General Speakes: Billions still expected for reset, new weapons

Above: Future Combat Systems (FCS) is the Pentagon's modernization program consisting of inter-connected manned and unmanned systems, controlled by a common network. Meant to be the core building block for the future, the program is also intended to work across all branches of the military, though it is being developed entirely inside a US Army program office. Precursor FCS technologies are already in use in Iraq and Afghanistan. For the 'Reset' program (short for 'resetting the force) the Army is taking a series of steps to reverse the stress of combat on equipment as forces redeploy. It consists of repairing and modernizing equipment, replacing battle losses, and 'recapitalizing' (acquisition of replacement equipment) along with personnel reorganization and training for the new brigade-centric modular formations which will be an essential part of the Future Combat System.

A top Army official expects lawmakers will not take money from the Future Combat Systems program to repair and replace the Army’s war-worn vehicles and equipment...

The Army has said it likely will need $12 billion to $13 billion annually for up to three years following the end of combat in Iraq to reset its forces. At the same time, service officials are pressing ahead with the ambitious $200 billion FCS effort, which aims to network a host of new manned and unmanned systems.

Former officials and analysts have predicted that mounting war bills will eventually force Pentagon officials or Congress to scale back large defense acquisition programs like FCS. So far, however, the Defense Department has managed to garner record levels of funding since the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan began.

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