, and sustainment, using CFTs for:
# Improved long-range precision fires (artillery):—(Fort Sill, Oklahoma) Lead: BG John Rafferty ... PEO Ammunition (AMMO)
# Next Generation Combat Vehicle—(Detroit Arsenal, Warren, Michigan) LeadBG Geoffrey Norman
... PEO Ground Combat Systems (GCS) # Vertical lift platforms—(Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama) Lead: BG Wally Rugen ... PEO Aviation (AVN) # Mobile and expeditionary (usable in ground combat) communications network (Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland) ## Network Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence—Lead: BG Jeth Rey ... PEO Command Control Communications Tactical (C3T) ## Assured Position Navigation and Timing—(Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama) Lead: William B. Nelson, SES # Air and missile defense—(Fort Sill, Oklahoma) Lead: BG Brian Gibson, ... PEO Missiles and Space (M&S) # Soldier lethality ## Soldier Lethality—(Fort Moore, Georgia) Lead: BG Larry Q. Burris, Jr. ... PEO Soldier ## Synthetic Training Environment—(Orlando, Florida) Lead: BG William Glaser ... PEO Simulation, Training, & Instrumentation (STRI) # Contested logistics—(Huntsville, Alabama) Lead: Army Materiel Command (AMC) stood up in 2023 * Above, 'dotted line' relationship (i.e., coordination) is denoted by a ' ... ' Long-range precision fires, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Future Vertical Lift platforms, a mobile & expeditionary Army network, air and missile defense capabilities,MG Cedric T. Winsbr>(09.10.2019) CCDC'S road map to modernizing the Army: air and missile defense
DVIDS release
(10 September 2019)
Same CCDC text but with 3 more images. Fifth in a series. and soldier lethality. Murray announced plans to stand up an Army Applications LabSydney J. Freedberg Jr
Army Applications Lab
(23 October 2018) Army Futures Command Wants YOU (To Innovate)
* —Adam Jay Harrison's list for types of Funding Authority to accelerate acquisition and deployment of materiel to the soldiers, including by using
artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer, computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. It is a field of re ...
(AI).
Kelley M. Sayler, CR(10 Nov 2020) Artificial Intelligence and National Security
R45178 Murray also said he would hire a chief technology officer for AFC.Lauren C. William
(14 Sep 2018) Army Futures Command to set up DIU-like innovation lab
Ronald Sega, CTO for AFC, Starts 1 July 2019
Ronald M. SegaC5ISR A fundamental strategy was formulated, involving simultaneous integrated operations across domains.TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-1 (6 December 2018) The U.S. Army in Multi-Domain Operations 2028
"describes how US Army forces, as part of the Joint Force, will militarily compete, penetrate, dis-integrate, and exploit our adversaries in the future.
Link moved here
This strategy involves pushing adversaries to standoff, CRS Insigh
(IN11019) (17 January 2019) The U.S. Army and Multi-Domain Operations
Congressional Research Service (CRS) * Todd Sout
(11 August 2019) This 3-star Army general explains what multi-domain operations mean for you
"think, assess and employ all domains when necessary"—General WesleyYasmin Tadjde
(10/10/2018) Army to Focus on Defeating Enemies' Standoff Capabilities
Summary of standoff by presenting them with multiple simultaneous dilemmas.Sydney Freedberg, Jr
(14 January 2020) Army Chief Seeks 'Minimally Manned' Vehicles, Joint C2
LRPF, ITN, IBCS, FARA, FLRAA, and "We need a joint command and control system" —Army Chief of Staff James C. McConvilleSydney Freedberg, Jr
(2021) Army Chief To Navy, Air Force: We've Got 'Speed & Range'
"The future is all about range and speed" —Gen. McConville A goal is that by 2028, the ability to project rapid, responsive power across domains will have become apparent to potential adversaries.Chief of Staff paper #1, Headquarters, Department of the Arm
(16 March 2021) Army Multi-Domain Transformation: Ready to Win in Competition and Conflict
Unclassified version by 40th Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. James C. McConvilleChief of Staff paper #
(1 March 2021) The Army in Military Competition
In 2018, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy said Futures Command would have three areas of focus:Sydney Freedberg, Jr
(26 March 2018) Army Outlines Futures Command; Org Chart In Flux
# Futures and Concepts: assess gaps (needs versus opportunities, given a threat). Concepts for realizable future systems (with readily harvestable content)Lt. Col. Thomas "Bull" Holland, PhD, U.S. Arm
(15 January 2019) Proposed Army Futures Command Process Tenets
# 'Scientific research is a fundamentally different activity than technology development'; # Incorporate 'scientific research into "Appendix C: Functional Concepts" and specify pathways for technology development'; # Buy into the 'fail fast' mentality; # '6.3-funded projects to produce knowledge (technical data) that can be consumed by requirements developers as opposed to PMs'; # Use 'evidence-based requirements process' (early hypothesis testing) with citations for evidence: #* All projects will be executed in no less than two increments. #* No new requirements once an increment is started. # Summary: 'advances on the battlefield requires comprehensive, coordinated changes in the entire acquisition system';The RAND Corporatio
(2000) ''Discovery and Innovation: Federal Research and Development in the Fifty States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico'' RAND MR1194 Appendix B: Government-Wide and DOD Definitions of R&D
See Appendix B p.615 for DOD Financial Management Regulation (Volume 2B, Chapter 5) will flow into TRADOC doctrine, manuals, and training programs. # Combat Development: stabilized concepts. Balance the current state of technology and the cash-flow requirements of the defense contractors providing the technology, that they become deliverable experiments, demonstrations, and prototypes, in an iterative process of acquisition.Neil Hollenbeck and Benjamin Jense
(6 December 2017) Why the Army needs a Futures Command
Enable a culture of experimentation, and develop concepts and technology together. (''See Value stream'') # Combat Systems: experiments, demonstrations, and prototypes. Transition to the acquisition, production, and sustainment programs of AMC. ASA(ALT)br>Weapon Systems Handbook 2018
Mark Esper
Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is an American politician and manufacturing/high-tech executive who served as the 27th United States secretary of defense from 2019 to 2020. A member of the Republican Party, he had previously served as ...
said that the 2018 administrative infrastructure for the Futures and Concepts Center (formerly ARCIC) and United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC, now called DEVCOM, (formerly RDECOM)) remains in place at their existing locations.Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr(7 May 2018) Permanent Evolution: SecArmy Esper On Futures Command
What has changed or will change is the layers of command (operational control, or OPCON) needed to make a decision.
2019
AFC declared its full operational capability in July 2019,Scott Maucion(19 July 2019) Army Futures Command fully operational, dinged by GAO on announcement
Sean Kimmons, Army News Service (11 July 2019) after an initial one-year period. The FY2020 military budget allocated $30 billion for the top six modernization priorities over next five years.Devon L. Suits, Army News Servic
Army (26 February 2019) FY20 budget proposal realigns $30 billion
The $30 billion came from $8 billion in cost avoidance and $22 billion in terminations.Sydney J Freedberg J
(29 May 2019) Army Big 6 Gets $10B More Over 2021-2025
More than 30 projects Michael A. Grinston, James C. McConville, and Ryan McCarthy (U.S. Army), Ryan McCarthy
(2019) 2019 Army Modernization Strategy
revision 7, CFTs' 31 signature effortsSydney J. Freedberg Jr.
(19 September 2019) Can Army Control Costs Of Its New Weapons?
Currently the Army has 692 programs of record were envisioned to become the materiel basis needed for
overmatch
Overmatch is a concept in modern military thinking which prizes having overwhelming advantages over an adversary to a more significant margin than in traditional warfare. It is related to military superiority. Overmatch uses a military force's "c ...
ing any potential competitors in the 'conflict continuum, continuum of conflict' over the next ten yearsSydney J. Freedberg Jr(11 January 2019) 12 Moments Of Truth For Army Modernization In 2019
in multi-domain operations ( MDO).MDO Challeng
(15 May 2019) *Start here* MDO 101
General explanation of multi-domain operations (MDO) for the layman From an initial 12 people at its headquarters in 2018, AFC grew to more than 17,000 peopleAmerica's Future Serie
(April 2023) GEN Mike Murray - Army Futures Command "What we got right"
across 25 states and 15 countries in 2019. research facilities and personnel (including ARCIC and RDECOM) moved from other commands and parts of the Army such as the
United States Army Research Laboratory
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) is the foundational research laboratory for the United States Army under the United States Army Futures Command (AFC). DEVCOM ARL conducts intramural an ...
.
2020
ASA(ALT) Bruce Jette started xTechsearch to reward private innovators.Futures Comman(2022) xTechSearch
The Army's ongoing search for capabilities The
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
led the Army to run an Ventilator
A ventilator is a type of breathing apparatus, a class of medical technology that provides mechanical ventilation by moving breathable air into and out of the lungs, to deliver breaths to a patient who is physically unable to breathe, or breathi ...
Challenge.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. (13 April 2020)COVID-19: Army Tries Prizes To Get Ventilator Tech ASAP
breakingdefense.com TRX Systems won an award for technology that allows navigation in a GPS-denied environment.
2021
On 13 October 2021, Army officials said most of AFC's 31 signature systems,Grinston, McConville, and McCarthy (2019) 2019 Army Modernization Strategy: Investing in the future7 —Figure 3. Current Cross Functional Teams and Signature Efforts and the four rapid capability projects of the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office would be fielded by fiscal year 2023.
2022
In 2022, Army leaders projected that 24 of the top-35 priority modernization programs would be deployed by fiscal 2023. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth announced the top six areas for the Army of 2030:Andrew Eversde(15 Sep 2022) Wormuth: Here are the 6 areas the Army must be prepared for in 2030
Christine Wormuth, 25th Secretary of the Arm
(10 Oct 2022) AUSA 2022 Opening Ceremony
hour 0:37:50 to 1:05:41 1) improved intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; 2) "Coordination at greater speed"; 3) "Win the Fires fight"; 4) concealmentPatrick Tucke
(14 Sep 2022) Ukraine War Offers Clues to Future War, Joint Chiefs Chairman Says
The Economis
(30 Nov 2022) What is the war in Ukraine teaching Western armies?
"It shows the importance of dispersal, firepower and stockpiles" via improved mobility and reduced signature; 5) "talk often and quickly"; and 6) logistics.Joe Lacdan, Army News Servic
(24 Oct 2022) Army of 2030: Collaboration key to Army modernization
US Army Public Affair
(10 Oct 2022) AUSA Contemporary Military Forum: Army 2030 - Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Fight
Gen. McConville, Gen.(Ret) Perkins, DepUnderSec Diaz, Gen. Rainey, LTG Beagle, Prof. Greer (SAMS)Caitlin Kenn
(10 Oct 2022) Divisions, Corps to Replace Brigades As Army's Wartime Formation Of Choice
"Brigades that operated largely independently in Iraq and Afghanistan will fight as part of larger units in future conflicts, officials said". Jen Judso
(29 Mar 2023) US Army has a 'gigantic problem' with logistics in the Indo-Pacific
AMC is lead, AFC sets requirements TRADO
(13 Apr 2022) The Operational Environment and the Changing Character of Warfare
TP 525-92 By 2022, Futures Command was conducting the third annual iteration of Project Convergence: experiments and joint tests of 300 technologies by the Defense Department and its allies and partners.Colin Demarest
(21 Oct 2022) Project Convergence shows JADC2 alignment, leaders from 3 services say
Interoperations "show the services are aligned and not disjointed".Jason Cutsha
(5 Dec 2022) Experiment demos Army space capabilities
to test 300 technologiesMegan Eckstein and Colin Demares
(8 Dec 2022) Project Overmatch: US Navy preps to deploy secretive multidomain tech
Jen Judso
(7 Feb 2023) Army sets sights on 2024 for next Project Convergence
Ashley Roqu
(8 Feb 2023) No Convergence in 2023: Army deliberating the path ahead for signature JADC2 exercise
In October 2022, Wormuth assigned AFC to work on "Army of 2040" concepts.Signa
(10 Oct 2022) The Army Takes an Extended View to 2040
Jaspreet Gil
(19 Oct 2022) As Project Convergence tries new 'tech gateways', 2 AI algorithms to transition to programs of record
Todd Army 2040Parth Sata
(15 Nov 2022) Decoding HIMARS' 'Design Philosophy', Latest Images Show Russia Could Be Analyzing Deadly US Rockets
Two months later, Futures Command hosted a conference with representatives from AMC, TRADOC, FORSCOM, and Headquarters Department of the Army.Maureena Thompson, Army Futures Comman
(3 January 2023) AFC hosts inaugural Army Future Readiness Conference
Jen Judso
(8 Feb 2023) New Futures Command chief shifts main effort to designing Army of 2040
John Ferrar
(2 Mar 2023) Congress can put Army modernization back on track
"AEI's John Ferrari asks five important questions that the Army needs to answer before committing to high-dollar procurments during its modernization push".Jen Judso
AFC to work with TRADOC AFC is leading the development of a new Army Operating Concept (v. 1.0) for the Army of 2030 to 2040.Jen Judso
(31 July 2023) Army Futures Command drafting next operating concept
Joe Lacdan, Army News Servic
(19 May 2023) LANPAC 2023: Army faces most 'disruptive' period since World War II
2024
The 'All-domain sensing cross-functional team' (CFT) is standing up to support the plethora of data coming from data sources across the joint and combined services, allies, and partners.Ashley Rocqu( Army creates new 'All-Domain Sensing' cross-functional team out of 'success' of PNT team
/ref> This CFT is built from the existing PNT (positioning, navigation, and tracking) CFT. ''See Combined JADC2''. The contested logistics CFT was stood up in 2023.Ashley Rocqu
(9 Oct 2023) Army’s contested logistics team close to ‘fully’ operational: General Rainey
/ref>
Organization
The commanding general is assisted by three deputy commanders. * The Futures and Concepts Center:Army Futures CommanYouTube clip (7 December 2018) ARCIC Transition of Authority Ceremony 7 Dec 2018
to Futures and Concepts Center, AFC The first commander was AFC deputy commanding general General Eric J. Wesley,US Arm
(15 August 2018) Army Futures Command aims to tap into innovative culture in Austin and beyond
and it was led in 2021 by Lieutenant General Scott McKean. The center operates along four lines of effort: science and technology,As an example, any number of effects can be weaponized (see p.1 ''The New York Times'' 2 September 2018 "Invisible strikes may be cause of envoy's ills", describing the Microwave auditory effect), or else countered. Hypersonic vehicles are a countermeasure to ballistic missiles.BETSY WOODRUFF SWAN, ANDREW DESIDERIO, LARA SELIGMAN and ERIN BANC
(22 Apr 2021) Pentagon investigated suspected Russian directed-energy attacks on U.S. troops
experiments, concepts development,TRADOC Analysis Center
and requirements development. * Combat Development:Argie Sarantinos-Perrin, CCDC HQ Public Affair
(31 January 2019) RDECOM transitions to Army Futures Command
Sydney Freedber
(10 Dec 2018) US Army's Brain Transplant: Futurists Move To Futures Command
