WASHINGTON, April 8 (UPI) -- A costly multi-pronged weapons program by the U.S. Army faces delays and budget strains even at the early stages of development, analysts said.
The Army's billion dollar plan to develop its Future Combat Systems that links soldiers and combat patrols across a wireless network is critical to get off ground because current technology growing obsolete. But the new program is already $24 billion beyond initial projections and its schedule is in limbo, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The three components of the weapons system are a high-speed radio system, an advanced wireless network and a constellation of new satellites.
U.S. military officials acknowledged early problems, but said everything is on schedule and within budgetary expectations.
The development of the systems radio component grew so complex, however, the Defense Department took over the program for restructuring, triggering worries over whether the program will work as intended.
A report from the Government Accountability Office said "several risks remain" in the program, adding the radio component "has only demonstrated limited networking capabilities."
"The Army believes this will all work," a GAO official said, "but they won't be able to demonstrate that for some time."
