The GAO report reinforced several commonly held misconceptions about the Future Combat Systems initiative.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Congress should build the 'future combat system'

Unfortunately, some on Capitol Hill are opposing the funding required to develop and field the Future Combat Systems.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Congress should build the 'future combat system'

Also vulnerable are companies heavily dependent on expensive new high-tech programs, which now go under the rubric of Future Combat Systems.

FORBES: Magazine Article

The bottom line however, is that Congress needs to show the leadership on Army modernization it has shown in the past, and fully fund the Future Combat Systems.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Army and its Future Combat Systems in Jeopardy

After all, the very foundation of the future military force rests on the limited number of planes able to carry vehicles and equipment, such as the Army's Future Combat Systems.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The QDR and strategic mobility

The Army has also incorporated a myriad of advanced technologies and lessons learned for Iraq and Afghanistan into its Future Combat Systems to meet current needs in the field and to ensure victory in future wars.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The Army and its Future Combat Systems in Jeopardy

Mr. Gates scrapped much of the Army's multibillion dollar Future Combat Systems, after it became clear that its lighter, faster, more fuel-efficient vehicles would not do much to protect soldiers from the threat of improvised explosive devices.

WSJ: A General for Afghanistan

The UAV space represents the wave of the future for combat systems, said Manan K. Shah, a managing partner at Focus Investment Banking, adding that many defense companies such as Boeing (NYSE:BA), Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) and Lockheed Martin could look for acquisitions in the sector.

FORBES: UAV Makers Attract M&A Interest Despite Defense Cuts

So he curbed or cancelled more than 30 weapons systems including the army's Future Combat System, the F-22 Stealth fighter, two missile defence systems and the Zumwalt-class destroyer.

ECONOMIST: American military spending