Helps AFC commander to assess and integrate the future operational environment, emerging threats, and technologies to develop and deliver concepts, requirements, and future force designs. ** The capability development integration directorate ( CDID) of each Center of Excellence, works with its CFT and its research, development and engineering center to develop operational experiments and prototypes to test. ** The Battle Labs and the Research Analysis Center prototype and analyze the concepts to test. ** The Joint Modernization Command (JMC) provides live developmental experiments to test those concepts or capabilities, "scalable from company level to corps, amid tough, realistic multi-domain operations".US Arm
(4 Sep 2018) U.S. Army Pacific Commander Gen. Robert Brown: State of the Pacific
** The Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC, or DEVCOM), the former RDECOM, part of the Combat Development element. Stood up on 3 February 2019.CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(29 April 2019) Army selects senior research scientist for terminal ballistics
Fewer than 50 STs across the Army: An ST is a general-officer equivalent * U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laborator
(18 September 2019) Army research uncovers law-like progression of weapons technologies--from a crossbowman to a tank
* Jerome Aliotta (TARDEC
(6 September 2019) Army demos prototype manned fighting vehicle teamed with robotic combat vehicle platoon
* Argie R. Sarantinos Perrin, CCD
(30 September 2019) Army reform drives innovation at CCDC
* Acquisition and Systems (founded as Combat Systems in 2018): **Gen. Robert Abrams has tasked III Corps with providing soldier feedback for the Next Generation Combat Vehicles CFT, XVIII Corps for the soldier feedback on the soldier lethality CFT, the Network CFT, as well as the Synthetic Training CFT, and I Corps for the Long Range Precision Fires CFT.Myer
(27 March 2018) Abrams: Army units will be tasked to work on each of Futures Command's priorities
**Combat Systems refines, engineers, and produces the developed solutions from Combat Development.Arpi Dilanian and Matthew Howar
(18 July 2019) The Cheese Has Moved: An Interview With Lt. Gen. Paul Ostrowski
Cross-functional teams
When AFC was created in 2018, it was given eight cross-functional teams, or CFTs: one for each of the Army's six modernization priorities, and two others for broader capabilities. These teams are Long-Range Precision Fires, Next-Generation Combat Vehicles, Future Vertical Lift, the Network to include Precision Navigation and Timing, Air-and-Missile Defense, Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment. In 2023, the Army announced that it would create a ninth team, for Contested Logistics.Ashley Rocque(7 Aug 2023) From petroleum pipes to pest problems, what a US Army 2-star learned from Talisman Sabre 23
The 2023 exercises for IndoPacom will test its prepositioned stocks.Ashley Roqu
(31 Mar 2023) Army to use Pacific Pathways to test assumptions about ‘contested logistics,’ prepositioned stocks
The CG of Army Materiel Command is taking the lead for contested logistics.Jen Judso
(31 Mar 2023) Army Materiel Command boss says logistics are key to future warfare
In 2018, McCarthy characterized a CFT as a team of teams, led by a requirements leader, program manager, sustainer and tester.Scott Maucion
(14 Sep 2018) Army leaders ask for trust in lieu of metrics for Futures Command
Some CFTs also have representatives of U.S. allies. Each CFT lead is mentored by a 4-star general. Each CFT can have a Capability Development Integration Directorate. For example, the Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, in coordination with the Aviation Program Executive Officer (PEO), contains the Vertical Lift CFT and the Aviation CDID. "We were never above probably a total of eight people", the Aviation CFT's Brigadier General Wally Rugen said in 2018. Four of the eight CFT leads have now shifted from dual-hat jobs to full-time status. Each CFT must strike a balance amid constraints—the realms of requirements, acquisition, science and technology, test, resourcing, costing, and sustainment—to produce a realizable concept before a competitor achieves it.US Arm
(6 Oct 2017) Army Directive 2017-24 (Cross-Functional Team Pilot In Support of Materiel Development)
The
Army Requirements Oversight Council
The United States Army Acquisition Corps (AAC) is the officer / NCO corps of the United States Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), a branch which includes civilians, officers, and NCOs.Headquarters, Department of the Army
(29 Jun 2021) Army Regulation 71–9 Force Management. Warfighting Capabilities Determination
°1-6c, p.1) tasks for CG,AFC; °2-24 p.13) CG,AFC is a principal member of AROC, with 43 duties ''a through qq''; °3-1 ch.3 pp20-21) AROC is a forum for requirements decisions (RDF); °4-1 p.24) CG,AFC is responsible for force design; °6-4 p39) figure 6-1 Deliberate staffing and review process; ''figures for more staffing and review processes follow.''Research, Development, and Acquisitio
AR 71–9 (2009) Warfighting Capabilities Determination
Aug 15, 2019 updateResearch, Development, and Acquisitio
(22 Jul 2011) Army Acquisition Policy
AR 70-1Jared Serb
(11 Mar 2016) Army puts its chief of staff 'at the center' of acquisition decisions
USAASC, Army ALT Magazine, Best Practice
(16 February 2018) A Model and Process for Transitioning Urgent Acquisition
- USAASC (United States Army Acquisition Corps) as response to Congressional oversight, budgeting, funding, policy, and authorization for action.Jen Judson
(6 Sep 2022) Futures Command faces identity crisis as Army shifts mission
AFC and the CFTs are expected to unify control of the Army' s $30 billion modernization budget.Sydney Freedber
(29 August 2018) Army Futures Command: $100M, 500 Staff, & Access To Top Leaders
ARL (29 Jun 2021) Army program introduces new software for robot autonomy
AIMM ERP (Artificial Intelligence for Maneuver and Mobility Essential Research Program) "We will come to you. You don't have to come to us," Murray said on 24 August 2018",Sean Kimmons Multiple incubator tech hubs are available in Austin, especially Capital Factory, with offices of Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and AFWERX (USAF tech hub). AFC will work with other organizations such as Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) as needed.
(10 August 2018) UT regents give Army's Futures Command free use of space temporarily
AFC personnel also operate in and from dozens of military installations around the country, including:
* AFSG Army Future Studies Group, 2530 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
* AFC Futures and Concepts Center, formerly ARCIC Fort Eustis VA
* JMC Joint Modernization Command,
(2020) Breaking Doctrine: Episode 14 - Transitioning the Army to MDO
1:02:44 How a Concept becomes Doctrine at TRADOC Combined Arms Center,
4 chapters. See also ADP 3-0; ADP 6-22; FM 6-22; ADP 1-1; and ADP 5-0Todd Sout
(13 September 2019) Massive simulation shows the need for speed in multi-domain ops
"400 participants working with 55 formations, 64 concepts and 150 capabilities" Capability development integration directorate (CDID), The Research Analysis Center (TRAC), formerly TRADOC Analysis Center,
(14 January 2019) Virtual battlefield represents future of training
Training as a service; more content at scale needed.Army ALT Magazine (29 January 2019) THEN AND NOW: TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE
critique The HQ for STE has opened in Orlando (28 January 2019).Jen Judso
(17 May 2019) US Army's jumping to the next level in virtual training
reconfigurable virtual collective trainers (RVCTs) * CCOE Cyber CoE - (its CDID and Battle Lab), Fort Eisenhower GA ** CFT: Mobile and Expeditionary Network * MCOE Maneuver CoE - (its CDID and Battle Lab),
(30 Jan 2023) Fires CDID: Supporting war-winning future readiness
Col. Yi Se Gwon, Fort Sill ''Fires Bulletin'' (September–October 2018) The Army Multi-Domain Targeting CenterArmy Multi-Domain Targeting Center (16 July 2019) Target Mensuration Only
TMO Doctrine updates to support strategic fires
with more than 90 tenant organizationsPEO Command Control Communications - Tactical (PEO C3T
(12 September 2018) ASA(ALT) MilDep talks APG's role in Futures Command
Paul Ostrowski is PMILDEP to ASA(ALT)
(17 November 2017) Army's PNT programs transition to PEO IEW&S
Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affair
(19 November 2019) C5ISR Center hosts CCDC commander for town hall, lab tours
"a renewed emphasis on collaboration across CCDC's eight research centers" (the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center was formerly CERDEC) ** CFT: Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT)Andrew Eversde
(25 Oct 2021) Army Seeks 'Cutting Edge' Network-Aided PNT Technologies For Battle
* Army Applications La
(19 Oct 2021) Broad Agency Announcement Special Notice W911NF-19-S-0004 Network Aided Position Navigation and Timing solutions for dismounted Soldiers
Theresa Hitchen
(1 Nov 2021) Sandia's Atomic 'Avocado' Could Allow GPS-Free PNT
Tobias Naegel
(27 Nov 2022) Q&A: The New Chief of Space Operations on Empowering the Force
"one B-2 hits 80 independent targets because of GPS".—Gen. B.Chance Saltzman, Space Force ** CFT: Network CFT (N-CFT) ** CFT: Long Range Precision Fires, * CCDC Armaments Center (formerly Armament research, development and engineering center—ARDEC),
RCCTO- About us
* * Lee Roo
** CFT: Air and Missile Defense * CCDC Soldier CenterThomas Brading, Army News Servic
(23 August 2019) Soldiers 'at the heart of' modernizing warfighter gear
(formerly Natick Soldier research, development and engineering center—NSRDEC), General Greene Ave, Natick, MA * Army Research Laboratory (ARL),Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(25 February 2019) Army-funded researcher wins Nobel Prize
Argie Sarantinos-Perrin, CCD
(21 August 2019) Army develops cold spray technology to repair Bradley gun mounts
Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Adelphi MD * ARL-Orlando Army Research Laboratory, Orlando FL * ARL West, Playa Vista CA * ARL-RTP Army Research Laboratory, Raleigh-Durham NC * AI task force at
(12 February 2019) SUMMARY OF THE 2018 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
Ashton Carte
(2012-11-21) Autonomy in Weapon Systems
Most recent DoD guideline: 2012Army AI task forc
Army Directive 2018-18 (Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force in Support of the Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center)
2 October 2018Terri Moon Cronk The Army AI task force establish scalable machine learning projects at Carnegie Mellon University.Gary Sheftic
(13 August 2019) AI Task Force taking giant leaps forward
Coordinating with: NREC, Talent management task force, the CFTs, and DOD's Joint AI Center That same year, the Army Applications Laboratory was established along with AFC to help connect Army-future efforts and commercial products and ideas. In 2019, the Army CIO/G-6 was ordered to create an Identity, Credential, and Access Management system to efficiently issue and verify credentials to non-person entities (AI agents and machines)Douglas Scot
(6 August 2019) New wearable authentication more than a "token" gesture
Tactical Identity and Access Management (TIDAM) ''see Army AI task force (A-AI TF)'' As well, DCS G-2 will coordinate with CG AFC, and director of A-AI TF, to provide intelligence for Long-Range Precision Fires. CG AMC will provide functional expertise and systems for maintenance of materiel with AI. AFC and A-AI TF will establish an AI test bed for experimentation, training, deployment, and testing of machine learning capabilities and workflows.U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(27 February 2020) Army researchers enhance AI critical to Soldier-machine teamwork
Explainability & tellability: coalition situational understanding (CSU) & human-agent knowledge fusion (HAKF) *Alun Preece, Dave Braines, Federico Cerutti, Tien Pha
(16 Oct 2019) Explainable AI for Intelligence Augmentation in Multi-Domain Operations
RDECOM Research Laboratory Public Affair
(18 December 2018) Black Hawk helicopter pilot interns with Army researchers
Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(11 September 2020) JAIC Wants AI 'Victory Gardens' Across DoD
In 2022, DEVCOM Analysis Center (DAC) signed a cooperative agreement with Northeastern University's Kostas Research Institute (KRI) to build on KRI's analytic framework, with six other universities on artificial intelligence and assistive automation (AI/AA), to further Army sub-goals ("mission effectiveness analysis, ontology for decision making, automatic target recognition, human systems integration, cyber resilience/electronic warfare threat defense, and assessing autonomous maneuver/mobility").Kaylan Hutchison, DAC Strategic Communication
(22 Jun 2022) Collaborative agreement propels Army analysis of artificial intelligence
(27 May 2022) Software Factory helps transform Army from industrial to information age
16-week boot camp. Four different tracks (platform engineer, software developer, product manager and designer). Anyone (soldier or Army civilian) can submit a problem to the Factory; A team interviews the problem, performs an initial scoping, and then decides whether to accept the problem to work on.Lindsay Grant
(25 May 2022) New Army application enhances equipment readiness
PMCS app developed by first cohort in ASF; allows soldiers to gain access to field manuals without a CAC card, using only a cell phone.USAF Assistant Secretary of Acquisition, Chief Software Offic
(19 Dec 2019) SpaceCAMP
USAF Software Factory Like the Training with Industry program, participants are expected to take these practices back with them, to influence other Army people in their future assignments, and to build up the Army's capability in software development. The training program lasts three years, and will produce skill sets for trainees as product managers, user experience and user interface designers, software engineers, or platform engineers. The Al Work Force Development program and this Software Factory will complement the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.AI TF Artificial Intelligence Task Force
*US Arm
Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force (31 August 2020) AFC: Growing an AI-ready workforce
*U.S. ARMY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TASK FORCE
(Nov 2019) U.S. ARMY FUTURES COMMAND, AREAS OF INTEREST
The Army has identified soldiers who can already code at Ph.D.-level, but who are in unexpected MOSs.Colin Clar
(8 Aug 2021) Wormuth Hints At Cuts To 35 Core Army Modernization Programs
In March 2023 the Marine Corps moved its software factory to the Army's software factory in Austin, Texas.Jaspreet Gil
(10 March 2023) Marines teaming with Army on 3-year software factory pilot
technical accelerator; 3 year pilot is to build applications; at least 50 Marines; 8 to enter the technical accelerator every 6 months; each of them in a program to accelerate modernization as product managers, designers, or software developers. The teams will learn baseline skillsets using pair programming for one-on-one mentoring, and utilization. ; Data The Army looks for ideas from defense contractors In 2018, for example, the Network CFT and the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications—Tactical (PEO C3T) hosted a forum so vendors could learn what products might soon work as testable or deployable systems.David Vergu
(29 March 2018) Army network modernization efforts spearheaded by new Cross-Functional Teams. The Army conducts a network demonstration at Fort Bliss, Texas. The Army is pursuing network modernization through Cross-Functional Teams.
US Arm
(27 June 2018) U.S. Army to host tactical Cloud computing industry forum
army.milKathryn Bailey, PEO C3T Public Affair
(26 November 2019) The Army gathers industry to inspire network modernization
Network Cross-Functional Team (N-CFT) and PEO C3T hosted 670 industry partners at the Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM) 4, Capability Set (CS) 23. www.army.milNathan Strou
(30 Nov 2019) Can hundreds of unrelated satellites create a GPS backup?
