Army must address irregular warfare needs.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 March 2006
• Author: Gavrilis, James A.
• Published date: 01 March 2006
• Author: Gavrilis, James A.

The Army's largest-ever modernization program, the Future Combat Systems, is expected to deliver a kit bag of new capabilities for the tactical force. Although it's easy to see how FCS technologies will provide a clear advantage in the conventional fight, it is less clear how this program will improve capabilities in unconventional warfare.

The most unconventional warriors in the U.S. military, the special operations forces, are likely to welcome the improved conventional capabilities of FCS, but the program also must ensure that it addresses the difficult requirements of irregular warfare.

For example, how will the FCS help our conventional forces succeed in operations that require them to shift from combat to humanitarian aid to civil affairs duties?

Conventional systems have essentially focused on finding and destroying enemy formations hiding in physical terrain. FCS for the most part enhances these capabilities. Its components are conventional platforms that are designed to see, shoot, move, and communicate farther and faster with increased protection.

But in the context of the global war on terrorism, and Iraq and Afghanistan, we have to look beyond the tactical engagement.

The operations in which U.S. forces currently are engaged are not limited to the application and escalation of force...