Responding to changes in warfare and how it executes its core missions, the Army has outlined the nature of future conflicts and what must be done to win. The fundamental concept of winning is based upon the control and dominance of information across the spectrum of all military operations. This concept is an extension of the intelligence gathering and field execution exhibited in the Gulf War.

Currently, forces of the Army are not optimally designed and organized to fully support these missions. The heavy forces of today, while decisive in a variety of combat and non-combat environments, require tremendous resources to deploy quickly and sustain themselves. In contrast, light forces can strike quickly but lack survivability, lethality, and tactical mobility. Both types of forces lack capabilities that will assume increasing importance in future decades. The requirements for greater lethality, survivability, and deployability across the entire force, resulting in greater versatility and agility for full-spectrum operations, point to the need for fundamental transformation and a new vision.

The Army Vision

For the 21st Century, the Army envisions a strategically responsive force that is dominant across the entire spectrum of operations and is responsive, deployable, agile, versatile, lethal, survivable, and sustainable.

• Strategic responsiveness requires forward-deployed forces, forward positioned capabilities, and force projection from the continental United States or any other location where needed capabilities reside. Specifically, the Army will be able to deploy a combat-capable brigade anywhere in the world within 96 hours, a combat-capable division within 120 hours, and five combat capable divisions within 30 days.
• Agility and versatility is the ability to move forces quickly from stability and support operations to war fighting and back. It requires platforms that are smaller and lighter, yet lethal and survivable.
• Lethality calls for every element in the war fighting formation to be capable of generating combat power and contributing decisively to the fight.
• Survivability means maximum protection to forces at the individual soldier level, whether mounted or dismounted.
• Sustainability is achieved by reducing the logistics footprint and replenishment demands of the Army, by controlling the number of vehicles deployed, leveraging reach-back capabilities, and investing in a system-of-systems approach to the design of weapons and equipment.

Achieving the Army's Vision

To achieve its vision, the Army has implemented a three-phase strategy: sustainment of the Legacy Force, development of an Interim Force, and evolution to an Objective Force, known today as FORCE XXI.

Legacy Force, Today's Army

The process of transforming the Army into the FORCE XXI will span decades. During this time, the Legacy Force will be recapitalized and selectively modernized. The objectives of this Legacy Force include the following:

• Retain the present day level of combat overmatch over all potential adversaries;
• Sustain combat power and survivability, with less weight and bulk;
• Achieve a commonality among platform, chassis, caliber, component, and battlefield operating systems that responds to a much broader range of operations;
• Reduce the deployed logistical footprint; and
• Enhance strategic responsiveness.

Systems now being fielded, and systems that will be fielded in the near term, may not be part of the ultimate Objective Force, though they could be used for up to thirty years or longer. An advanced field artillery system and the Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) are examples. An advanced field artillery system to replace the current Palladin would restore combat overmatch in cannon artillery to the United States. Cost-effective enhancements to the HET will reduce future Operations and Support (O&S) costs.

For the immediate future and well into the mid-term, the Legacy Force of today, complemented by the Interim Force as it is fielded over the next few years, will be the primary means by which the Army fulfills its readiness responsibilities to the Nation. Beginning with the Legacy Force, followed by the introduction of new equipments to the Interim Force, the transformation to the Objective Force will eventually encompass the entire Army.

Interim Force - Army After Next (AAN)

To bridge the gap between capabilities of today and the Objective Force, the Army is fielding an Interim Force. This force will be combined arms in design and organized as a rapidly deployable, full-spectrum force. Its core qualities include operational and tactical mobility, enhanced situational understanding, combined arms integration down to and including company level, and increased dismounted strength for close combat in urban and complex terrain.

The Interim Force includes systems that will not be a part of the ultimate Objective Force, though they may be in use for an indefinite period before they are phased out of service. The primary Interim Force combat platform will be a family of Interim Armored Vehicles (IAVs), capable of deployment anywhere in the world in a combat-ready configuration. By 2010, the Army will have outfitted most of its active component divisions with these systems.

Objective Force - FORCE XXI

The Objective Force, currently being tested as FORCE XXI, is the ultimate transformation goal which will become the future force that achieves all the characteristics described in the Army Vision. Based on data gathered during a series of advanced warfighting experiments conducted at Ft. Hood, Texas, and Ft. Irwin, California, The implementation of the Objective Force requires the adoption of a new division which will still be the most lethal combat force in the world even though it will have fewer soldiers, armored vehicles and weapon systems. Many of those systems includes systems available today, as well as those planned and being developed for production in the future.

Future Combat Systems (FCS) will be the centerpiece of the Objective Force. The Objective Force concept and its enabling technologies are currently under development. Its enabling capabilities will require continued investments in science and technology. FCS is envisioned as a digitized system-of-systems land combat capability with multi-mission functionality. Its main characteristics will include:

• A common design, allowing inter-changeable full-spectrum capability;
• Increased responsiveness, accuracy and lethality for a full range of fire-support missions;
• Improved operational force autonomy with reduced demands for fuel, spare parts, and munitions;
• Improved networked command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) links;
• Use of unmanned air and ground systems performing as reconnaissance, surveillance, or attack systems, as well as providing other battlefield functions;
• Current or enhanced levels of survivability;
• Enhanced lift capability, to enable rapid deployment; and
• Improved early warning and intercept of enemy ground and air launched conventional and smart weapons.