Vendors submitted hundreds of white papers; ones with "very mature ideas" were passed to the Army's acquisition community and to the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC). The Army is interested in ways to accelerate acquisition programs. For example, this was an explicit request in the 2019 solicitation for requests for information about Future Vertical Lift.Jen Judso
(4 April 2019) US Army plans to field a future long-range assault helicopter by 2030
FLRAA * RFI posted on the Federal Business Opportunities, 4 April * Contract award: fourth quarter of FY21 * preliminary design review (PDR) second quarter of FY23 * first flight in the third quarter of FY24 * critical design review (CDR) in the fourth quarter of FY24 * fielding to first unit in second quarter of FY30 In January 2020, the optionally manned fighting vehicle solicitation was cancelled when its requirements added up to an unobtainable project;Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(21 January 2020) Army 'Fully Committed To Replacing The Bradley': Gen. McConville
Bradley fighting vehicle replacement is still a project * Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(23 January 2020) Bradley Replacement: Did Army Ask For 'Unobtainium'?
* U.S. Army Public Affair
(16 January 2020) Army decides to cancel current OMFV solicitation
* U.S. Army Public Affair
(7 February 2020) Army aggressively moves forward on OMFV, seeks industry input on path forward
"We are not releasing a prescribed set of requirements -- we are describing the problem set and giving industry the freedom to be creative and innovative in their approach" —Gen. John (Mike) Murray * Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
(26 February 2020) OMFV: Army Seeks Industry Advice On Bradley Replacement
;Robotic combat vehicles
By October 2021, experiments with a company-sized tele-operated / unmanned formation were underway at Camp Grayling, Michigan.Andrew Eversde
(22 Nov 2021) Robotic vehicles, drones coordinate recon at Army's Project Convergence 21
Ben Watson
(6 May 2022) Defense One Radio, Ep. 99: The role of drones in Russia's Ukraine invasion
Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(19 Mar 2021) Army Outlines Ambitious Schedule For Robots, Armor
The 18 light and medium robotic combat vehicles (RCV), in concert with surrogate heavy RCVs (modified
(9 Sep 2022) The Army's top officer discusses the future of the force and how the six-month-old Ukraine invasion is evolving.
LTG Scott McKeanArmy Futures Comman
(19 Sep 2022) Project Convergence 2022 to demonstrate futuristic joint, multinational warfighting technologies
inaugural PC22 Technology GatewayJoe Lacdan, Army News Service
(21 Sep 2022) Army to test robotic vehicles on land and sea during PC 22
AFC's McKean: JADC2 experiment to reach from continental US to Pacific: 1) establish an IAMD; 2) use Joint offensive fires; 3) examine which authorities and policies hinder the mission In May 2023, Army Futures Command disclosed concepts for robotic combat platoons,Max Boo
(28 May 2023) Opinion: An Army command like no other seeks to master the future of war
akin to the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) of the Air Force.AUSA 2023 Warriors Corner: BG Stephanie Ahern, moderato
(9 Oct 2023) Human Machine Integrated Formations panel
First fielding 2028
(8 October 2018) ASA(ALT) Participates in U.S. Army Futures Command Panel at AUSA
Matthew Co
who as Army Acquisition Executive (AAE),Army Directive 2018-15 (U.S. Army Futures Command Relationship With the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)
and DCS G-8, 27 August 2018 has milestone decision authority (MDA)Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
(13 Sep 2018) Futures Command Won't Hurt Oversight, Army Tells Congress
Jaspreet Gil
(4 May 2022) EXCLUSIVE: New Army directive shakes up modernization enterprise
at multiple points in a materiel development decision (MDD). AFC consolidates expertise into the relevant CFT, which balances the constraints needed to realize a prototype, beginning with requirements, science and technology, test, etc., then enters the acquisition process (typically the Army prototypes on its own and, as of 2019, initiates acquisition at Milestone B in order to have the Acquisition Executive, with the concurrence of the Army Chief of Staff, decide on production as a
"US Army turns to new technologies"
linkedin.com over 1,200 programs/projects were reviewed; by October 2019, over 600 programs of record had been moved from the acquisition phase to the sustainment phase. An additional life cycle management action is underway, to re-examine which of these projects or programs should be cancelled. Futures Command picks which programs to develop.Anthony Small Each CFT works with the Army Acquisition Corps,Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
ASA(ALT)
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Org Chart as of May 2020
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February 2020
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11/5/19
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Org Chart as of 11/26/18
Jacqueline M. Hames, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (31 January 2020) TWI: worth it
Training with Industry: a work-experience program for Army Acquisition officers (from captain to lieutenant colonel). "After their TWI rotation, officers are expected to identify industry best practices and implement them at their next duty station" U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), and
(19 September 2018) With new Army Futures Command, senior acquisition leader discusses role of Program Executive Offices
The PEOs work closely with their respective CFTs. Operationally, the CFTs reduce degrees of separation between Army echelons, and provide a point of contact for Army reformers.
(3 April 2019) Army 'Shark Tank' enabling quick prototyping of new systems
) meant to find and discard unrealistic requirements before a project becomes a program. "Our new approach is really to prototype as much as we can to help us identify requirements, so our reach doesn't exceed our grasp. ... A good example is Future Vertical Lift: The prototyping has been exceptional," Esper said in 2019.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(24 January 2019) Bell V-280 Flies 322 MPH: Army Secretary Praises Program
AFC activities include at least one cross-functional team, its capability development integration directorate (CDID), and the associated Battle Lab, for each Army Center of Excellence. Each CDID and associated Battle Lab work with their CFT to develop operational experiments and prototypes to test. ASA(ALT), in coordination with AFC, has dotted-line relationships between its PEOs and the CFTs. In particular, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office of ASA(ALT) has a PEO to develop experimental prototype "units of action" for rapid fielding. In June 2019, the prototypes were for long-range hypersonic weapons, high-energy laser defense, and space,Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Offic
(14 June 2019) Partnering for speed: Army rapid prototyping office hosts industry open house
Clark, Coli
(2019-05-24) Army Moves Out On Lasers, Hypersonics: Lt. Gen. Thurgood
Jen Judso
(13 March 2019) Army Rapid Capabilities Office is getting a new name and mission
The Army tripled its spending on speed and range capabilities from 2017 to 2019. CFTs and PEOs order up tests run by JMC and
Army General order G.O.2018-10
Army Directive 2017-33 (Enabling the Army Modernization Task Force) (7 November 2017)
References Decker-Wagner 2011 CCDC is focusing on long-range precision fires the six RDECs and the
(25 September 2018) RDECOM's road map to modernizing the Army: Long-range precision fires
First in a series with ARDEC. AMRDEC is looking to improve the energetics and efficiency of projectiles. TARDEC Ground Vehicle Center is working on high-voltage components for extended range cannon artillery that save on size and weight. Two dedicated RDECOM people support the LRPF CFT, with reachback support from two dozen more at RDECOM. In January 2019, RDECOM was renamed CCDC; General Murray noted that CCDC will have to support more soldier feedback, and that prototyping and testing will have to begin before a project ever becomes a program of record.Freedberg, Jr
(31 Jan 2019) Army Completes Biggest Reorg In 45 Years: Can Futures Command End Weapons Disasters?
"... another thing we've not done very well—is doing the prototyping and experimentation with soldiers from the beginning, so we got soldier input into a program before it ever becomes a program of record" —Gen. 'Mike' Murray Acquisition specialists are being encouraged to accept lateral transfers to RDECs where their skills are needed: Ground Vehicle Systems Center (formerly TARDEC, at Detroit Arsenal. Michigan), Aviation and Missile Center (formerly AMRDEC, at
DVIDS video of panelists Gen. Murray, Sec. McCarthy, Dr. Jette, and Trae StephensTrae Stephens
(6 Jun 2022) Rebooting the arsenal of democracy
4 principles for the new defense companiesFederal News Radi
Army has picked a location for its new Futures Command, but now comes the hard part
Scott R. Gourley (Friday, 13 January 2017) CLOSING THE CAPABILITIES GAP: SEVEN THINGS THE ARMY NEEDS FOR A WINNING FUTURE
The development process will consist of repeated prototyping, demonstration/testing, and evaluation, designed to find and eliminated unrealistic requirements. ASA(ALT) Bruce Jette says the acquisition community should seek to fail and find a new solution rather than commit a program to a drawn-out failure.United States Government Accountability Office (GAO
Report: GAO-17-457 (Jun 2017) ARMY CONTRACTING Leadership Lacks Information Needed to Evaluate and Improve Operations
Esper scrubbed through 800Hannah Wile
(6 April 2018) Program cuts likely under Army secretary's new Futures Command
modernization programs to reprioritize fundingJen Judso
(17 July 2018) US Army asks Congress to shift millions in FY18 dollars. What's behind the request?
for the top six modernization priorities, which will consume 80% of the modernization funding,David Vergu
(5 September 2018) Richardson confirmed as Futures Command deputy commander
of 18 systems. His "night court" budget review process shifted $2.4 billion for modernization from programs that were not tied to modernization or to the 2018 National Defense Strategy.FY2021 budget request
Sean Kimmons, Army News Service (13 February 2020) Army budget request eyes $2B boost for modernization
* $10.6 billion for modernization in 2021 request, up from $8.5 billion in 2020 ** LRPF: $1700 million ** FVL: $514 million ** OMFV: $328 million ** MPF: $135 million ** LTAMDS: $376 million ** IFPC $236 million Budgets will likely restrict the fielding of new materiel to one Armor BCT per year; at that rate, updates would take decades.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(15 January 2020) Army To Navy: Hey, We Already Get Less $$ Than You
Army: 26.6%; Navy: 28.7%; Air Force: 28.5%; Other: 16.3% In 2019, the CIO/G6 piloted "enterprise IT-as-a-service"-style service contracts at AFC. In July 2019, such a contract set up a sensitive compartmented information facility at AFC headquarters. In February 2020, the Army vice chief of staff said Army modernization was perceptibly speeding up.Sean Kimmons, Army News Servic
(7 February 2020) Vice chief of staff: Speed of modernization no longer at 'glacial pace'
This Life Cycle Management (formulated in 2004)Ker
was intended to exert the kind of operational control (OPCON)JP-1
p.xxi has the definition of operational control (OPCON). Note that "command authority may not be delegated" (COCOM being command authority). p.xxii has the definition of administrative control (ADCON): one application being coordinating authority.
see also C. Berry (3 May 2010) Understanding OPCON
. (COCOM is the legal authority of a combatant commander ( CCDR).) OPCON, on the other hand, "is derived from the authorities of COCOM and delineated in JP-1". needed just for the sustainment function (AMC's need for Readiness today), rather than for its relevance to modernization for the future. AFC now serves as the deciding authority when moving a project in its Life Cycle, out of the Acquisition phase and into the Sustainment phase. During the
(3 April 2020) COVID-19 NEWS: Army Trying to Mitigate Disruptions for Top Modernization Programs
*Devon Suits, Army News Servic
(7 April 2020) Army looks to keep critical modernization programs on schedule
"800 acquisition, logistics, and technology-related programs and nearly 35 key modernization priorities" *Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(23 April 2020) COVID-19 Won't Slow New Army Weapons: McCarthy, Murray, Jette
Subcontractors are holding to their schedules when making up for COVID-19 shutdowns The CFTs must balance requirements, acquisition, science and technology, test, resourcing, costing, and sustainment. Some modernization work will be done via the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and education, Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF) framework. The plan is to have an MDO-capable Army by 2028 and an MDO-ready Army by 2035. In 2018, McConville said
(6 September 2018) 'A Little Bit Disruptive': Murray & McCarthy On Army Futures Command
/ref> Congress has given the Army Other Transaction Authority (OTA), which allows the PEOs to enter into Full Rate Production quicker by permitting the services to control their own programs of record, rather than DoD. This strips out one layer of bureaucracy.Paul McClear
(31 December 2018) Amidst Turmoil, Pentagon Persists On Acquisition Reform: Ellen Lord
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(30 August 2019) Hypersonics: Army Awards $699M To Build First Missiles For A Combat Unit
prototypes—Dynetics: Common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB); Lockheed: Long range hypersonic weapon (LRHW) * Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, U.S. Army RCCT
(30 August 2019) Army awards hypersonic weapon system contracts
/ref> Middle tier acquisition authority is another tool.Mr. Kinsey Kiriakos (ASA (ALT)
(20 November 2019) Army Acquisition Leaders Must "Speak Truth To Power"
MTA and OTASydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(27 Feb 2023) Rapid updates, flexible authorities key for modern combat, says Army acquisition chief
Use DOD Instruction 5000.87 for Software Pathway (SWP) acquisition process, under middle tier acquisition authority. There is now a PEO for Rapid Capabilities (RCO) with two program managers, one for rapid prototyping, and one for rapid acquisition, of a capability. Requirements are developed by the Cross-functional team (CFT).Jen Judso
(7 Oct 2018) Army Rapid Capabilities Office realigned to focus on top modernization priorities
/ref> In 2019 RCO became the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).RC
RCCTO (2019) Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office
/ref> In 2019, Futures Command was formulating multiyear enterprise campaign plans.Phil Fountain, U.S. Army Futures Command
(7 August 2019) Army Futures Command charts a campaign plan
No uniforms The planning process includes Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), AFC's cross-functional teams (CFTs), Futures and Concepts (FCC), Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), and Army Reserve's Houston-based 75th Innovation Command. Pne goal is to formulate the plans in simple, coherent language which nests within the national security strategic documents.Gen. David Goldfein and Gen. Jay Raymon
(28 Feb 2020) America's future battle network is key to multidomain defense
JADC2: " We cannot yet share data in a seamless and simultaneous way between the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or the Space Force"Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(14 Oct 2020) Army Seeks Open Architecture For All Air & Ground Systems: Jette
In the spirit of MOSA, JADC2, & Project convergence: *Army Common Operating Environment (COE) *C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards
CMOSS
*Future Air-Borne Capability Environment (FACE) *Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA) *Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) *Vehicle Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability (VICTORY)Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(14 Nov 2022) Can the Army's robotics programs build AI the Silicon Valley way?
RCV navigation: "DIU has brokered a potentially groundbreaking contract between the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle program and a small California firm that trains AI algorithms to navigate off-road".Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(13 Nov 2020) QinetiQ Delivers Armed Scout Robot To Army: RCV-L
uses UGV Interoperability ProfileKatherine Spivey and Wendy Wagner-Smith
(19 May 2021) Positioning Yourself as a Plain Language Editor
/ref> By October 2022 Field Manual 3-0 said "Multi-domain Operations are at the root of all Army operations".Headquarters, Department of the Arm
(1 October 2022) FM 3-0 OPERATIONS
280 pagesAUSA 202
(10 Oct 2022) AUSA Contemporary Military Forum: Army 2030 - Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Fight
Office of the Chief of Public Affairs A goal of AFC is
(31 May 2022) The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
report IF11797 could do so. Christine Wormuthbr>(10.11.2021) AUSA 2021
/ref> Planning for the Army of 2040 is underway.U.S. Department of Defens
(28 Aug 2023) Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Keynote Address: 'The Urgency to Innovate' (As Delivered)
Replicator, introduced at the "NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference"— Replicator is meant to overcome PRC's mass with AI ''en masse'' * Brandi Vincen
(28 Aug 2023) Hicks unveils DOD's new 'Replicator' initiative to counter China via autonomous tech
/ref>
*Long-range precision fires developments include:Breaking Defens
A series on: Army Strategic Fires
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
(28 May 2019) Beyond INF: An Affordable Arsenal Of Long-Range Missiles?
