Army Names First Operational Unit to Receive Increment 1 Technology

Army Names First Operational Unit to Receive Increment 1 Technology

What is it'

The Increment 1 Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) equipment set is part of the Army's strategy to develop and field capability packages, which provide the Army a regular process to strengthen our units with the latest materiel and non-materiel solutions to the evolving challenges of the operating environment.

Increment 1 consists of the small unmanned ground vehicle, class 1 block 0 unmanned air vehicle, tactical and urban unattended ground sensors, the non-line of sight launch system, and network integration kits.

All Increment 1 systems are networked to support sharing of detailed tactical and visual data across the IBCT, thus leveraging, supplementing and improving existing current force networks.

What has the Army done'

The 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Armor Division (AD) headquartered at Fort Bliss, Texas, will be the first Army BCT to receive these Increment 1 networked systems starting in 2011.

With the Increment 1 equipment, the 3-1AD will conduct an initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E), to provide a valid assessment of system operational effectiveness and suitability. The IOT&E will culminate four years of rigorous tests of these capabilities and will factor into a full rate production decision for Increment 1 IBCT capabilities

What continued efforts does the Army have planned for the future'

3-1AD is the first brigade in division history to be a light infantry unit. Activated in July 2009, it will consist of 3,400 Soldiers. Training on the Increment 1 equipment will begin in early 2011.

Pending the outcome of IOT&E tests, an additional eight Brigade Combat Teams will receive Increment 1 equipment between 2012 and 2013.

Why is this important to the Army'

The Army BCT modernization strategy will build a versatile mix of mobile, networked BCTs that will leverage mobility, protection, information, and precision fires to conduct effective Operations across the spectrum of conflict. Key to modernizing the Army BCTs is to empower Soldiers with increased intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and lethality capabilities.

Resources:

<a href="http://www.bctmod.army.mil" target="_blank"> Army Brigade Combat Team Modernization</a>