Transition Of Force XXI Concepts To The 1st Cavalry Division

In Fiscal Year (FY) 01 the 1st Cavalry Division began its transition to the Force XXI design. "Force XXI is the comprehensive process of the Army for modernizing and preparing for the challenges of the 21st Century. Force XXI projects our soldiers into the 21st century and provides them with the necessary doctrine and organizations, the most realistic training, and the best equipment and weapon systems that our nation can provide.

When the Division is equipped with Force XXI equipment that is fully digitized, it will create a "collaborative virtual environment" that, among other advantages, will give commanders separated by great distances the ability to communicate through various digital systems to provide situational awareness across the battlefield.

Implementation of Force XXI Concepts to the 1st Cavalry Division encompasses the following strategies or reorganization:

1. Seamless Integration -

• Multi-component Unit with a single Table of Organization.
• Reorganization downsizes active-duty personnel from the 01 May 2001 authorization of 17,000 to 15,526.
• Integration of 236 Reserve Component personnel throughout the Division consisting of 3 US Air Reserve and 233 Army Reserve National Guard.

2. Command and Control -

• Information exchange capability increased to control a larger battlespace.
• Division Main and Rear Command Post collocated.
• Signal planning performed in the Division Communications (G6).
• Added an Information Operations (IO) Cell that coordinates and synchronizes IO assets across the Division's Battlespace.

3. Maneuver -

• Added a Reconnaissance Troop to each Maneuvering Brigade.
• Utilization of 44 Weapon System Platforms per battalion, 3 companies per battalion and 4 vehicles per platoon.
• Infantry companies are composed of 3 squads x 3 platoons.
• Reduced and standardized scouting operations.
• Standardized mortar organizations to 4 tubes per battalion.
• Centralized the Combat Services Support (CSS) functions,
• Added a Forward Repair System (FRS) that provides improved maintenance readiness and responsiveness at the front where it is needed.

4. Fire Support -

• Maneuver brigades supported with the addition of Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicles (FISTV) and STRIKER HMMWV Vehicles.
• Eliminated Fire Support below company level.
• Downsized Paladin Crew from 9 to 8.
• Merged Service and Headquarters Batteries into one Headquarters Service Battery.
• Eliminated the 2nd Fire Direction Controller.

5. Mobility, Countermobility and Survivability -

• Engineer Brigade Planning Function is relocated to Division Headquarters in FY03.
• Engineer Armored Personnel Carriers is replaced with Bradley Tracked Armored Fighting Vehicles.
• Engineer Armored Combat Earthmovers. (ACE) is replaced by the GRIZZLY, an Obstacle Breaching Vehicle, and the Heavy Assault Bridges (AVLB) is replaced with the Wolverine as they are fielded.
• Combat Support Services (CSS) for engineers is centralized in Forward Support Battalions.
• The 68th Chemical Company is deactivated in FY03. The NBC function migrates to III Corps and the reconnaissance mission is transferred to the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry.

6. Combat Service Support -

• Incorporated a distributed, maneuver level based supply system.
• Centralized Combat Support Services (CSS) for Maneuver and Engineer Battalions that reduces stock inventories.
• Expanded maintenance training.
• Some functions "passbacked" to III Corps.

7. Air Defense Artillery -

• The 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense eliminates all Manportable Air Defense System (MANPADS) and dismount STINGERS.
• Added an AN/MPQ64, Search and Track Radar (SENTINEL) Platoon.
• Added twelve Low Level Air Defense (AVENGER) Systems, to bring the total to thirty-six vehicles, each employing MANPADS Under Armor (MUA).

8. Intelligence -

• Increased strength and staffing of Analysis Control Team for Aviation or Artillery use.
• Increased strength and staffing of Intelligence (S2) in Aviation Regiments and Cavalry Squadron.
• Increased interface with assets external to the Division.
• Added a Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) capability that provides Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) information in limited adverse weather conditions.

9. Communications -

• Added enhanced company, battalion, division and joint defense communication systems which enables the transfer of voice and digital information in a secure, common usage environment.

10. Force Protection and Security -

• Phase in of "up armored" vehicles.

Objective Force XXI Equipment Acquisition Summary

The initial equipment selected for the units of the 1st Cavalry Division is tabulated below. However, note that the final configuration of the Objective Force XXI will be modified based on simulations, field exercises and analysis of the Division design In its end configuration, Force XXI equipment will be ideally suited for joint operations and will be fully compatible with the operational systems of the other services. Seamless information connectivity with the other elements of the joint force will be its primary characteristic and is essential for the success of joint operations.

