The BCV is intended to be a Commander's vehicle
capable of receiving digitized data from both the TOC (Command & Control
Vehicles) and from combat vehicles. At the Brigade and below, the BCV is
intended to be a combat vehicle: a Bradley in an Infantry battalion or an M1
tank in an Armor battalion. The BCV would have the same visual signature
and survivability as these combat systems. The BCV concept allows the
commander immediate data to execute the battle and will exploit the power of
the information age as a combat multiplier.
The BCV is to be the maneuver commander's
mobile forward tactical command post. The interior of the vehicle will be
configured to host the digitized devices necessary to provide data to execute the
battle. In the offense, the BCV will move primarily during the execution phases
of tactical missions traveling cross country. At other times it will remain as
part of the brigade/battalion main command post. In the defense, it will be
positioned to act as an information node and battlefield coordination center.
The BCV carries five soldiers: driver, vehicle commander, unit commander, an
operations officer, and an intelligence officer. The commander and staff will
focus on operating digital and voice nets in the vehicle while the driver and
track commander the normal duties of their positions. The BCV is a command
and control platform; it is not a fighting vehicle.
The following describes how the BCVs will be outfitted:
AN/VRC 92 PLGR
VIICS EPLRS
MSRT * Flat Panel Display
FH MUX Applique V2
FDR Applique V3
Tactical Multinet Gateway MCS/P
CHS II Processor System RACAL Radio
(* All MSRTs are supplied by the unit)
The Battle
Command vehicle, Brigade and below will provide the commander with digital
command and control with maneuver units and situational awareness. The
Meshnet intercom system will be integrated into each of the BCVs. The BCV
will be capable of sending and receiving data to the maneuver force vehicles as
well as linking to the Army Tactical Command and Control System (ATCCS).
The Bradley based BCVs will be configured and integrated identically with the
exception of radio nets. The Brigade's four radios will be division command,
division intel, brigade command, and brigade intel.. The battalion's nets are
brigade command, brigade intel, and battalion command and a spare. The M1
based BCV will have the same architecture but will be configured differently
due to the layout of the vehicle.
The M1 BCV is no longer a fighting vehicle. The
cannon assembly, breech, and barrel will be removed and a fixed, non-firing
barrel will be installed. With this exception, the Bradley BCV and the M1 BCV
will have the same physical characteristics and performance specifications as
the maneuver M1s and Bradleys.
Currently, the Armor Center is maturing the
requirements for the BCV. PM C2V will implement overall program
management of the BCV program under the guidance of the Mounted
Battlespace Battle Lab (MBBL) at the Armor Center. United Defense is
currently "building" the prototype vehicles based on the Bradley Fighting
Vehicle for use by the Brigade Commander and the Infantry Battalion
Commander and the M1 for use by the Armor Battalion Commander. PEO-
C3S is coordinating to have the GFE sent to UDLP.
The three BCVs are currently being modified at UDLP. The
vehicles are to be delivered to Ft Hood NLT 20 May 96. One Bradley BCV will
go to the Brigade Commander while the other Bradley will go to the commander
of 1-22 IN. The M1 BCV will be used by the commander of 3-66 AR.