INF Treaty likely to expire in August 2019 ** Hypersonic materiel development:Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(22 August 2018) Army Warhead Is Key To Joint Hypersonics
/ref> the Strategic long range cannon (SLRC), for a hypersonic projectile,Loren Thompso
(7 Aug 2020) Army breakthroughs in Long-range fires raise novel questions about targeting, organization, and command
about SLRC, a long-barrelled cannon which uses GPS-guided munitionsMatthew Co
(14 September 2018) The Army is developing a new strategic cannon to devastate targets over 1,000 miles away
/ref> is meant to have a range up to 1,000 nautical miles.Sean Gallaghe
(10/15/2019) Bringing in the big gun: Army paves way for "strategic cannon"
*Defense Update
(4 Feb 2019) U.S ARMY'S SUPER GUN - STRATEGIC LONG RANGE CANNON (SLRC)
Smaller GPS-enabled shells. An early ballistic test took place at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, as announced at AUSA in October 2019. SLRC was cancelled in March 2022.Jen Judso
(23 Mar 2022) US Army terminates science and technology effort for strategic long-range cannon
/ref> ** Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) development at Picatinny Arsenal: evaluate several manufacturing technologies, tied to the XM1113 munition. ERCA was cancelled in March 2024;Ashley Rocque
(11 Mar 2024) Army’s $186B budget request shuffles artillery, aviation plans
/ref> Gen. Rainey has ceded towed artillery as at its end-of-life.Ashley Rocqu
(26 Mar 2024) Towed artillery has reached 'end of the effectiveness', Army four-star declares
Rainey **Targeting with thousand-mile missiles,Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
(19 March 2019) Army Sets 2023 Hypersonic Flight Test; Strategic Cannon Advances
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
(11 September 2018) Aiming The Army's Thousand-Mile Missiles
Multi-domain Ft SillMaj. Anthony Clas, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs: (SEPTEMBER 4, 2019) Target Mensuration course: Bulldog Brigade trains target acquisition with precision Target Mensuration Only (TMO) Including TMO in a unit training plan
Maj. Anthony Clas (28 August 2019) Bulldog Brigade Trains Target Acquisition with Precision
/ref> "streamlining the sensor-shooter link at every echelon"—BGMonica K. Guthrie, LRPF communications directo
(9 October 2019) Army Futures Command gains new general
/ref> John Rafferty, in Integrated fire.Daniel Cebu
(8 Oct 2018) Army looks to a future of integrated fire
/ref>Sean Kimmons, Army News Servic
(24 October 2019) TITAN system being developed to tie 'deep sensing' to long-range fires
For use in I2CEWS battalion of a Multi-domain task forceSandra Erwi
(19 April 2021) U.S. Army approves plans for a future 'tactical space layer'
"tactical space layer will be integrated with an existing ground station called Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN)" *Mobile & Expeditionary Network Scott McKeanbr>(14 Jul 2021) AFC Pamphlet 71-20-9 Army Futures Command Concept for Command and Control - Pursuing decision dominance
AFCC-C2 is the future communications network. 14 Jul 2021 see
FUTURES AND CONCEPTS CENTER resources
/ref> / MDO Multi-domain operationsTodd South, Military Time
(8 May 2019) 4 things the general in charge of the Army's newest command says are needed to win the wars of the future
/ref> **Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT)Office of the Chief of Public Affair
(10.16.2019) 2019 AUSA Warriors Corner - TacticalSpace: Delivering Future Force Space Capabilities
*#Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing *#Tactical Space: SDA is structuring a multi-layer satellite system: *##Backbone layer for data transport downward to the long-range precision fires *##Custody layer for missiles' trajectories, whether friendly or threat *##Tracking layer for hypersonic glide vehicles which represent threats to the multi-layer satellite system *##Space situational awareness for cis-lunar trajectories, *#NavWar ARL Public Affair
(16 October 2018) Researchers develop technique to locate robots, Soldiers in GPS-challenged environments
/ref> ***An A-PNT event was scheduled at WSMR for August 2019 ***Prototype jam-resistant GPS kits are being fielded to 2nd Cavalry Regiment in US European Command (EUCOM) before year-end 2019. More than 300 Strykers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment are being fitted with the Mounted Assured Precision Navigation & Timing System (MAPS), with thousands more planned for EUCOM.Thomas Brading, Army News Servic
(7 October 2019) Army fields anti-jam GPS, plans for thousands more by 2028
/ref> ***A Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) is under development.Dan Lafontaine, CCDC C5ISR Center Public Affair
(17 June 2019) Futures Command looks to enable plug-and-play PNT across Army platforms
/ref>Theresa Hitchens and Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(7 August 2019) Army Seeks Small Satellites To Support Ground Troops
3 programs: Gunsmoke, Lonestar and Polaris. *Theresa Hitchen
(12 October 2020) SMDC Pushes For New PNT, Tracking Sat Payloads
In addition to the 3 LEO satellite programs mentioned above, SMDC's technical center is working on project TITAN (Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node), a "common, mobile ground station" for the Army's tactical needs. ****Low Earth orbit satellites for Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing—"When you look at the sheer number of satellites that go up and the reduced cost to do it, it gives us an array of opportunities on how to solve the problems" in A-PNTGary Sheftick, Army News Servic
(10 March 2020) Army looks to leverage 'low Earth orbit' satellites
LEO satellites orbit 100-1200 miles above Earth ***ARL researchers have proposed and demonstrated a way for small ground-based robots with mounted antennas to configure
(29 August 2019) Army scientists discover a new way for robots to exchange directed messages
/ref> ***ARL's Army Research Office is funding researchers at
(2020) Analogue switches made from boron nitride monolayers for application in 5G and terahertz communication systems. ''Nature Electron''
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-020-0416-x *U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(May 26, 2020) New 5G switch provides 50 times more energy efficiency than currently exists
/ref> ***ARL's Army Research Office is seeking diamond
(20 Nov 2020) New Army research breakthrough could lead to more powerful lasers
*David J. Pine is investigator for ARO, using colloids of microscopic spheres which can assemble bottom-up into promising structures. *Mingxin He, Johnathon P. Gales, Étienne Ducrot, Zhe Gong, Gi-Ra Yi, Stefano Sacanna, & David J. Pin
(23 Sep 2020) Colloidal diamond
/ref> ***A demonstration of proof of concept allows soldiers to communicate their position using a wearable tracking unit. The technology allows soldiers (or robots) to prosecute a fight even indoors or underground, even if GPS were lost.Michael Howar
(11 September 2020) Technology Providing Navigation in GPS-Denied Environment wins Grand Prize in xTechSearch Competition
/ref> *Air, Missile Defense:Sydney J Freedberg Jr.Jen Judso
(27 March 2019) Army debuts missile defense framework in move to counter drones, hypersonic threats
/ref>Paul McLear
(17 January 2019) Missile Defense Review a Multi-Billion IOU to White House
/ref>Miles Brow
(5 July 2019) Aviation, missile commander addresses workforce
CG Todd Royar's statement of his expectations *Lisa Simanuci, Aviation and Missile Command Public Affairs
—Maj. Gen. Todd Royar's talk at the Command and General Staff School An Integrated Air and Missile Battle Command System (IBCS)PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE MISSILES AND SPAC
(2018) Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Program Overview
award, including next software build.Jason Cutsha
(SMDC/ARSTRAT) (21 February 2019) SMDC supports the development of I2CEWS battalions for multi-domain operations
*Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(24 Jan 2019) Hack, Jam, Sense & Shoot: Army Creates 1st Multi-Domain Unit
an MDO BN for Targeting, I Corps of $238 million also funds initial prototypes of the command and control system for fielding in fiscal 2022.Gary Sheftick, Army News Service (13 March 2019)
FY20 budget to boost air & missile defense
/ref> *** Hypersonic glide vehicle launch preparations, beginning in 2020, and continuing with launches every six months.Sean Kimmons, Army News Service ***At Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, an FVL CFT-sponsored demonstration of interconnected sensors handed off control of a glide munition which had been launched from a Grey Eagle drone. When another group of sensors picked up a higher-priority target, another operator at the Tactical Operations Center redirected the glide munition to the higher-priority targe.Gary Sheftick, Army News Servic
(9 September 2019) Smart sensor network helps redirect missile
The GBU-69 was redirected; FARA is slated to replace AH-64 in subsequent A3I experimentsDan Gour�
(20 Mar 2020) SOCOM Has Solved the Military's 'Tower of Babel' Problem
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(25 February 2020) Future Vertical Lift: Army's Aerial Vanguard
LRPF will be the prime customer for the AI targeting data provided via FVL. The Joint force is also a consumer of this data, provided by FVL's manned or unmanned missions. *Soldier lethality **Network CFT sponsors sensor-to-shooter prototype for multi-domain battle, 2019 operational assessment.Claire Heininge
(9 August 2018) Army, Air Force team on sensor to shooter prototype for multi-domain battle
/ref>Mark Pomerlea
(11 April 2018) In the move to multi-domain operations, what gets lost?
The space, cyber, and information domains transcend geographic AoRsDan Gour�
Need: MDO doctrine in DoD, Two theater operation at island & continent, augment BCTs with higher echelon capability **Night vision goggles thermal polarimetric camera. Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS)Andrew Eversde
(18 Oct 2021) Army Says Next-Gen AR Goggles Delayed Over Field Of View Issues
/ref>Joe Lacda
(13 May 2019) Augmented reality training on the horizon to give Soldiers edge in combat
allows repetition, for trainingTom McKa
(6 April 2019) The Army Just Gave a Press Demo of Microsoft's HoloLens 2 Military Prototype
/ref>Bridgett Site
(19 November 2019) Soldiers test new IVAS technology, capabilities with hand-on exercises
IVAS: 1 Soldier Touchpoint (STP) STP is becoming rapid acquisitions methodology for AFCKathryn Bailey, PEO C3T Public Affair
(19 November 2019) The Army's tactical network empowers advanced goggle platform
IVAS is under STP 2-- "In July 2020, STP 3 will fully integrate the ITN with IVAS"Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(13 December 2019) Soldiers, Coders Surprise Army Brass By Changing IVAS Goggles
FOV is turning out to be more important to the infantrymen than the range of the gogglesDevon L. Suits, Army News Servic
(9 December 2019) Third IVAS evaluation slated for July
Soldier Touchpoint successfully increased IVAS FOV to 80 degrees while range of the goggles was still at 900 meters, from thermal nightsight capabilityThomas Brading, Army News Servic
(10 February 2020) New technology recognizes faces in the dark, far away
Combines night vision with facial recognitionSydney J. Freedberg Jr
(5 October 2020) From 'Frankengoggle' To Battle-Ready: Army IVAS
waterproof IVAS The Synthetic Training Environment (STE) is available to some of the troops outfitted with IVAS.Adam Ston
(30 Sep 2021) US Army makes headway on Synthetic Training Environment
/ref> Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Army work on a common operating picture will be a foundation for joint operations.Andrew Eversde
(1 Dec 2021) Wormuth: Here's the Army's role in a Pacific fight
/ref>Immersive Op
3D Virtual Operations Center software platformCaitlin M Kenne
(1 Dec 2021) Army Would Have 5 'Core Tasks' in a Pacific Conflict
/ref>Ashley Rocqu
(15 May 2024) If Army's IVAS doesn't ace upcoming test, it could become bill payer: Rainey
/ref> **CCDC ARL researchers are developing a flexible, waterproof,
(6 February 2020) Army scientists on verge of nearly unbreakable battery
First announced in 2015 ***CCDC ARL and DoE's PNNL are examining the solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) as it first forms during the initial charging of a lithium-ion battery. They have found an inner SEI (thin, dense, and inorganic—most likely lithium oxide) between the copper electrode, and an outer SEI which is organic and permeable—a finding which will be useful when building future batteries.U.S. Army CCDC Research Laboratory Public Affair
(5 February 2020) Army scientists look inside batteries with a molecular eye
CCDC ARL "teamed with researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory" (PNNL)
''Nature Nanotechnology'' (27 January 2020) Real-time mass spectrometric characterization of the solid–electrolyte interphase of a lithium-ion battery
/ref> **CCDC ARL and MIT researchers are formulating atomically thin materials to be layered upon soldiers' equipment and clothing for MDO information display and processing.CCDC Army Research Laborator
March 2020) Researchers imagine devices without cords or batteries
Molybdenum disulphide **Integrated, wearable cabling for capabilities such as IVAS, Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), or Nett Warrior are under development;Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affair
(4 May 2020) In modernization push, Army researches integrated power cables for Soldiers
uses technology from Foreign Comparative Testing program (FCT) the potential exists to reduce 20 pounds of batteries to half that weight.Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affair
(17 Jan 2020) Army boosts Soldier battery power for greater lethality, mobility
by using silicon-based anodes **CCDC ARL is studying additive manufacturing (3D printing) for munitions.U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(25 February 2020) Additive manufacturing to provide Soldiers with cutting-edge munitions
They "printed the world's first 3-D hybrid microcontroller circuit on a hemisphere that survived high G environments". **Natick Soldier RDEC has awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract to prototype soldier exoskeletons which augment human leg strength under harsh conditions.NSRDEC Public Affair
(15 October 2018) Natick's exoskeleton work is a powerful step toward the future of Soldier lethality
/ref>RDECOM Soldier Center, Public Affairs Offic
(23 January 2019) Soldier Center partners with industry experts to advance exoskeleton technologies
/ref>David Roz
(26 Aug 2022) The Army wants exoskeletons so soldiers can defeat their worst enemy: Lower back pain
Assistive technology adds 3 pounds of equipment, but stabilizes lower back ** DEVCOM Chem Bio Center (CBC) is developing sensors to detect contaminants.Jerilyn Colema
(28 Apr 2022) DEVCOM teams explore low-cost, lightweight sensors for warfighter use
Chem Bio Center (CBC) sensors to detect possible hazardous contamination **The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)Thomas Brading, Army News Servic
(29 August 2019) Army closer to delivering new infantry squad vehicle
(ISV) *9 Soldiers of an infantry squad will maneuver in an ISV *Plans to purchase 649 prototypes were approved in February 2019 *3 industry leaders have been named (23 Aug. 2019), to deliver ISV prototypes *#Oshkosh Defense/Flyer, *#GM Defense, and *#SAIC/Polaris *Prototypes are due for initial assessment at Aberdeen Test Center 13 November 2019 through December 2019 *At Fort Bragg a second round of operational testing by Soldiers will be performed on the candidate ISV prototypes *Downselect to one vendor is expected 2nd Quarter of FY2020Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(8 October 2019) Who Will Build 651 Parachuting Trucks For The Army?
