Boeing recently announced that Increment 1 of the U.S. Army's Brigade Combat Team Modernization program was approved to begin Low-Rate Initial Production early in 2010 as a result of the Milestone C production review by the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB).

The DAB Milestone C review culminated an intensive series of reviews by the Department of Defense and the Army, as well as a rigorous testing cycle of Increment 1 capabilities. The Army and its industry partners also conducted numerous design and production capability reviews.

Increment 1 will provide soldiers with enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as increased survivability and lethality. According to the company, initial capabilities include:

• Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle: a robotic system capable of reconnaissance missions in dangerous or difficult situations such as entering buildings, caves and tunnels
• Class I Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV): a small, soldier-operated UAV that can hover for reconnaissance and surveillance while providing target acquisition
• Unattended Ground Sensors: multi-mode surveillance sensors for target detection, location and classification, with an imaging capability for identification
• Non-Line-of-Sight Launch System: an unmanned missile system capable of extended range targeting and precision attack
• Network Integration Kit: an integrated computer system that hosts the latest communications and radio systems and battle command software, providing the initial network connectivity needed to transfer sensor and communication data.