the Future Combat System (FCS),

[locksly]

In 1999, the Army set its course for the future with a vision to transform into a fighting force more lethal, agile and rapidly deployable than any ground combat system in the world. The centerpiece of this dominating force is the Future Combat System (FCS), a system of unmanned and manned ground and aerial vehicles that will enable the Army to see first, understand first, act first and finish decisively on the battlefield of the future.

Included in FCS is a system of Manned Ground Vehicles (MGVs), including a non-line-of-sight cannon (NLOS-C). The MGVs will provide a network of eight vehicle types that integrate advanced technologies, and enhanced survivability into, 20-ton platforms. These vehicles will replace the army?s existing fleet of heavy armored vehicles. They will be the most lethal, best-networked and most responsive ground combat units in the world thanks to a number of common, digital command-and-control elements and advanced weapon technologies. The vehicles are scheduled to begin production by 2008, with full operational capability achieved by 2012.

The NLOS-C System Demonstrator is the first look at what Army platforms of the future could look like. Its primary purpose is to serve as a proof-of-principle test-bed that will demonstrate the feasibility of a 20-ton cannon platform and several advanced mobility technologies. These demonstrations will provide the data that the Army and its industry partners require as they develop the NLOS-C and its accompanying fleet of manned ground vehicles that will serve as the key combat systems for FCS.

http://www.military.com/soldiertech/...soldiertech.nl http://www.uniteddefense.com/prod/nlos_cannon.htm

[Robert Ryan]

Whoa those are some fierce looking weapons.