2 air-drop-able prototypes from each vendor due 13 November 2019, is meant to be airdropped for a squad of nine paratroopers.Kyle Mizokam
(13 Oct 2019) Meet the Army's New Airborne Trucks
/ref> The GM design was selected; first unit is expected at 1/82nd AB division in February 2021.GM Defense LL
(8 Aug 2020) US Army Selects GM Design for Infantry Squad Vehicle
*Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(27 October 2020) GM Defense Delivers 1st Air-Droppable Trucks
Cybersecurity is part of ISV electronics *Kyle Mizokam
(29 Oct 2020) Here It Is: the Army's New Infantry Squad Vehicle
*Jane
(21 Oct 2019) AUSA 2019: GM Defense's Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) for U.S. Army
Youtube clip, 9:27. No armor, has Roll bars.Ashley Roqu
(5 Apr 2023) US Army waves green flag for Infantry Squad Vehicle full-rate production
/ref> ***A-PNT devices are being miniaturized, with more redundant positioning sources. ***In September 2019 in the Maneuver CoE's Battle Lab at
(19 December 2019) AI & Robots Crush Foes In Army Wargame
*PM IT
(October 2019) ONE SEMI-AUTOMATED FORCES (OneSAF)
*Roger Smit
(2008) OneSAF: Next Generation Wargame Model
pdf In February 2024 the department of the Air Force announced its intention to create the Space Futures Command.Michael Marrow and Theresa Hitchen
(12 February 2024) Air Force launches reorganization, as Kendall warns 'We are out of time' to match China
/ref>Unshin Lee Harple
(12 February 2024) Saltzman Announces Fourth Space Force Field Command: Space Futures Command
/ref> The US Air Force is seeking to launch Integrated Capabilities Command by year-end 2024 to set future requirements for the USAF.Stephen Lose
(3 May 2024) US Air Force eyes deadline to launch new command
Integrated Capabilities Command up and running by year-end 2024; responsible for future requirements for USAF.
/ref>Jen Judso
(12 Jul 2021) Army Futures Command chief on what his team got right — and wrong — since its founding
/ref> Lieutenant General James E. Rainey (promoted to general on 7 October 2022) became AFC's second commanding general on 4 October 2022.
See AFC Events for the upcoming events: Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 26–28 March 2019: Multi-Domain Operations. Previous event: 8–10 October 2018
{{authority control 2018 establishments in the United States Buildings and structures in Austin, Texas Commands of the United States Army Military units and formations established in 2018 Futures
(29 Jun 2021) Army Regulation 71–9 Force Management. Warfighting Capabilities Determination
°1-6c, p.1) tasks for CG,AFC; °2-24 p.13) CG,AFC is a principal member of AROC, with 43 duties ''a through qq''; °3-1 ch.3 pp20-21) AROC is a forum for requirements decisions (RDF); °4-1 p.24) CG,AFC is responsible for force design; °6-4 p39) figure 6-1 Deliberate staffing and review process; ''figures for more staffing and review processes follow.''Research, Development, and Acquisitio
AR 71–9 (2009) Warfighting Capabilities Determination
Aug 15, 2019 updateResearch, Development, and Acquisitio
(22 Jul 2011) Army Acquisition Policy
AR 70-1Jared Serb
(11 Mar 2016) Army puts its chief of staff 'at the center' of acquisition decisions
USAASC, Army ALT Magazine, Best Practice
(16 February 2018) A Model and Process for Transitioning Urgent Acquisition
- USAASC (United States Army Acquisition Corps) as response to Congressional oversight, budgeting, funding, policy, and authorization for action.Jen Judson
(6 Sep 2022) Futures Command faces identity crisis as Army shifts mission
AFC and the CFTs are expected to unify control of the Army' s $30 billion modernization budget.Sydney Freedber
(29 August 2018) Army Futures Command: $100M, 500 Staff, & Access To Top Leaders
Partners
AFC has given research funding to more than 300 colleges and universities with one-year program cycles.SARARL (29 Jun 2021) Army program introduces new software for robot autonomy
AIMM ERP (Artificial Intelligence for Maneuver and Mobility Essential Research Program) "We will come to you. You don't have to come to us," Murray said on 24 August 2018",Sean Kimmons Multiple incubator tech hubs are available in Austin, especially Capital Factory, with offices of Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and AFWERX (USAF tech hub). AFC will work with other organizations such as Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx) as needed.
Locations
AFC's headquarters is based inAustin, Texas
Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and W ...
where it spreads across three locations totaling 75,000 ft2; One location is a University of Texas System
The University of Texas System (UT System) is a public university system in the U.S. state of Texas. It includes nine universities and five independent health institutions. The UT System is headquartered in Downtown Austin. It is the large ...
building at 210 W. Seventh St. in downtown Austin, on the 15th and 19th floors; UT Regents did not charge rent to AFC through December 2019.Ralph K.M. Haurwitz - American-Statesman Staf(10 August 2018) UT regents give Army's Futures Command free use of space temporarily
AFC personnel also operate in and from dozens of military installations around the country, including:
* AFSG Army Future Studies Group, 2530 Crystal Dr, Arlington, VA 22202
* AFC Futures and Concepts Center, formerly ARCIC Fort Eustis VA
* JMC Joint Modernization Command, Fort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in New Mexico and Texas, with its headquarters in El Paso, Texas. Established in 1848, the fort was renamed in 1854 to honor William Wallace Smith Bliss, Bvt.Lieut.Colonel William W.S. Bliss (1815–1853 ...
, which is contiguous to WSMR
* White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is a United States Army military testing area and firing range located in the US state of New Mexico. The range was originally established in 1941 as the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, where the Trinity t ...
NM, also houses ARL, TRAC, and Army Test and Evaluation Command.
* FT LVN Operations research: Mission Command Battle Lab,Maj. Chris Parker, Dr. Paul Reese, Director, Fielded Force Integration Division, COL E.J. Karlberg, Director, Combined Arms Integration Directorate, and Mr. Rich Creed, Director, Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, ''Breaking Doctrine'' podcast at Fort Leavenwort(2020) Breaking Doctrine: Episode 14 - Transitioning the Army to MDO
1:02:44 How a Concept becomes Doctrine at TRADOC Combined Arms Center,
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
DOTMLPF
DOTMLPF (pronounced "Dot-MiL-P-F") stands for doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities. It is used by the US Department of Defense and was defined in the Joint Capabilities Integration D ...
-PHeadquarters, Dept of the Army (July 2019) ADP 6-0 Mission Command: Command and Control of Army Forces4 chapters. See also ADP 3-0; ADP 6-22; FM 6-22; ADP 1-1; and ADP 5-0Todd Sout
(13 September 2019) Massive simulation shows the need for speed in multi-domain ops
"400 participants working with 55 formations, 64 concepts and 150 capabilities" Capability development integration directorate (CDID), The Research Analysis Center (TRAC), formerly TRADOC Analysis Center,
Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
KS
** CFT: Synthetic Training Environment (STE):Jacqueline M. Hames and Margaret C. Rot(14 January 2019) Virtual battlefield represents future of training
Training as a service; more content at scale needed.Army ALT Magazine (29 January 2019) THEN AND NOW: TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE
critique The HQ for STE has opened in Orlando (28 January 2019).Jen Judso
(17 May 2019) US Army's jumping to the next level in virtual training
reconfigurable virtual collective trainers (RVCTs) * CCOE Cyber CoE - (its CDID and Battle Lab), Fort Eisenhower GA ** CFT: Mobile and Expeditionary Network * MCOE Maneuver CoE - (its CDID and Battle Lab),
Fort Moore
Fort Benning (named Fort Moore from 2023–2025) is a United States Army post in the Columbus, Georgia area. Located on Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia's border with Alabama, Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family me ...
GA
** CFT: Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV)
** CFT: Soldier Lethality
* AVNCOE Aviation CoE - (its CDID), at Fort Novosel
** CFT: Future Vertical Lift (FVL)
* FCOE Fires CoE - (its CDID and Battle Lab),Matthew Murch, Futures and Concepts Cente(30 Jan 2023) Fires CDID: Supporting war-winning future readiness
Col. Yi Se Gwon, Fort Sill ''Fires Bulletin'' (September–October 2018) The Army Multi-Domain Targeting CenterArmy Multi-Domain Targeting Center (16 July 2019) Target Mensuration Only
TMO Doctrine updates to support strategic fires
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post north of Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles (137 km) southwest of Oklahoma City. It covers almost .
The fort was first built during the Indian Wars. It is designated as a National Historic Landmark a ...
OK
** CFT: Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF)
** CFT: Air and Missile Defense
* ICOE Intelligence CoE - (its CDID), Fort Huachuca AZ
* MSCOE Maneuver Support CoE - (its CDID and Battle Lab), Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army, U.S. Army training installation located in the Missouri The Ozarks, Ozarks. The main gate is located on the southern boundary of the city of St. Robert, Missouri, St. Robert. The post was created in De ...
MO
* SCOE Sustainment CoE - (its CDID), Fort Gregg-Adams
Fort Lee (formerly Fort Gregg-Adams), in Prince George County, Virginia is a United States Army post and headquarters of the United States Army Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM)/ Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE), the United States Ar ...
VA
* APGAPG Guide (12 January 2019) Aberdeen Proving Ground 2019 Your road map to the 'Home of Innovation'with more than 90 tenant organizationsPEO Command Control Communications - Tactical (PEO C3T
(12 September 2018) ASA(ALT) MilDep talks APG's role in Futures Command
Paul Ostrowski is PMILDEP to ASA(ALT)
Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is a U.S. Army facility located adjacent to Aberdeen, Harford County, Maryland, United States. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work at APG. There are 11 major commands among the tenant units, ...
, Aberdeen MD, also houses Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC, now called DEVCOM), formerly RDECOM, Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity ( AMSAA), and C5ISR centerCaitlin O'Neill, PM PNT staff write(17 November 2017) Army's PNT programs transition to PEO IEW&S
Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affair
(19 November 2019) C5ISR Center hosts CCDC commander for town hall, lab tours
"a renewed emphasis on collaboration across CCDC's eight research centers" (the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center was formerly CERDEC) ** CFT: Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT)Andrew Eversde
(25 Oct 2021) Army Seeks 'Cutting Edge' Network-Aided PNT Technologies For Battle
* Army Applications La
(19 Oct 2021) Broad Agency Announcement Special Notice W911NF-19-S-0004 Network Aided Position Navigation and Timing solutions for dismounted Soldiers
Theresa Hitchen
(1 Nov 2021) Sandia's Atomic 'Avocado' Could Allow GPS-Free PNT
Tobias Naegel
(27 Nov 2022) Q&A: The New Chief of Space Operations on Empowering the Force
"one B-2 hits 80 independent targets because of GPS".—Gen. B.Chance Saltzman, Space Force ** CFT: Network CFT (N-CFT) ** CFT: Long Range Precision Fires, * CCDC Armaments Center (formerly Armament research, development and engineering center—ARDEC),
Picatinny Arsenal
The Picatinny Arsenal ( or ) is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on of land in Jefferson and Rockaway Townships in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, encompassing Picatinny Lake and Lake Denmark. The ...
, PEO AMMO
** CFT: Long Range Precision Fires
* CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center (formerly Tank Automotive research, development and engineering center—TARDEC), Detroit Arsenal (Warren, Michigan)
** CFT: Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV)
* Army Aviation and Missile Center (formerly Aviation and Missile research, development and engineering center—AMRDEC), Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army base adjacent to Huntsville, Alabama in the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. A census-designated place in Madison County, Alabama, United States, it is part of the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistica ...
, Huntsville ALRCCTO is located in Huntsville (26 August 2019)RCCTO- About us
* * Lee Roo
** CFT: Air and Missile Defense * CCDC Soldier CenterThomas Brading, Army News Servic
(23 August 2019) Soldiers 'at the heart of' modernizing warfighter gear
(formerly Natick Soldier research, development and engineering center—NSRDEC), General Greene Ave, Natick, MA * Army Research Laboratory (ARL),Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(25 February 2019) Army-funded researcher wins Nobel Prize
Argie Sarantinos-Perrin, CCD
(21 August 2019) Army develops cold spray technology to repair Bradley gun mounts
Army Research Laboratory (ARL) Adelphi MD * ARL-Orlando Army Research Laboratory, Orlando FL * ARL West, Playa Vista CA * ARL-RTP Army Research Laboratory, Raleigh-Durham NC * AI task force at
Carnegie-Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is a Private university, private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. The institution was established in 1900 by Andrew Carnegie as the Carnegie Technical Schools. In 1912, it became t ...
