Boeing begins delivering Brigade Combat Team Modernization capabilities to US Army
Boeing today announced that it began delivering Brigade Combat Team Modernization (BCTM) Increment 1 hardware to the US Army on Nov. 17, and made a second delivery on Nov. 22. The hardware included Network Integration Kit-equipped Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and Humvees, along with Unattended Ground Sensors and Unmanned Ground Vehicles.
These deliveries, which will continue through second quarter of 2011, are part of the low-rate initial production contract that Boeing received in February for the first brigade set of BCTM Increment 1 capabilities. The Army now will conduct additional verification testing prior to the capabilities' Initial Operational Test & Evaluation in 2011 and their subsequent deployment to Afghanistan in 2012.
"These deliveries are the culmination of many years of design and field testing to improve this system's reliability and usability for the nation's warfighters," said George Smith, Boeing BCTM Increment 1 Operations project manager. "We knew the schedule was going to be difficult, but this team excels at making the difficult happen."
BCTM Increment 1 capabilities will provide soldiers with enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as increased survivability and lethality. The capabilities will include:
- Network Integration Kit: an integrated computer system that hosts the latest communications and radio systems and battle command software, providing the initial network connectivity needed to transfer sensor and communication data.
- Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle: a robotic system capable of reconnaissance missions in dangerous or difficult situations such as entering buildings, caves and tunnels.
- Class I Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV): a small, soldier-operated UAV that can hover for reconnaissance and surveillance while providing target acquisition.
- Unattended Ground Sensors: multi-mode surveillance sensors for target detection, location and classification, with an imaging capability for identification.
Source: Boeing
More from Land Warfare
-
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.
-
NSPA signs new helmet system framework deal and agreement for C-UAS systems
The Caiman helmet has been designed to be scalable for dynamic operations with mission-specific accessories and can incorporate electronics, communications headsets and other critical equipment.
-
US Missile Defense Agency’s budget could be cut by $2.6 billion over the next three years
The reduction would impact several acquisition and development programmes, creating capabilities gaps in US missile defence architecture.
-
Israel ramps up Arrow-4 development following Iranian attack
Israel’s Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the development of the Arrow-4 ballistic missile interceptor in response to recent Iranian ballistic missile attacks.