CRS INSIGHT
Army Futures Command (AFC)
Updated September 10, 2018 (IN10889)
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Andrew Feickert
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Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces (afeickert@crs.loc.gov, 7-7673)
The Issue
The Army's post-Cold War development of major combat systems has been characterized by a number of high-profile
program cancellations, such as Crusader, an artillery system cancelled in 2002 after having spent $2.2 billion;
Comanche, a helicopter program cancelled in 2004 after having spent $7.9 billion; and the Future Combat System
(FCS), cancelled in 2009 after having spent $18.1 billion. In addition to the expenditure of resources, these cancellations
have impeded the development of newer, more capable systems, permitting potential adversaries to achieve battlefield
parity and, in some cases, superiority over U.S. ground combat systems. The Army describes the
issue as follows:
The Army's current requirements and capabilities development practices take too long. On average, the Army takes
from 3 to 5 years to approve requirements and another 10 years to design, build, and test new weapon systems. The
Army is losing near-peer competitive advantage in many areas: we are outranged, outgunned, and increasingly outdated.
Private industry and some potential adversaries are fielding new capabilities much faster than we are. The speed of
change in war fighting concepts, threats, and technology is outpacing current Army modernization constructs and
processes.
The Proposed Solution: Army Futures Command
In November 2017, the Army established a Modernization Task Force to examine the options for establishing an Army
Futures Command (AFC) intended to establish unity of command and effort that consolidates the Army's modernization
process under one roof. Currently, Army modernization activities are primarily spread among Forces Command
(FORSCOM), Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Army Materiel Command (AMC), Army Test and
Evaluation Command (ATEC), and the Army Deputy Chief of Staff G-8. Intended to be a 4-star headquarters largely
drawn from existing Army commands, AFC was planned to be established in an urban environment with ready access to
academic, technological, and industrial expertise. On July 13, 2018, the Army announced that AFC would be
headquartered in Austin, TX, and that it had achieved initial operating capability on July 1, 2018. Reportedly, a number
of factors and incentives influenced the Army's decision, including cost of living and access to Army facilities and
ranges. According to the Army, when AFC reaches full operating capacity in summer 2019, the headquarters will
comprise about 500 personnel (about 100 uniformed and 400 Army civilians). Sub-organizations, many of which
currently reside within FORSCOM, TRADOC, and AMC, will transition to AFC, and there are no plans to physically