Work
AI
In 2018, the Army secretary ordered AFC to draft an execution order to create an Army AI Task Force (A-AI TF) to support the DoD Joint AI center.Defense.go(12 February 2019) SUMMARY OF THE 2018 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY
Ashton Carte
(2012-11-21) Autonomy in Weapon Systems
Most recent DoD guideline: 2012Army AI task forc
Army Directive 2018-18 (Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force in Support of the Department of Defense Joint Artificial Intelligence Center)
2 October 2018Terri Moon Cronk The Army AI task force establish scalable machine learning projects at Carnegie Mellon University.Gary Sheftic
(13 August 2019) AI Task Force taking giant leaps forward
Coordinating with: NREC, Talent management task force, the CFTs, and DOD's Joint AI Center That same year, the Army Applications Laboratory was established along with AFC to help connect Army-future efforts and commercial products and ideas. In 2019, the Army CIO/G-6 was ordered to create an Identity, Credential, and Access Management system to efficiently issue and verify credentials to non-person entities (AI agents and machines)Douglas Scot
(6 August 2019) New wearable authentication more than a "token" gesture
Tactical Identity and Access Management (TIDAM) ''see Army AI task force (A-AI TF)'' As well, DCS G-2 will coordinate with CG AFC, and director of A-AI TF, to provide intelligence for Long-Range Precision Fires. CG AMC will provide functional expertise and systems for maintenance of materiel with AI. AFC and A-AI TF will establish an AI test bed for experimentation, training, deployment, and testing of machine learning capabilities and workflows.U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(27 February 2020) Army researchers enhance AI critical to Soldier-machine teamwork
Explainability & tellability: coalition situational understanding (CSU) & human-agent knowledge fusion (HAKF) *Alun Preece, Dave Braines, Federico Cerutti, Tien Pha
(16 Oct 2019) Explainable AI for Intelligence Augmentation in Multi-Domain Operations
RDECOM Research Laboratory Public Affair
(18 December 2018) Black Hawk helicopter pilot interns with Army researchers
Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(11 September 2020) JAIC Wants AI 'Victory Gardens' Across DoD
In 2022, DEVCOM Analysis Center (DAC) signed a cooperative agreement with Northeastern University's Kostas Research Institute (KRI) to build on KRI's analytic framework, with six other universities on artificial intelligence and assistive automation (AI/AA), to further Army sub-goals ("mission effectiveness analysis, ontology for decision making, automatic target recognition, human systems integration, cyber resilience/electronic warfare threat defense, and assessing autonomous maneuver/mobility").Kaylan Hutchison, DAC Strategic Communication
(22 Jun 2022) Collaborative agreement propels Army analysis of artificial intelligence
Software
Futures Command was to stand up Army Software Factory in August 2021, to immerse soldiers and Army civilians of all ranks in modern software development, in Austin.Eversden, Andrew Army Futures Command Army Software FactoryKatie Davis Skelley, DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center Public Affairs(27 May 2022) Software Factory helps transform Army from industrial to information age
16-week boot camp. Four different tracks (platform engineer, software developer, product manager and designer). Anyone (soldier or Army civilian) can submit a problem to the Factory; A team interviews the problem, performs an initial scoping, and then decides whether to accept the problem to work on.Lindsay Grant
(25 May 2022) New Army application enhances equipment readiness
PMCS app developed by first cohort in ASF; allows soldiers to gain access to field manuals without a CAC card, using only a cell phone.USAF Assistant Secretary of Acquisition, Chief Software Offic
(19 Dec 2019) SpaceCAMP
USAF Software Factory Like the Training with Industry program, participants are expected to take these practices back with them, to influence other Army people in their future assignments, and to build up the Army's capability in software development. The training program lasts three years, and will produce skill sets for trainees as product managers, user experience and user interface designers, software engineers, or platform engineers. The Al Work Force Development program and this Software Factory will complement the Artificial Intelligence Task Force.AI TF Artificial Intelligence Task Force
*US Arm
Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force (31 August 2020) AFC: Growing an AI-ready workforce
*U.S. ARMY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TASK FORCE
(Nov 2019) U.S. ARMY FUTURES COMMAND, AREAS OF INTEREST
The Army has identified soldiers who can already code at Ph.D.-level, but who are in unexpected MOSs.Colin Clar
(8 Aug 2021) Wormuth Hints At Cuts To 35 Core Army Modernization Programs
In March 2023 the Marine Corps moved its software factory to the Army's software factory in Austin, Texas.Jaspreet Gil
(10 March 2023) Marines teaming with Army on 3-year software factory pilot
technical accelerator; 3 year pilot is to build applications; at least 50 Marines; 8 to enter the technical accelerator every 6 months; each of them in a program to accelerate modernization as product managers, designers, or software developers. The teams will learn baseline skillsets using pair programming for one-on-one mentoring, and utilization. ; Data The Army looks for ideas from defense contractors In 2018, for example, the Network CFT and the Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications—Tactical (PEO C3T) hosted a forum so vendors could learn what products might soon work as testable or deployable systems.David Vergu
(29 March 2018) Army network modernization efforts spearheaded by new Cross-Functional Teams. The Army conducts a network demonstration at Fort Bliss, Texas. The Army is pursuing network modernization through Cross-Functional Teams.
US Arm
(27 June 2018) U.S. Army to host tactical Cloud computing industry forum
army.milKathryn Bailey, PEO C3T Public Affair
(26 November 2019) The Army gathers industry to inspire network modernization
Network Cross-Functional Team (N-CFT) and PEO C3T hosted 670 industry partners at the Technical Exchange Meeting (TEM) 4, Capability Set (CS) 23. www.army.milNathan Strou
(30 Nov 2019) Can hundreds of unrelated satellites create a GPS backup?
Vendors submitted hundreds of white papers; ones with "very mature ideas" were passed to the Army's acquisition community and to the Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC). The Army is interested in ways to accelerate acquisition programs. For example, this was an explicit request in the 2019 solicitation for requests for information about Future Vertical Lift.Jen Judso
(4 April 2019) US Army plans to field a future long-range assault helicopter by 2030
FLRAA * RFI posted on the Federal Business Opportunities, 4 April * Contract award: fourth quarter of FY21 * preliminary design review (PDR) second quarter of FY23 * first flight in the third quarter of FY24 * critical design review (CDR) in the fourth quarter of FY24 * fielding to first unit in second quarter of FY30 In January 2020, the optionally manned fighting vehicle solicitation was cancelled when its requirements added up to an unobtainable project;Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(21 January 2020) Army 'Fully Committed To Replacing The Bradley': Gen. McConville
Bradley fighting vehicle replacement is still a project * Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(23 January 2020) Bradley Replacement: Did Army Ask For 'Unobtainium'?
* U.S. Army Public Affair
(16 January 2020) Army decides to cancel current OMFV solicitation
* U.S. Army Public Affair
(7 February 2020) Army aggressively moves forward on OMFV, seeks industry input on path forward
"We are not releasing a prescribed set of requirements -- we are describing the problem set and giving industry the freedom to be creative and innovative in their approach" —Gen. John (Mike) Murray * Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
(26 February 2020) OMFV: Army Seeks Industry Advice On Bradley Replacement
;Robotic combat vehicles
By October 2021, experiments with a company-sized tele-operated / unmanned formation were underway at Camp Grayling, Michigan.Andrew Eversde(22 Nov 2021) Robotic vehicles, drones coordinate recon at Army's Project Convergence 21
Ben Watson
(6 May 2022) Defense One Radio, Ep. 99: The role of drones in Russia's Ukraine invasion
Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(19 Mar 2021) Army Outlines Ambitious Schedule For Robots, Armor
The 18 light and medium robotic combat vehicles (RCV), in concert with surrogate heavy RCVs (modified
M113 armored personnel carrier
The M113 is a fully tracked armored personnel carrier (APC) that was developed and produced by the FMC Corporation. The M113 was sent to United States Army Europe in 1961 to replace the mechanized infantry's M59 armored personnel carrier, M59 A ...
s), proxy manned control vehicles (MET-Ds), and drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance ( ISR), were to complete ATEC (Army Test and Evaluation Command) safety testing in May 2022 and live-fire drills in August 2022.Army.mil
By June 2022, Army RCVs had demonstrated some disruptive capabilities, in preparation for Project Convergence 2022. At PC22, resupply by unmanned helicopters
An uncrewed vehicle or unmanned vehicle is a vehicle without a person on board. Uncrewed vehicles can either be under telerobotic control—remote controlled or remote guided vehicles—or they can be autonomously controlled—autonomous vehicl ...
and other autonomous capabilities were demonstrated by systems from the US, Australia, and UK.Defense One staf(9 Sep 2022) The Army's top officer discusses the future of the force and how the six-month-old Ukraine invasion is evolving.
LTG Scott McKeanArmy Futures Comman
(19 Sep 2022) Project Convergence 2022 to demonstrate futuristic joint, multinational warfighting technologies
inaugural PC22 Technology GatewayJoe Lacdan, Army News Service
(21 Sep 2022) Army to test robotic vehicles on land and sea during PC 22
AFC's McKean: JADC2 experiment to reach from continental US to Pacific: 1) establish an IAMD; 2) use Joint offensive fires; 3) examine which authorities and policies hinder the mission In May 2023, Army Futures Command disclosed concepts for robotic combat platoons,Max Boo
(28 May 2023) Opinion: An Army command like no other seeks to master the future of war
akin to the collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) of the Air Force.AUSA 2023 Warriors Corner: BG Stephanie Ahern, moderato
(9 Oct 2023) Human Machine Integrated Formations panel
First fielding 2028
Acquisition
Futures Command works with the ASA(ALT),Ms. Karen Diane Kurtz (ASA (ALT)) and Steven Y. Lusher (JPEO CBRND PAO(8 October 2018) ASA(ALT) Participates in U.S. Army Futures Command Panel at AUSA
Matthew Co
who as Army Acquisition Executive (AAE),Army Directive 2018-15 (U.S. Army Futures Command Relationship With the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)
and DCS G-8, 27 August 2018 has milestone decision authority (MDA)Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.
(13 Sep 2018) Futures Command Won't Hurt Oversight, Army Tells Congress
Jaspreet Gil
(4 May 2022) EXCLUSIVE: New Army directive shakes up modernization enterprise
at multiple points in a materiel development decision (MDD). AFC consolidates expertise into the relevant CFT, which balances the constraints needed to realize a prototype, beginning with requirements, science and technology, test, etc., then enters the acquisition process (typically the Army prototypes on its own and, as of 2019, initiates acquisition at Milestone B in order to have the Acquisition Executive, with the concurrence of the Army Chief of Staff, decide on production as a
Program of Record
In the United States, the processes of government procurement enable federal, state and local government bodies in the country to acquire goods, services (including construction), and interests in real property. Contracting with the federal gove ...
at Milestone C). Next, refine the prototype to address the factors needed to pass the Milestone decisions A, B, and C which require Milestone decision authority (MDA) in an acquisition process. This consolidation of expertise thus reduces the risks in a Materiel development decision (MDD), for the Army to admit a prototype into a program of record.) The existing processes (as of April 2018) for a Materiel development decision (MDD) have been updated to clarify their place in the Life Cycle of a program of record:Richard Simonetti (23 April 2018"US Army turns to new technologies"
linkedin.com over 1,200 programs/projects were reviewed; by October 2019, over 600 programs of record had been moved from the acquisition phase to the sustainment phase. An additional life cycle management action is underway, to re-examine which of these projects or programs should be cancelled. Futures Command picks which programs to develop.Anthony Small Each CFT works with the Army Acquisition Corps,Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
ASA(ALT)
�
Org Chart as of May 2020
see als
February 2020
, and
11/5/19
as well a
Org Chart as of 11/26/18
Jacqueline M. Hames, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (31 January 2020) TWI: worth it
Training with Industry: a work-experience program for Army Acquisition officers (from captain to lieutenant colonel). "After their TWI rotation, officers are expected to identify industry best practices and implement them at their next duty station" U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), and
Army Contracting Command
The Army Contracting Command (ACC) is a contracting services command (military formation), command of the United States Army.
"On October 1, 2008, the Army recognized the formal establishment of the Army Contracting Command as a major subordinate ...
. The Principal Military Deputy to the ASA(ALT) is also deputy commanding general for Combat Systems, Army Futures Command, and leads the Program Executive Officer
A program executive officer, or PEO, is one of a few key individuals in the United States military acquisition process. As can be seen from the examples below, a program executive officer may be responsible for a specific program (e.g., the Jo ...
s (PEO); he has directed each PEO who does not have a CFT to coordinate with, to immediately form one, at least informally.Ms. Audra Calloway (Picatinny(19 September 2018) With new Army Futures Command, senior acquisition leader discusses role of Program Executive Offices
The PEOs work closely with their respective CFTs. Operationally, the CFTs reduce degrees of separation between Army echelons, and provide a point of contact for Army reformers.
Prototyping and experimentation
The development process will consist of one or more cycles (prototype, demonstration/testing, and evaluation,Gary Sheftick, Army News Servic(3 April 2019) Army 'Shark Tank' enabling quick prototyping of new systems
) meant to find and discard unrealistic requirements before a project becomes a program. "Our new approach is really to prototype as much as we can to help us identify requirements, so our reach doesn't exceed our grasp. ... A good example is Future Vertical Lift: The prototyping has been exceptional," Esper said in 2019.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(24 January 2019) Bell V-280 Flies 322 MPH: Army Secretary Praises Program
AFC activities include at least one cross-functional team, its capability development integration directorate (CDID), and the associated Battle Lab, for each Army Center of Excellence. Each CDID and associated Battle Lab work with their CFT to develop operational experiments and prototypes to test. ASA(ALT), in coordination with AFC, has dotted-line relationships between its PEOs and the CFTs. In particular, the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office of ASA(ALT) has a PEO to develop experimental prototype "units of action" for rapid fielding. In June 2019, the prototypes were for long-range hypersonic weapons, high-energy laser defense, and space,Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Offic
(14 June 2019) Partnering for speed: Army rapid prototyping office hosts industry open house
Clark, Coli
(2019-05-24) Army Moves Out On Lasers, Hypersonics: Lt. Gen. Thurgood
Jen Judso
(13 March 2019) Army Rapid Capabilities Office is getting a new name and mission
The Army tripled its spending on speed and range capabilities from 2017 to 2019. CFTs and PEOs order up tests run by JMC and
White Sands Missile Range
White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is a United States Army military testing area and firing range located in the US state of New Mexico. The range was originally established in 1941 as the Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, where the Trinity t ...
, which hosts United States Army Test and Evaluation Command.''Army Commands, Army Service Component Commands, and Direct Reporting Units'' ARN2541_AR10-87_WEB_Final.pdf section 20-2a, p.27 Test results are analyzed by the Research and Analysis Center at Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth, Kansas, Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., an ...
.
CCDC, now called DEVCOM (formerly RDECOM, at APG) includes the several Army research laboratory locations, as well as research, development and engineering centers listed:Secretary of the Army, Mark T. Esper, ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMY FUTURES COMMANArmy General order G.O.2018-10
Army Directive 2017-33 (Enabling the Army Modernization Task Force) (7 November 2017)
References Decker-Wagner 2011 CCDC is focusing on long-range precision fires the six RDECs and the
Army Research Laboratory
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) is the foundational research laboratory for the United States Army under the United States Army Futures Command (AFC). DEVCOM ARL conducts intramural an ...
. As of September 2018, RDECOM's "concept of operation" is first to support the LRPF CFT,Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, CG RDECO(25 September 2018) RDECOM's road map to modernizing the Army: Long-range precision fires
First in a series with ARDEC. AMRDEC is looking to improve the energetics and efficiency of projectiles. TARDEC Ground Vehicle Center is working on high-voltage components for extended range cannon artillery that save on size and weight. Two dedicated RDECOM people support the LRPF CFT, with reachback support from two dozen more at RDECOM. In January 2019, RDECOM was renamed CCDC; General Murray noted that CCDC will have to support more soldier feedback, and that prototyping and testing will have to begin before a project ever becomes a program of record.Freedberg, Jr
(31 Jan 2019) Army Completes Biggest Reorg In 45 Years: Can Futures Command End Weapons Disasters?
"... another thing we've not done very well—is doing the prototyping and experimentation with soldiers from the beginning, so we got soldier input into a program before it ever becomes a program of record" —Gen. 'Mike' Murray Acquisition specialists are being encouraged to accept lateral transfers to RDECs where their skills are needed: Ground Vehicle Systems Center (formerly TARDEC, at Detroit Arsenal. Michigan), Aviation and Missile Center (formerly AMRDEC, at
Redstone Arsenal
Redstone Arsenal is a United States Army base adjacent to Huntsville, Alabama in the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. A census-designated place in Madison County, Alabama, United States, it is part of the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistica ...
), C5ISR Center (formerly CERDEC, at Aberdeen Proving Ground
Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is a U.S. Army facility located adjacent to Aberdeen, Harford County, Maryland, United States. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work at APG. There are 11 major commands among the tenant units, ...
