The U.S. Army Modernization Strategy is a strategy being implemented to modernize the U.S. Army’s efforts in trainings and resources with a goal of winning future wars.  The Army Modernization Strategy is in direct support of the “Build a More Lethal Force” effort of the 2018 National Defense Strategy.  The Army Modernization Strategy focuses on six priorities to implement its efforts:  Long-Range Precision Fires, Next Generation Combat Vehicles, Future Vertical Lift, Army Network, Air and Missile Defense Capabilities, and Soldier Lethality.

Long-Range Precision Fires

The focus of Long-Range Precision Fires, the U.S. Army’s priority in the Army Modernization Strategy, is to enable deep-strike and long-range capabilities.   Developing long-range precision fires is vital in war and allows the Army to quickly and effectively address threats.  For the future, the Army plans to implement Deep Fires, which will allow the Army to pass through enemy defenses; Long-Range Precision Fires Missile, which is a modern take on the Army Tactical Missile System and will provide faster missile flight time, an increased rate of fire, and resistance to jamming; and Extended Range Cannon Artillery, which will increase reliability and range.  https://www.army.mil/standto/2018-01-17

Next Generation Combat Vehicles

The Next Generation Combat Vehicles are imperative for close combat situations, allowing for increased mobility and effectiveness at a reduced weight.  In the future, the Army is looking to develop technologies in key areas:  Maneuver Robotics and Autonomous Systems, which will allow the Army to provide efficiency of maneuver formations while implementing extended reach; Directed Energy and Energetics, enabling the Army to focus on increased directed energy with an intention to increase both lethality and survivability; Power Generation and Management, with a focus on using alternative energy to increase operational range while reducing demands on sustainment; Advanced Armor Material Solutions, which will enable the Army to modernize armor while providing a high level of protection; and Vehicle Protection Suites, which is an effort that focuses on decreased vehicle weight, increased mobility, and increased overall protection. https://www.army.mil/standto/2018-02-22

Future Vertical Lift

The Future Vertical Lift is a priority intended on increasing mission flexibility, agility, protection, reach, and lethality in threatening airspaces.  The purpose is to allow Army Aviation to operate in the air and dominate in airspace battle while giving the ground force commander a vital advantage against enemies.  The Army intends on developing future vertical lift technologies which will enable autonomy, reliability, and increased lethality for the warfighter. https://www.army.mil/standto/2018-02-07

Army Network

The focus of the Army Network is to allow the Army to “fight tonight” while looking to the future for modern solutions to stay one step ahead of enemies.  The strategy includes a three-step process to halt programs that do not focus on operational requirements, fix those that are necessary to address present operational needs, and pivot to a more flexible acquisition strategy.  In the future, the Army hopes to create a seamless, reliable, and unified network, make sure that all Army Forces can communicate effectively on a technical and operational format, ensure safe deployability and survivability, and ensure a single-mission-command suite to allow the Soldier to operate it easily. https://www.army.mil/standto/2018-03-08

Air and Missile Defense

Another top priority for the Army, the Air Missile and Defense initiative focuses on increasing the ability to defeat missile threats.  In the future, the Army is looking to technologies that will allow accelerated delivery of Air and Missile Defense capabilities to the warfighter.  https://www.army.mil/standto/2018-03-14

Soldier Lethality

Soldier Lethality ensures that all soldiers and squads are organized and well-equipped to defeat adversaries.  The Soldier Lethality priority encompasses mobility, communication, protection, shooting, and training.  For future technologies, the Army looks to develop next generation squad weapons, enhanced night vision goggles for improved detection and situational awareness, adaptive soldier architecture to standardize data, and synthetic training environments allowing soldiers to engage in realistic battle trainings.  These initiatives will allow the Army to adapt and be prepared for future battles.  https://www.army.mil/standto/2018-03-22

With a changing climate, the Army must be able to create modernized structures for future wars.  The Army Modernization Strategy allows the Army to implement focused priorities, enabling it to remain effective and quickly adapt to future wars while creating new efforts promoting efficiency, speed, modern equipment, and all-around cost effectiveness.