The Army is under orders to reconsider the Future Combat Systems program to replace our heavy armor:
The Army said yesterday that it plans to restructure its $160 billion weapons modernization program, known as Future Combat Systems, marking a major shift in one of the Pentagon's most closely watched and expensive projects.
In the most significant change, the Army said that it will outfit all 73 of its combat brigades with the high-tech equipment developed under the program, rather than the 15 brigades it had originally projected.
The Army also said it will cancel $87 billion worth of light armored ground vehicles following a recommendation by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates. The vehicles, which were intended to replace Bradley Fighting Vehicles and tanks, would have relied on improved surveillance technology to compensate for their lack of heavy armor.
The idea that we don't need armor because we'll shoot first--every time--has never made sense to me. I've long been critical of the FCS as a replacement for the Abrams and Bradley.
As far as building something between heavy armor and leg infantry, I think our Strykers (and their variants) are just fine. Why build another light--and very expensive--armored vehicle?
We need another heavy tank. Although perhaps we already have it.