), Soldier Center (formerly NSRDEC, Natick, Massachusetts), and Armaments Center (formerly ARDEC, at Picatinny Arsenal
The Picatinny Arsenal ( or ) is an American military research and manufacturing facility located on of land in Jefferson and Rockaway Townships in Morris County, New Jersey, United States, encompassing Picatinny Lake and Lake Denmark. The ...
) listed below.
Esper said AFC will reduce the time needed to define requirements for a new program from 60 to 12 months. Requirements may be reduced to "a simple statement of a problem."AUSA 2018 CMF #1: Army Futures Command Unifies Force ModernizationDVIDS video of panelists Gen. Murray, Sec. McCarthy, Dr. Jette, and Trae StephensTrae Stephens
(6 Jun 2022) Rebooting the arsenal of democracy
4 principles for the new defense companiesFederal News Radi
Army has picked a location for its new Futures Command, but now comes the hard part
Association of the United States Army
The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) is a private, non-profit organization that serves as the professional association of the United States Army. Founded in 1950, it has 121 chapters worldwide. Membership is open to everyone, not ju ...
(AUSA)Scott R. Gourley (Friday, 13 January 2017) CLOSING THE CAPABILITIES GAP: SEVEN THINGS THE ARMY NEEDS FOR A WINNING FUTURE
The development process will consist of repeated prototyping, demonstration/testing, and evaluation, designed to find and eliminated unrealistic requirements. ASA(ALT) Bruce Jette says the acquisition community should seek to fail and find a new solution rather than commit a program to a drawn-out failure.United States Government Accountability Office (GAO
Report: GAO-17-457 (Jun 2017) ARMY CONTRACTING Leadership Lacks Information Needed to Evaluate and Improve Operations
Esper scrubbed through 800Hannah Wile
(6 April 2018) Program cuts likely under Army secretary's new Futures Command
modernization programs to reprioritize fundingJen Judso
(17 July 2018) US Army asks Congress to shift millions in FY18 dollars. What's behind the request?
for the top six modernization priorities, which will consume 80% of the modernization funding,David Vergu
(5 September 2018) Richardson confirmed as Futures Command deputy commander
of 18 systems. His "night court" budget review process shifted $2.4 billion for modernization from programs that were not tied to modernization or to the 2018 National Defense Strategy.FY2021 budget request
Sean Kimmons, Army News Service (13 February 2020) Army budget request eyes $2B boost for modernization
* $10.6 billion for modernization in 2021 request, up from $8.5 billion in 2020 ** LRPF: $1700 million ** FVL: $514 million ** OMFV: $328 million ** MPF: $135 million ** LTAMDS: $376 million ** IFPC $236 million Budgets will likely restrict the fielding of new materiel to one Armor BCT per year; at that rate, updates would take decades.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(15 January 2020) Army To Navy: Hey, We Already Get Less $$ Than You
Army: 26.6%; Navy: 28.7%; Air Force: 28.5%; Other: 16.3% In 2019, the CIO/G6 piloted "enterprise IT-as-a-service"-style service contracts at AFC. In July 2019, such a contract set up a sensitive compartmented information facility at AFC headquarters. In February 2020, the Army vice chief of staff said Army modernization was perceptibly speeding up.Sean Kimmons, Army News Servic
(7 February 2020) Vice chief of staff: Speed of modernization no longer at 'glacial pace'
This Life Cycle Management (formulated in 2004)Ker
was intended to exert the kind of operational control (OPCON)JP-1
p.xxi has the definition of operational control (OPCON). Note that "command authority may not be delegated" (COCOM being command authority). p.xxii has the definition of administrative control (ADCON): one application being coordinating authority.
see also C. Berry (3 May 2010) Understanding OPCON
. (COCOM is the legal authority of a combatant commander ( CCDR).) OPCON, on the other hand, "is derived from the authorities of COCOM and delineated in JP-1". needed just for the sustainment function (AMC's need for Readiness today), rather than for its relevance to modernization for the future. AFC now serves as the deciding authority when moving a project in its Life Cycle, out of the Acquisition phase and into the Sustainment phase. During the
COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...
, the Acquisition Executive and the AFC commander created a COVID-19 task force to try to project supplier problems 30, 60, and 90 days out. In 2020, they tracked 800 programs and 35 priorities.Jon Harpe(3 April 2020) COVID-19 NEWS: Army Trying to Mitigate Disruptions for Top Modernization Programs
*Devon Suits, Army News Servic
(7 April 2020) Army looks to keep critical modernization programs on schedule
"800 acquisition, logistics, and technology-related programs and nearly 35 key modernization priorities" *Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(23 April 2020) COVID-19 Won't Slow New Army Weapons: McCarthy, Murray, Jette
Subcontractors are holding to their schedules when making up for COVID-19 shutdowns The CFTs must balance requirements, acquisition, science and technology, test, resourcing, costing, and sustainment. Some modernization work will be done via the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and education, Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF) framework. The plan is to have an MDO-capable Army by 2028 and an MDO-ready Army by 2035. In 2018, McConville said
TRADOC
The United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) is a major command of the United States Army headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. It is charged with overseeing training of Army forces and the development of operational doctrine. ...
, ASA (ALT), and AFC are tied together. The ASA(ALT) will coordinate the acquisition reform with AFC. He also said AFC will have to be "a little bit disruptive" to institute reforms within budget in a timely way.Sydney Freeber(6 September 2018) 'A Little Bit Disruptive': Murray & McCarthy On Army Futures Command
/ref> Congress has given the Army Other Transaction Authority (OTA), which allows the PEOs to enter into Full Rate Production quicker by permitting the services to control their own programs of record, rather than DoD. This strips out one layer of bureaucracy.Paul McClear
(31 December 2018) Amidst Turmoil, Pentagon Persists On Acquisition Reform: Ellen Lord
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(30 August 2019) Hypersonics: Army Awards $699M To Build First Missiles For A Combat Unit
prototypes—Dynetics: Common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB); Lockheed: Long range hypersonic weapon (LRHW) * Nancy Jones-Bonbrest, U.S. Army RCCT
(30 August 2019) Army awards hypersonic weapon system contracts
/ref> Middle tier acquisition authority is another tool.Mr. Kinsey Kiriakos (ASA (ALT)
(20 November 2019) Army Acquisition Leaders Must "Speak Truth To Power"
MTA and OTASydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(27 Feb 2023) Rapid updates, flexible authorities key for modern combat, says Army acquisition chief
Use DOD Instruction 5000.87 for Software Pathway (SWP) acquisition process, under middle tier acquisition authority. There is now a PEO for Rapid Capabilities (RCO) with two program managers, one for rapid prototyping, and one for rapid acquisition, of a capability. Requirements are developed by the Cross-functional team (CFT).Jen Judso
(7 Oct 2018) Army Rapid Capabilities Office realigned to focus on top modernization priorities
/ref> In 2019 RCO became the Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO).RC
RCCTO (2019) Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office
/ref> In 2019, Futures Command was formulating multiyear enterprise campaign plans.Phil Fountain, U.S. Army Futures Command
(7 August 2019) Army Futures Command charts a campaign plan
No uniforms The planning process includes Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), AFC's cross-functional teams (CFTs), Futures and Concepts (FCC), Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), and Army Reserve's Houston-based 75th Innovation Command. Pne goal is to formulate the plans in simple, coherent language which nests within the national security strategic documents.Gen. David Goldfein and Gen. Jay Raymon
(28 Feb 2020) America's future battle network is key to multidomain defense
JADC2: " We cannot yet share data in a seamless and simultaneous way between the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps or the Space Force"Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(14 Oct 2020) Army Seeks Open Architecture For All Air & Ground Systems: Jette
In the spirit of MOSA, JADC2, & Project convergence: *Army Common Operating Environment (COE) *C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards
CMOSS
*Future Air-Borne Capability Environment (FACE) *Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA) *Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) *Vehicle Integration for C4ISR/EW Interoperability (VICTORY)Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(14 Nov 2022) Can the Army's robotics programs build AI the Silicon Valley way?
RCV navigation: "DIU has brokered a potentially groundbreaking contract between the Army's Robotic Combat Vehicle program and a small California firm that trains AI algorithms to navigate off-road".Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(13 Nov 2020) QinetiQ Delivers Armed Scout Robot To Army: RCV-L
uses UGV Interoperability ProfileKatherine Spivey and Wendy Wagner-Smith
(19 May 2021) Positioning Yourself as a Plain Language Editor
/ref> By October 2022 Field Manual 3-0 said "Multi-domain Operations are at the root of all Army operations".Headquarters, Department of the Arm
(1 October 2022) FM 3-0 OPERATIONS
280 pagesAUSA 202
(10 Oct 2022) AUSA Contemporary Military Forum: Army 2030 - Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Fight
Office of the Chief of Public Affairs A goal of AFC is
overmatch
Overmatch is a concept in modern military thinking which prizes having overwhelming advantages over an adversary to a more significant margin than in traditional warfare. It is related to military superiority. Overmatch uses a military force's "c ...
of the capability of a competitor or adversary, particularly the imposition of multiple simultaneous dilemmas upon a competitor or adversary. By 2021, Army leaders recognized that the multi-domain operations task forceAndrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces, Congressional Research Service (CRS(31 May 2022) The Army's Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)
report IF11797 could do so. Christine Wormuthbr>(10.11.2021) AUSA 2021
/ref> Planning for the Army of 2040 is underway.U.S. Department of Defens
(28 Aug 2023) Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks Keynote Address: 'The Urgency to Innovate' (As Delivered)
Replicator, introduced at the "NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference"— Replicator is meant to overcome PRC's mass with AI ''en masse'' * Brandi Vincen
(28 Aug 2023) Hicks unveils DOD's new 'Replicator' initiative to counter China via autonomous tech
/ref>
Futures
*Long-range precision fires developments include:Breaking DefensA series on: Army Strategic Fires
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
(28 May 2019) Beyond INF: An Affordable Arsenal Of Long-Range Missiles?
INF Treaty likely to expire in August 2019 ** Hypersonic materiel development:Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr
(22 August 2018) Army Warhead Is Key To Joint Hypersonics
/ref> the Strategic long range cannon (SLRC), for a hypersonic projectile,Loren Thompso
(7 Aug 2020) Army breakthroughs in Long-range fires raise novel questions about targeting, organization, and command
about SLRC, a long-barrelled cannon which uses GPS-guided munitionsMatthew Co
(14 September 2018) The Army is developing a new strategic cannon to devastate targets over 1,000 miles away
/ref> is meant to have a range up to 1,000 nautical miles.Sean Gallaghe
(10/15/2019) Bringing in the big gun: Army paves way for "strategic cannon"
*Defense Update
(4 Feb 2019) U.S ARMY'S SUPER GUN - STRATEGIC LONG RANGE CANNON (SLRC)
Smaller GPS-enabled shells. An early ballistic test took place at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, as announced at AUSA in October 2019. SLRC was cancelled in March 2022.Jen Judso
(23 Mar 2022) US Army terminates science and technology effort for strategic long-range cannon
/ref> ** Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) development at Picatinny Arsenal: evaluate several manufacturing technologies, tied to the XM1113 munition. ERCA was cancelled in March 2024;Ashley Rocque
(11 Mar 2024) Army’s $186B budget request shuffles artillery, aviation plans
/ref> Gen. Rainey has ceded towed artillery as at its end-of-life.Ashley Rocqu
(26 Mar 2024) Towed artillery has reached 'end of the effectiveness', Army four-star declares
Rainey **Targeting with thousand-mile missiles,Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
(19 March 2019) Army Sets 2023 Hypersonic Flight Test; Strategic Cannon Advances
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg, Jr.
(11 September 2018) Aiming The Army's Thousand-Mile Missiles
Multi-domain Ft SillMaj. Anthony Clas, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs: (SEPTEMBER 4, 2019) Target Mensuration course: Bulldog Brigade trains target acquisition with precision Target Mensuration Only (TMO) Including TMO in a unit training plan
Maj. Anthony Clas (28 August 2019) Bulldog Brigade Trains Target Acquisition with Precision
/ref> "streamlining the sensor-shooter link at every echelon"—BGMonica K. Guthrie, LRPF communications directo
(9 October 2019) Army Futures Command gains new general
/ref> John Rafferty, in Integrated fire.Daniel Cebu
(8 Oct 2018) Army looks to a future of integrated fire
/ref>Sean Kimmons, Army News Servic
(24 October 2019) TITAN system being developed to tie 'deep sensing' to long-range fires
For use in I2CEWS battalion of a Multi-domain task forceSandra Erwi
(19 April 2021) U.S. Army approves plans for a future 'tactical space layer'
"tactical space layer will be integrated with an existing ground station called Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN)" *Mobile & Expeditionary Network Scott McKeanbr>(14 Jul 2021) AFC Pamphlet 71-20-9 Army Futures Command Concept for Command and Control - Pursuing decision dominance
AFCC-C2 is the future communications network. 14 Jul 2021 see
FUTURES AND CONCEPTS CENTER resources
/ref> / MDO Multi-domain operationsTodd South, Military Time
(8 May 2019) 4 things the general in charge of the Army's newest command says are needed to win the wars of the future
/ref> **Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT)Office of the Chief of Public Affair
(10.16.2019) 2019 AUSA Warriors Corner - TacticalSpace: Delivering Future Force Space Capabilities
*#Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing *#Tactical Space: SDA is structuring a multi-layer satellite system: *##Backbone layer for data transport downward to the long-range precision fires *##Custody layer for missiles' trajectories, whether friendly or threat *##Tracking layer for hypersonic glide vehicles which represent threats to the multi-layer satellite system *##Space situational awareness for cis-lunar trajectories, *#NavWar ARL Public Affair
(16 October 2018) Researchers develop technique to locate robots, Soldiers in GPS-challenged environments
/ref> ***An A-PNT event was scheduled at WSMR for August 2019 ***Prototype jam-resistant GPS kits are being fielded to 2nd Cavalry Regiment in US European Command (EUCOM) before year-end 2019. More than 300 Strykers of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment are being fitted with the Mounted Assured Precision Navigation & Timing System (MAPS), with thousands more planned for EUCOM.Thomas Brading, Army News Servic
(7 October 2019) Army fields anti-jam GPS, plans for thousands more by 2028
/ref> ***A Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) to Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) is under development.Dan Lafontaine, CCDC C5ISR Center Public Affair
(17 June 2019) Futures Command looks to enable plug-and-play PNT across Army platforms
/ref>Theresa Hitchens and Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(7 August 2019) Army Seeks Small Satellites To Support Ground Troops
3 programs: Gunsmoke, Lonestar and Polaris. *Theresa Hitchen
(12 October 2020) SMDC Pushes For New PNT, Tracking Sat Payloads
In addition to the 3 LEO satellite programs mentioned above, SMDC's technical center is working on project TITAN (Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node), a "common, mobile ground station" for the Army's tactical needs. ****Low Earth orbit satellites for Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing—"When you look at the sheer number of satellites that go up and the reduced cost to do it, it gives us an array of opportunities on how to solve the problems" in A-PNTGary Sheftick, Army News Servic
(10 March 2020) Army looks to leverage 'low Earth orbit' satellites
LEO satellites orbit 100-1200 miles above Earth ***ARL researchers have proposed and demonstrated a way for small ground-based robots with mounted antennas to configure
phased array
In antenna (radio), antenna theory, a phased array usually means an electronically scanned array, a computer-controlled Antenna array, array of antennas which creates a radio beam, beam of radio waves that can be electronically steered to point ...
s, a technique which usually takes a static laboratory to develop. Instead the researchers used robots to covertly create and focus a highly directional parasitic array (''see Yagi antenna'').CCDC Army Research Laborator(29 August 2019) Army scientists discover a new way for robots to exchange directed messages
/ref> ***ARL's Army Research Office is funding researchers at
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public university, public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 stud ...
