The Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is modernizing the way the United States Army provides communications for tactical and training operations. Use of the tactical network and tactical radios provides realistic training and will enhance the live training experience (individual and collective). The unique challenge for the FCS Brigade Combat Team (BCT) is to be able to utilize its fully embedded training capability, while remaining seamlessly interoperable with a multitude of Tactical Engagement Systems (TES), target systems, Instrumentation Systems and their inherent communication backbones.

This paper will focus on the communication and radio requirements for the Combat Training Centers (CTCs), the challenges associated with bandwidth and spectrum availability, and how the operational data collected during training will be used for the training exercise After Action Reviews (AARs). The authors get to the core of the Live embedded training paradigm facing FCS and address the seemingly unrelenting questions. How can we design an embedded dual-purpose tactical and training communication system that can interoperate with the Army Combat Training Centers (CTC) and Homestation Instrumentation Systems, as well as replicate an instrumented range training environment during non-range training in a deployed posture? Furthermore, how do we achieve this goal given the Army-wide bandwidth constraints, limited spectrum and range-specific communication systems, all within the size and weight constraints of the combat systems? This paper will present the current status of an on-going multiple year study that focuses on FCS platform communication interoperability with the combat training ranges.