Lessons from future combat systems.

• Author: Samuel, Alan J.
• Position: READER'S FORUM - Letter to the editor

* I have more than 30 years of engineering experience in the design, development and production of combat and related vehicles, including the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the M113 Vehicle Family. When we developed new vehicles in the past, we were directly responsible to the Army's Tank Automotive Command program manager, and not to a "non-combat vehicle contractor," which is the case for FCS, the Army's Future Combat Systems.

Quoting from your February 2009 article, "Defense Secretary Robert Gates has expressed concerns about the cost and technical scope of FCS, although he vowed to support the program for the time being. Several members of Congress also have voiced discontent about FCS'...