, and University of Lille who have built a new 5G component using hexagonal boron nitride
Boron nitride is a thermally and chemically resistant refractory compound of boron and nitrogen with the chemical formula B N. It exists in various crystalline forms that are isoelectronic to a similarly structured carbon lattice. The hexago ...
which can switch at performant speeds, while remaining 50 times more energy-efficient than current materials—the "thinnest known insulator with a thickness of 0.33 nanometers".Kim, M., Pallecchi, E., Ge, R. et al(2020) Analogue switches made from boron nitride monolayers for application in 5G and terahertz communication systems. ''Nature Electron''
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41928-020-0416-x *U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(May 26, 2020) New 5G switch provides 50 times more energy efficiency than currently exists
/ref> ***ARL's Army Research Office is seeking diamond
colloid
A colloid is a mixture in which one substance consisting of microscopically dispersed insoluble particles is suspended throughout another substance. Some definitions specify that the particles must be dispersed in a liquid, while others exte ...
s, microscopic spheres which can assemble bottom-up into promising structures for laser action.Todd Sout(20 Nov 2020) New Army research breakthrough could lead to more powerful lasers
*David J. Pine is investigator for ARO, using colloids of microscopic spheres which can assemble bottom-up into promising structures. *Mingxin He, Johnathon P. Gales, Étienne Ducrot, Zhe Gong, Gi-Ra Yi, Stefano Sacanna, & David J. Pin
(23 Sep 2020) Colloidal diamond
/ref> ***A demonstration of proof of concept allows soldiers to communicate their position using a wearable tracking unit. The technology allows soldiers (or robots) to prosecute a fight even indoors or underground, even if GPS were lost.Michael Howar
(11 September 2020) Technology Providing Navigation in GPS-Denied Environment wins Grand Prize in xTechSearch Competition
/ref> *Air, Missile Defense:Sydney J Freedberg Jr.Jen Judso
(27 March 2019) Army debuts missile defense framework in move to counter drones, hypersonic threats
/ref>Paul McLear
(17 January 2019) Missile Defense Review a Multi-Billion IOU to White House
/ref>Miles Brow
(5 July 2019) Aviation, missile commander addresses workforce
CG Todd Royar's statement of his expectations *Lisa Simanuci, Aviation and Missile Command Public Affairs
—Maj. Gen. Todd Royar's talk at the Command and General Staff School An Integrated Air and Missile Battle Command System (IBCS)PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE MISSILES AND SPAC
(2018) Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Program Overview
award, including next software build.Jason Cutsha
(SMDC/ARSTRAT) (21 February 2019) SMDC supports the development of I2CEWS battalions for multi-domain operations
*Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(24 Jan 2019) Hack, Jam, Sense & Shoot: Army Creates 1st Multi-Domain Unit
an MDO BN for Targeting, I Corps of $238 million also funds initial prototypes of the command and control system for fielding in fiscal 2022.Gary Sheftick, Army News Service (13 March 2019)
FY20 budget to boost air & missile defense
/ref> *** Hypersonic glide vehicle launch preparations, beginning in 2020, and continuing with launches every six months.Sean Kimmons, Army News Service ***At Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, an FVL CFT-sponsored demonstration of interconnected sensors handed off control of a glide munition which had been launched from a Grey Eagle drone. When another group of sensors picked up a higher-priority target, another operator at the Tactical Operations Center redirected the glide munition to the higher-priority targe.Gary Sheftick, Army News Servic
(9 September 2019) Smart sensor network helps redirect missile
The GBU-69 was redirected; FARA is slated to replace AH-64 in subsequent A3I experimentsDan Gour�
(20 Mar 2020) SOCOM Has Solved the Military's 'Tower of Babel' Problem
/ref>Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(25 February 2020) Future Vertical Lift: Army's Aerial Vanguard
LRPF will be the prime customer for the AI targeting data provided via FVL. The Joint force is also a consumer of this data, provided by FVL's manned or unmanned missions. *Soldier lethality **Network CFT sponsors sensor-to-shooter prototype for multi-domain battle, 2019 operational assessment.Claire Heininge
(9 August 2018) Army, Air Force team on sensor to shooter prototype for multi-domain battle
/ref>Mark Pomerlea
(11 April 2018) In the move to multi-domain operations, what gets lost?
The space, cyber, and information domains transcend geographic AoRsDan Gour�
Need: MDO doctrine in DoD, Two theater operation at island & continent, augment BCTs with higher echelon capability **Night vision goggles thermal polarimetric camera. Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS)Andrew Eversde
(18 Oct 2021) Army Says Next-Gen AR Goggles Delayed Over Field Of View Issues
/ref>Joe Lacda
(13 May 2019) Augmented reality training on the horizon to give Soldiers edge in combat
allows repetition, for trainingTom McKa
(6 April 2019) The Army Just Gave a Press Demo of Microsoft's HoloLens 2 Military Prototype
/ref>Bridgett Site
(19 November 2019) Soldiers test new IVAS technology, capabilities with hand-on exercises
IVAS: 1 Soldier Touchpoint (STP) STP is becoming rapid acquisitions methodology for AFCKathryn Bailey, PEO C3T Public Affair
(19 November 2019) The Army's tactical network empowers advanced goggle platform
IVAS is under STP 2-- "In July 2020, STP 3 will fully integrate the ITN with IVAS"Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(13 December 2019) Soldiers, Coders Surprise Army Brass By Changing IVAS Goggles
FOV is turning out to be more important to the infantrymen than the range of the gogglesDevon L. Suits, Army News Servic
(9 December 2019) Third IVAS evaluation slated for July
Soldier Touchpoint successfully increased IVAS FOV to 80 degrees while range of the goggles was still at 900 meters, from thermal nightsight capabilityThomas Brading, Army News Servic
(10 February 2020) New technology recognizes faces in the dark, far away
Combines night vision with facial recognitionSydney J. Freedberg Jr
(5 October 2020) From 'Frankengoggle' To Battle-Ready: Army IVAS
waterproof IVAS The Synthetic Training Environment (STE) is available to some of the troops outfitted with IVAS.Adam Ston
(30 Sep 2021) US Army makes headway on Synthetic Training Environment
/ref> Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Army work on a common operating picture will be a foundation for joint operations.Andrew Eversde
(1 Dec 2021) Wormuth: Here's the Army's role in a Pacific fight
/ref>Immersive Op
3D Virtual Operations Center software platformCaitlin M Kenne
(1 Dec 2021) Army Would Have 5 'Core Tasks' in a Pacific Conflict
/ref>Ashley Rocqu
(15 May 2024) If Army's IVAS doesn't ace upcoming test, it could become bill payer: Rainey
/ref> **CCDC ARL researchers are developing a flexible, waterproof,
lithium-ion battery
A lithium-ion or Li-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses the reversible intercalation of Li+ ions into electronically conducting solids to store energy. Li-ion batteries are characterized by higher specific energy, energ ...
of any size and shape, for soldiers to wear; the electrolyte is water itself. In 2020 the batteries were engineering prototypes; by 2021 soldiers will wear the battery for themselves for the first time.Thomas Brading, Army News Servic(6 February 2020) Army scientists on verge of nearly unbreakable battery
First announced in 2015 ***CCDC ARL and DoE's PNNL are examining the solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) as it first forms during the initial charging of a lithium-ion battery. They have found an inner SEI (thin, dense, and inorganic—most likely lithium oxide) between the copper electrode, and an outer SEI which is organic and permeable—a finding which will be useful when building future batteries.U.S. Army CCDC Research Laboratory Public Affair
(5 February 2020) Army scientists look inside batteries with a molecular eye
CCDC ARL "teamed with researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory" (PNNL)
''Nature Nanotechnology'' (27 January 2020) Real-time mass spectrometric characterization of the solid–electrolyte interphase of a lithium-ion battery
/ref> **CCDC ARL and MIT researchers are formulating atomically thin materials to be layered upon soldiers' equipment and clothing for MDO information display and processing.CCDC Army Research Laborator
March 2020) Researchers imagine devices without cords or batteries
Molybdenum disulphide **Integrated, wearable cabling for capabilities such as IVAS, Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), or Nett Warrior are under development;Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affair
(4 May 2020) In modernization push, Army researches integrated power cables for Soldiers
uses technology from Foreign Comparative Testing program (FCT) the potential exists to reduce 20 pounds of batteries to half that weight.Dan Lafontaine, C5ISR Center Public Affair
(17 Jan 2020) Army boosts Soldier battery power for greater lethality, mobility
by using silicon-based anodes **CCDC ARL is studying additive manufacturing (3D printing) for munitions.U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affair
(25 February 2020) Additive manufacturing to provide Soldiers with cutting-edge munitions
They "printed the world's first 3-D hybrid microcontroller circuit on a hemisphere that survived high G environments". **Natick Soldier RDEC has awarded an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract to prototype soldier exoskeletons which augment human leg strength under harsh conditions.NSRDEC Public Affair
(15 October 2018) Natick's exoskeleton work is a powerful step toward the future of Soldier lethality
/ref>RDECOM Soldier Center, Public Affairs Offic
(23 January 2019) Soldier Center partners with industry experts to advance exoskeleton technologies
/ref>David Roz
(26 Aug 2022) The Army wants exoskeletons so soldiers can defeat their worst enemy: Lower back pain
Assistive technology adds 3 pounds of equipment, but stabilizes lower back ** DEVCOM Chem Bio Center (CBC) is developing sensors to detect contaminants.Jerilyn Colema
(28 Apr 2022) DEVCOM teams explore low-cost, lightweight sensors for warfighter use
Chem Bio Center (CBC) sensors to detect possible hazardous contamination **The Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)Thomas Brading, Army News Servic
(29 August 2019) Army closer to delivering new infantry squad vehicle
(ISV) *9 Soldiers of an infantry squad will maneuver in an ISV *Plans to purchase 649 prototypes were approved in February 2019 *3 industry leaders have been named (23 Aug. 2019), to deliver ISV prototypes *#Oshkosh Defense/Flyer, *#GM Defense, and *#SAIC/Polaris *Prototypes are due for initial assessment at Aberdeen Test Center 13 November 2019 through December 2019 *At Fort Bragg a second round of operational testing by Soldiers will be performed on the candidate ISV prototypes *Downselect to one vendor is expected 2nd Quarter of FY2020Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(8 October 2019) Who Will Build 651 Parachuting Trucks For The Army?
2 air-drop-able prototypes from each vendor due 13 November 2019, is meant to be airdropped for a squad of nine paratroopers.Kyle Mizokam
(13 Oct 2019) Meet the Army's New Airborne Trucks
/ref> The GM design was selected; first unit is expected at 1/82nd AB division in February 2021.GM Defense LL
(8 Aug 2020) US Army Selects GM Design for Infantry Squad Vehicle
*Sydney J. Freedberg Jr
(27 October 2020) GM Defense Delivers 1st Air-Droppable Trucks
Cybersecurity is part of ISV electronics *Kyle Mizokam
(29 Oct 2020) Here It Is: the Army's New Infantry Squad Vehicle
*Jane
(21 Oct 2019) AUSA 2019: GM Defense's Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) for U.S. Army
Youtube clip, 9:27. No armor, has Roll bars.Ashley Roqu
(5 Apr 2023) US Army waves green flag for Infantry Squad Vehicle full-rate production
/ref> ***A-PNT devices are being miniaturized, with more redundant positioning sources. ***In September 2019 in the Maneuver CoE's Battle Lab at
Fort Moore
Fort Benning (named Fort Moore from 2023–2025) is a United States Army post in the Columbus, Georgia area. Located on Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia's border with Alabama, Fort Benning supports more than 120,000 active-duty military, family me ...
, OneSAF simulations of a platoon augmented by UAS drones, ground robots, and AI were able to dislodge a defending force 3 times larger, repeatedly. But by current doctrine, a near-battalion would have been required to accomplish that mission.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr(19 December 2019) AI & Robots Crush Foes In Army Wargame
*PM IT
(October 2019) ONE SEMI-AUTOMATED FORCES (OneSAF)
*Roger Smit
(2008) OneSAF: Next Generation Wargame Model
pdf In February 2024 the department of the Air Force announced its intention to create the Space Futures Command.Michael Marrow and Theresa Hitchen
(12 February 2024) Air Force launches reorganization, as Kendall warns 'We are out of time' to match China
/ref>Unshin Lee Harple
(12 February 2024) Saltzman Announces Fourth Space Force Field Command: Space Futures Command
/ref> The US Air Force is seeking to launch Integrated Capabilities Command by year-end 2024 to set future requirements for the USAF.Stephen Lose
(3 May 2024) US Air Force eyes deadline to launch new command
Integrated Capabilities Command up and running by year-end 2024; responsible for future requirements for USAF.
List of commanding generals
Lieutenant General John M. Murray became Army Futures Command's first commanding general upon itsactivation
In chemistry and biology, activation is the process whereby something is prepared or excited for a subsequent reaction.
Chemistry
In chemistry, "activation" refers to the reversible transition of a molecule into a nearly identical chemical or ...
on 24 August 2018.Austin gets its general; Army Futures Command leader confirmed/ref>Jen Judso
(12 Jul 2021) Army Futures Command chief on what his team got right — and wrong — since its founding
/ref> Lieutenant General James E. Rainey (promoted to general on 7 October 2022) became AFC's second commanding general on 4 October 2022.
See also
* *Military budget of the United States
The military budget of the United States is the largest portion of the discretionary United States federal budget, federal budget allocated to the United States Department of Defense, Department of Defense (DoD), or more broadly, the portion o ...
* Command systems in the United States Army
* Air and Missile Defense
*
* Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program undertaken during World War II to produce the first nuclear weapons. It was led by the United States in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Canada.
From 1942 to 1946, the ...
* Space Warfighting Analysis Center
Notes
References
External links
*See AFC Events for the upcoming events: Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 26–28 March 2019: Multi-Domain Operations. Previous event: 8–10 October 2018
{{authority control 2018 establishments in the United States Buildings and structures in Austin, Texas Commands of the United States Army Military units and formations established in 2018 Futures