Preliminary Design Review Validates Technological Maturity of Future Combat Systems Common Controller

Boeing and Science Applications International together the Lead Systems Integrator (LSI) for the U.S. Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) modernization program, today announced that the program's Common Controller has successfully completed its preliminary design review (PDR). This evaluation allows the Common Controller to begin testing with the Army later this year.

"The combined government and industry team delivered a mature design that meets the FCS program schedule and requirements," said Roy Seaton, FCS LSI Common Control program manager. "The Common Controller will serve many FCS systems, and this successful, timely review paves the way for our customers to evaluate early design prototypes."

The Common Controller consolidates control of numerous systems into one integrated controller, simplifying logistics and empowering the soldier. Primarily, it controls the FCS Class I Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, the Multifunctional Utility/Logistics Equipment vehicle, the Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle, unattended ground sensors, and select ground vehicle functions and their respective payloads.

The controller also provides situational awareness to dismounted soldiers conducting operations outside of their vehicles. The Common Controller hardware is being developed and supplied to the Lead Systems Integrator by Lockheed Martin in Grand Prairie, Texas.

"The Common Controller PDR marks the successful completion of the last of our individual platform and system reviews and clears the way for the FCS System-of-Systems PDR in May," said Gregg Martin, Boeing vice president and FCS program manager.

"The entire FCS One Team continues to execute to their commitments, which enables our program to remain on plan. Following the System-of-Systems PDR, we'll be focusing on executing our critical design reviews and moving into final test and evaluation of our systems."