JULY 12, 2019 - When Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Crosby first interviewed to be Army Futures Command's enlisted leader, he had no idea what to expect. The command was still in its nascent stages with no headquarters building and he could only find a brief description of its vision to modernize the Army. Instead, Crosby was focused on the battlefield, observing his troops … [Read more...]
Army Rebuilding Short-range Air Defense
JULY 5, 2019 - The Army is now standing up short-range air defense units, known as SHORAD battalions, and offering a five-week pilot Stinger course for Soldiers in maneuver units. It's part of a critical effort to defend maneuver units against the threat of aircraft, drones and cruise missiles, said Col. Mark A. Holler, commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School at Fort … [Read more...]
82nd Airborne Infantry Soldiers to Test Light Tank Next Year
JULY 2, 2019 - Infantry Soldiers are closer to getting their hands on a "light tank" that will boost the firepower of their formations without slowing them down. The Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle, part of the Next-Generation Combat Vehicles suite, is currently in competition after two vendors were chosen in December to each build 12 prototypes for under $376 million. … [Read more...]
Army Reduces Insurance Payments for Weather, Natural Disasters
JUNE 28, 2019 - Effective May 29, the Army will no longer pay claims for personal property loss due to weather and natural disasters. On May 29, Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper signed Army Directive 2019-21, Restrictions on Personnel Claims Payments, eliminating payments to Soldiers and Department of the Army civilians for damage or destruction of personal property … [Read more...]
Robotic Combat Vehicles Could Change Way Army Looks, Fights
JUNE 27, 2019 - Similar to how a boxer with a longer reach finds it easier to hit an opponent, the Army is looking to punch through the standoff defenses of near-peer adversaries. Army Futures Command is behind many of the Army's efforts to achieve that overmatch, which include over 30 projects within its Cross-Functional Teams that are responsible for tackling … [Read more...]