The proposed cancellation of the Manned Ground Vehicles part of the Future Combat Systems (FCS) programme is unlikely to deal a crippling blow to the US Army's modernisation aspirations.rnInstead, by calling a halt to the programme the army is being given the opportunity to develop vehicles that will provide a significant increase in capability, taking into account the lessons learned in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003.rnAdditionally, by cutting the FCS manned vehicles the army will ensure that funding is available for the wider FCS programme, incorporating elements of the Ground Soldier System programme, network-centric warfare developments, unmanned ground and air vehicles as well as ground sensors. These are likely to be rolled Into existing platforms under the FCS 'spin-outs'. The original FCS concept was developed at a time when it was perceived that high levels of mobility, combined with increased situational awareness, would provide greater success than high levels of armoured protection. However, in a decade that has seen the main battle tank re-emerge as a vital asset and an emphasis placed firmly on protection against an array of threats, the FCS vehicles were in danger of becoming, obsolete before even they could enter service.
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