Ground system funding in FY 2018 DoD budget
NewsJune 30, 2017
WASHINGTON. Funding slated for major ground systems totals $11.2 billion under the Department of Defense (DoD) Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 acquisition funding request, an increase of $1.4 billion over the FY 2017 request.
This funding request is detailed in the DoD’s “Program Acquisition Cost by Weapons System” booklet, which details programs that have been designated as Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs). Of the Trump Administration’s $208.6 billion FY 2018 budget request, $94.9 billion, or 46 percent is designated for key MDAP programs.
Ground systems funding includes the Army efforts to continue to modernize and upgrade MDAP programs such as Stryker vehicles, Abrams Tanks, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and Paladin 155mm Howitzers. The Marine Corps’ ground force focus in FY 2018 is on the Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV). All the Services will procure the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) as part of the low rate initial production (LRIP). Program highlights are below. To read the entire booklet, click here.
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is a joint program currently in development for the Army and Marine Corps. The FY 2018 program calls for funding the third and final year of LRIP, procuring 2,777 trucks. It continues full up system level (FUSL) test, multi-service operational test and evaluation (MOT&E), automatic fire extinguishing system (AFES) test, and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) test. FY 2018 funding requested is $1.142 billion up from $775.8 million in the FY 2017 request.
The Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV) will replace the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier program that was terminated in 2007. The FY 2018 program funds engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) prototype testing (including performance and reliability testing), completion of the interim design review (IDR) and the functional configuration audit (FCA), continued development of logistics support products, procurement of live fire test assets, and procurement of 107 LRIP vehicles. FY 2018 funding requested is $674.4 million up from $184.2 million in the FY 2017 request.
The Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles (FHTV) consists of the Palletized Load System (PLS) and the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT). The FY 2018 program calls for funding the procurement of 621 FHTVs, as well as trailers to modernize the heavy tactical vehicle fleet for the active, National Guard, and reserve units and to fill urgent theater requirements. FY 2018 funding requested is $118 million up from $57.1 million in the FY 2017 request.
The M1A2 Abrams is the Army’s main battle tank, which first entered service in 1980. It was produced from 1978 until 1994. Since then, the Army has modernized it with a series of upgrades to improve its capabilities, collectively known as the System Enhancement Package (SEP) and the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK). The FY 2018 program funds the upgrade of 56 M1A1 vehicles variants to the M1A2 SEP v3 variant. Continues support of the engineering change proposal (ECP) 1A installation of M1A2SEP v3 production in FY 2018 and as well as numerous approved modifications to fielded M1A2 Abrams tanks, including the Ammunition Data Link (ADL) to enable firing of the Army’s new smart 120mm ammunition, Low Profile Commander’s Remote Operating Weapon Station (CROWS) and Active Protection System. FY 2018 funding requested is $1.213 billion up from $898.7 million in the FY 2017 request.
Stryker is a 19-ton wheeled armored vehicle that provides the Army with a family of 17 different vehicles
(10 flat bottom and 7 Double V-Hull). The FY 2018 program funds ECP 1 testing, ECP 2 lethality upgrade and continues support of the application of multiple fleet-wide modifications. Modifications address the following areas: training devices: command, control, communications, computers, intelligence (C4I) obsolescence; reliability, capability and performance degradation; safety; and operational-related issues. It also provides for the fielding of a 30mm weapon system. FY 2018 funding requested is $178.2 million down from $735.4 million in the FY 2017 request.
The Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) will replace the aging Amphibious Assault Vehicle. The FY 2018 program funds the purchase of four FUSL test vehicles and continued test and evaluation efforts. It procures the LRIP of 26 vehicles, plus procurement of related items such as production support, systems engineering/program management, engineering change orders (ECOs), government furnished equipment (GFE), and integrated logistics support, and initial spares, which support the ACV Increment 1.1 program. Milestone C is scheduled in FY 2018. FY 2018 funding requested is $340.5 million up from $158.7 million in the FY 2017 request.
