AFC Official: Rapid Acquisition Addresses Need to Field New Communications Capabilities

The U.S. Army is turning to rapid acquisition to ensure warfighters have the needed resources on the battlefield.

Army Futures Command Commander Gen. James Rainey said rapid acquisition is the answer to delivering new communications capabilities to troops on the frontlines. He added that such a move requires the military branch to be more agile, ensuring training, sustainment and leader development to help deploy new technologies to formations.

The service branch is testing the new approach to buying loitering munitions or suicide drones. The AFC commander said the purchase of the drones showcases the Army’s intention to acquire a significant number of counter-unmanned aerial systems in the future, Federal News Network reported.

To avoid the consequences of rapid acquisition, Rainey said the AFC has established safeguards that address past problems, including buying proprietary systems that are difficult to integrate with the service’s networks.

The AFC has been helping the service adopt new technologies. It was behind the integration of systems that provided the Army with the capability to easily collaborate with allies and help enable the Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept.