Unified Command Suite

The Unified Command Suite (UCS) program is a key line item in the Army's Other Procurement budget, specifically under Communications and Electronics Equipment for Combat Communications. The UCS is a mobile communications Family of Systems platform designed to provide interoperable communications at incident scenes, supporting Federal, State, Local, and Military Emergency Response elements. The program's primary objective is to enable incident commanders and responders to assess, advise, and access critical reach-back capabilities, thereby improving decision-making during emergencies, including those involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD), terrorism, and catastrophic disasters.

The UCS platform consists of three main products: the Joint Reachback Interoperability System (JRIS), Advanced Echelon (ADVON), and Dismounted Strike Kit (DSK). Each component is self-sufficient and highly interoperable, leveraging Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Government-Off-the-Shelf (GOTS) military communications hardware. The suite is employed extensively throughout the Continental United States (CONUS), supporting thousands of mission events and mission days annually. Its deployment is closely linked to the National Guard Bureau Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CST), which were established and expanded through various legislative actions, including the National Defense Authorization Acts of 2003 and 2013.

For Fiscal Year 2026, the UCS line item requests base funding to modernize, upgrade, and procure essential communications components. The modernization efforts focus on High Frequency (HF) Radios, Wireless Communication Systems, Automated Data Processing (ADP) systems, and Network Component Systems. The HF Radio system modernization addresses the end-of-life status of the current MICOM HF system, which serves as a critical backup communication method during network failures.

Wireless Communication Systems, including Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radios and wireless cameras, are also being upgraded due to projected end-of-support, ensuring continued intra- and inter-team connectivity for data sharing and command and control (C2) functions. The Automated Data Processing (ADP) Systems portion of the UCS budget supports the procurement of new laptops, desktops, and tablets. Current devices are reaching end-of-sale and are projected to face cyber compliance concerns. These ADP systems are vital for teams to analyze C2 data and transmit findings to national laboratories for substance confirmation.

The Network Component Systems include servers, switches, routers, firewalls, and modems, all of which are essential for maintaining network connectivity, supporting server applications, and enabling communication with C2 and critical reach-back capabilities. Modernization is necessary to prevent loss of connectivity and to comply with DoD encryption and cybersecurity requirements. The UCS budget also includes funding for SATCOM modernization, specifically the installation of commercial Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites to replace legacy systems that will no longer be supported.

Additionally, the ADVON Prime Mover efforts involve integrating existing shelters onto newly leased prime movers, which are leased every ten years and include maintenance warranties. These upgrades are justified to prevent denied Authority to Operate on the DoD Information Network (DoDIN), address manufacturer end-of-support issues, and ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity policies. Support costs within the UCS line item cover engineering change proposals, government-furnished materials, initial spares and repair parts, program management, quality assurance, system engineering, system test and evaluation, and new equipment training. These support elements are critical for the successful fielding, sustainment, and operational readiness of the UCS systems.

The program's objectives are aligned with the requirements of section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, ensuring that both active and reserve components of the Armed Forces are equipped for homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities.