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Background – FLCS Project – Future Combat
Systems for the Army |
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The Family of Land Combat Systems is a grab bag of future CF projects that covers artillery, vehicles,
and even the individual soldier equipment. 'Omnibus' components include: Future Combat Vehicle
Systems (including Close Combat Vehicles), Future
Direct Fire Capability, Future Indirect Fire Capability, Future Soldier Systems, Future Service Support
Systems, Future Network Capability, Autonomous Systems, etc. Here we review the major vehicle components
of FLCS.
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Artillery features large among the components of the FLCS and one of the earliest elements to
surface was the Future Indirect Fire Capability. FIFC
centred around truck-based MAVS [1] – but
little has been heard of that 105mm system since the CF fielded 155mm M777 howitizers in Afghanistan. Options for a 155mm gun carrier might
include a LAV III or the Supacat Portee.
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LRPRS – Long Range Precision Rocket System
Another artillery component of FLCS is the Long
Range Precision Rocket System. Due to the terms of its LOI, LRPRS is assumed to be aimed at the Lockheed Martin's MLRS, available as
an off-the- shelf system based on the tracked M270 launcher or truck-based M142 HIMARS. Neither chassis is
now in CF service but used vehicles are available.
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While discussing CF armoured vehicle priorities in mid-2008, Chief of Land Staff, LGen Andrew Leslie,
mentioned an armoured patrol vehicle which would be smaller than a Coyote but better protected than a
G-wagon. This is called a Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle. TAPV is considered a key component of FLCS and,
ultimately, will replace both the Coyote (now being upgraded) and the RG-31 APV as well as some
G-Wagons. Other than being armoured and smaller than a Coyote, there are few details about TAPV.
[2] DND wants a wheeled vehicle but emphasizes mobility. An improved Fennek [3] is one
possibility, the recce version of the US JLTV [4] is another.
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Although not core parts of FLCS, LGen Leslie also mentioned a heavy infantry assault vehicle. 'HIAV' is an Israeli term associated with very heavy APCs based
on tank chassis (like their Achzarit). Even in small numbers said to be required, the HIAV would represent a
radical change for the CF. Later in 2008, the list of tank-based vehicles expanded to include engineering variants excluded from the Leopard 2s'
rebuild. [5] New emphasis has also been placed on another FLCS type – the CCV, covered separately.
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[1] MAVs was to mount an existing 105mm howitzer on an open truck to provide net-centric, 'shoot-and-scoot' fire
support. The language used hints at how long this 'transitional' concept has been around. MAVS predates the Kandahar
deployment and the modern IED threat.
[2] As a 'mini-Coyote', this Armoured Tactical Patrol Vehicle would seem to eclipse the LARV
Project with something more like an M-ATV.
[3] Being a low-slung vehicle, Fennek didn't fare that well with mines and IEDs. The original Fennek
has now been upgraded with add-on armour packages. KMW has also developed a 'next-generation' Fennek,
the better protected F2 (originally known as the GP-F2T Fennek).
[4] The Joint Light Tactical Vehicles seem to have survived the recent DoD budget cuts. That can't be
said for the 'vehicle component' of the planned Future Combat Systems. It was generally assumed that the CF's
Future Combat Vehicle would draw heavily from the US FCS.
[5] Neither Armoured Engineer
Vehicles nor AVLB bridge-layers are mentioned in the Tank Replacement Project
LOI although Armoured
Recovery Vehicles were. Since then, Leopard 2 implements, ARV, and AEV have been covered in a Force Mobility Enhancement
project. Specific NPPs have also been issued for Leopard 2 ARV conversions
( 8 + 4 options) and Leopard 2 AEV conversions ( 13 + 5
options).
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