Unit Designation	Unit Type	Force XXI Equipment	Notes
1st Brigade
Brigade Recon Troop	Recon	14 M1025/26 HMMWV SCOUT
2nd Bn, 8th Cavalry	Armored	44 M1A2 SEP MBT
1st Bn, 12th Cavalry	Armored	44 M1A2 SEP MBT
2nd Bn, 5th Cavalry	Mechanized Infantry	44 M2A3 BFVS
2nd Brigade
Brigade Recon Troop	Recon	14 M1025/26 HMMWV SCOUT
1st Bn, 8th Cavalry	Armored	44 M1A2 SEP MBT
2nd Bn, 12th Cavalry	Armored	44 M1A2 SEP MBT
1st Bn, 5th Cavalry	Mechanized Infantry	44 M2A3 BFVS
3rd Brigade
Brigade Recon Troop	Recon	14 M1025/26 HMMWV SCOUT
2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry	Mechanized Infantry	44 M2A3 BFVS
1st Bn, 9th Cavalry	Mechanized Infantry	44 M2A3 BFVS
3rd Bn, 8th Cavalry	Armored	44 M1A2 SEP MBT
Aviation Brigade
1st Bn, 227th Avn Rgt	Attack Combat	24 AH64D LOT IV	FY03 AH64D LOT VII
2nd Bn, 227th Avn Rgt	Combat Support	24 UH60L
"B" Co, 2nd Bn, 149th Avn	Combat Support	8 UH60L	TX ARNG 49th AD
1st Sqdrn, 7th Cavalry	Armored & Air Cavalry	16 OH58D Kiowa 27 M1A2 SEP MBT 43 M3A3 BFBS 6 M93A1 FOX NBCRS	Upgrade RAH66 W/Available Scheduled FY03
Division Artillery
1st Bn, 82nd Field Arty	Medium Artillery	18 M109A6 Paladin (N1)	Supts 1st Bde
2nd Bn, 82nd Field Arty	Medium Artillery	18 M109A6 Paladin (N1)	Supts 2nd Bde
3rd Bn, 82nd Field Arty	Medium Artillery	18 M109A6 Paladin (N1)	Supts 3rd Bde
1st Bn, 21st Field Arty	Rocket Artillery	12 M270 MLRS	General Supt
"C" Btry, 131st Field Arty	Rocket Artillery	6 M270 MLRS	TX ARNG Unit, 49th AD
68th Chemical Company	NBC Reconnaissance	6 M93A1 FOX NBCRS	FY03 Deactivated
Engineer Brigade			FY03 Deactivated
8th Engineer Bn	Combat Engineer	Each Bn Eqp'd With 29 M2A2ODS-E 21 M9 ACE (N2) 12 M60 AVLB (N3)	Supts 3rd Bde
20th Engineer Bn	Combat Engineer		Supts 1st Bde
91st Engineer Bn	Combat Engineer		Supts 2nd Bde
Divisional Support (DISCOM)
15th Supt Battalion (FWD)	Heavy Equipment Transport (HET) Palletized Load System (PAL) Forward Repair System (FRS) Load Handling System (HEMTT_LHS) Movement Tracking System (MTS)		Supts 2nd Bde
27th Supt Battalion (MAIN)			2nd Level Supt
115th Supt Battalion (FWD)			Supts 1st Bde
215th Supt Battalion (FWD)			Supts 3rd Bde
615th Supt Battalion (AVN)			Supts Avn Bde
Material Mgm't Center
Division Assets
4th Bn, 5th ADA	Forward Air Defense	1 Sentinel AN/MPQ64 36 Avenger 24 M6 Linebacker	Aerial Acquisition Aerial Defense Each W/6 MUR
13th Signal Bn	Communications	Warfighter Information Network (WIN) Global Broadcasting System (GBS) AN/PSC-5 EMUT Spitfire SMARTT Secure Terminal Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS)
312th Intelligence Bn	Intelligence & EW	Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) Common Ground Station (CGS) AN/TSQ-179
545 MP Company	Security & Protection	14 M1025/26 HMMWV 29 M1114 HMMWV W/Up Armor

Note 1:Replaced W/Advanced Field Artillery System
Note 2:Replaced W/Obstacle Breaching Vehicle (Grizzly)
Note 3:Replaced W/Heavy Assault Bridge (Wolverine)

Because the Force XXI organizational and equipment concept will be modular in nature, it can easily tailored to the necessary force package to meet the needs of a joint force commander. This modularity will allow the generation, projection, and sustaining force packages for any type of military situations and operations.

The mission of the Army is to equip a capability based upon the achievement of a full-spectrum dominance against any potential enemy across the entire field of military operations by 2015 - 2020. Appendix "K" details the descriptions and features of the next generation weapon system replacements that have been tested and will be fielded to support the reorganization of the new 1st Cavalry Division. It is important to note that even though that each of the systems described can deliver a deadly force, they are not isolated pieces of individual equipment. Rather, they are the building blocks needed to create the integrated capabilities that are the defining capabilities of AAN and FORCE XXI.