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Future Force Warrior (previously known as Objective
Force Warrior) is now scheduled to be the third capability upgrade
phase of the Land warrior System (also known as
Land Warrior Block III). Future
Force Warrior (FFW) is designed as an integrated "system of
systems", as part of the army transformation to a soldier-centric
force which will complement and fully integrate with the Future
Combat Systems (FCS). Two uniform systems are under development. The
Future Force Warrior system will be available for fielding to
soldiers in 2010. The Vision 2020 Future Warrior system, which will
follow on the concept of the 2010 Future Force Warrior system, 10
years later. General Dynamics Eagle Enterprise unit is the
technology integration team leader for FFW, Currently in detailed
design phase. The current program will be followed by prototype
development and demonstration and non-competitive system development
and demonstration phases FFW program is scheduled for completion by
the year 2010 and worth between one to three billion US$ over a ten
year period.
FFW is designed to provide ten-fold increase in lethality and
survivability of the infantry platoon. Such dramatic increase will
be achieved by enhanced situational awareness, precise and effective
firepower and netted communications, far better than current
standards for tactical communications. Individual dismounted
soldiers will get direct access to network-centric information and
access any relevant service required and made available for their
mission. Another key issue resulting from this process, is to lighten the
soldier’s load. From over 100 pounds currently carried by combat
soldiers, to around 45 pounds.
The Land Warrior basic unit will be a four men strike
team, provided with an independent intra-team and squad and platoon
communication. The squad will have communications and command and
control facilities to manage multiple strike teams including
coordinated, multi-directional assaults. The squad will operate
three strike teams, a squad leader, a system's squad leader and a
situational awareness and effects non-commissioned officer (NCO).
The unit will also have provisions to control direct and indirect
fire by their own unit as well as adjacent formations. The unit will
be self-sustained for 24 hours and will also carry additional
supplies for further 48 hours on a manned/unmanned "mule". The squad
will have 81mm and 60mm mortars, new support weapons,
The integrated individual combat system will comprise weapon system,
protection suite, navigation, and information processing and
communications systems. The program supports both individual and
unit level operations, with increased lethality, survivability,
communications, and responsiveness. Future Force Warriors will
initially use existing individual weapons, while current squad
weapons will be replaced by a new XM-307 Individual weapons will be
equipped with advanced fire control, optimized for urban combat, and
enable to synchronize direct and indirect fires from Future Combat
System such as NLOS-LS
and JCM missile,
precision mortar and
artillery support and more.
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