Wednesday, December 03, 2008

FBCB2

IOC: 1995
Total Production: 73,463
Total Program's Cost: USD$3.4 billion

Unitary Cost: USD$60,000

Also Known As
Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below

Origin
United States of America

Contractor/s
Northrop Grumman

Applications
E-8C Joint STARS

Description: Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) is a system of computer hardware and software that forms a wireless, tactical internet for on the move, near real-time situational awareness, and command and control on the battlefield. FBCB2 software and hardware enables battlefield digitization covering from operations centers to vehicle mounted and dismounted systems. The system uses terrestrial tactical radio signals and satellite communications to generate a network-centric environment.

Northrop-Grumman has been developing the FBCB2 capability to demonstrate network-centric operations for the US Army since January 1995. The FBCB2 system full rate production was approved by the Army's Systems Acquisition and Review Council in August 2004. More than 10,000 systems have been installed in airborne and ground platforms. In the near term, the system is expected to support the Future Force/Objective Force and Joint Forces vision.

To date, FBCB2 has been deployed in Afghanistan, Balkans and Iraq. It has been integrated with Army Battle Command System and E-8C J-STARS airborne surveillance platform. The next challenges will be to develop a handheld FBCB2-compliant device, integration with emerging tactical sensor systems, and beginning convergence of US Army and Marine Corps systems for Joint Blue Force situational awareness.

In September 2004, Northrop-Grumman was awarded a contract to provide installation kits and engineering support for installing as many as 13,000 FBCB2-blue force tracking systems on US Army's vehicles and aircraft. In April 2005, FBCB2 was recognized for its role during military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

News
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Operators

United States of America / 73,463

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
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Last Updated: Saturday, November 22, 2008

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