United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

{{Short description|U.S. Army's provider of nearly all R&D services}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Combat Capabilities Development Command | image = frameless|180px DEVCOM distinctive unit insignia frameless|upright=1.0|class=skin-invert Logo | dates = 1 October 2002 – present | country = {{flagicon|US}} United States | branch = {{flag|United States Army}} | type = Command | role = Research and development | size = | website = {{URL|https://devcom.army.mil/|Official website}} {{URL|https://www.army.mil/devcom|army.mil Profile}} | command_structure = 25px U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command | garrison = Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland | current_commander = BG Robert G. Born | commander1_label = Current commander | commander2 = MG Cedric T. Wins<ref name="wins">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/173047/new_commander_arrives_at_rdecom|title=New Commander Arrives at RDECOM|date=August 2016|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref><ref name = modernizingRoadmap >[https://www.army.mil/article/226920/ccdcs_road_map_to_modernizing_the_army_air_and_missile_defense Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (10 September 2019) CCDC'S road map to modernizing the Army: air and missile defense] *[https://www.army.mil/article/224792/ccdcs_road_map_to_modernizing_the_army_the_network Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (22 Jul 2019) CCDC'S road map to modernizing the Army: Network] *[https://www.army.mil/article/217783/ccdcs_road_map_to_modernizing_the_army_future_vertical_lift Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, (6 Mar 2019 ) CCDC's Roadmap to modernizing the Army: Future Vertical Lift (FVL)] *[https://asc.army.mil/web/news-alt-jfm19-rdecoms-road-map-to-modernizing-the-army-next-generation-combat-vehicle/ Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, (5 December 2018) RDECOM's Roadmap to modernizing the Army: Ground Combat Vehicles] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207145949/https://asc.army.mil/web/news-alt-jfm19-rdecoms-road-map-to-modernizing-the-army-next-generation-combat-vehicle/ |date=7 December 2023 }} *[https://www.army.mil/article/211569/rdecoms_road_map_to_modernizing_the_army_long_range_precision_fire Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, (25 September 2018) RDECOM's road map to modernizing the Army: Long-range precision fires]</ref> | commander2_label = First commander | identification_symbol = 125px | identification_symbol_label = Shoulder sleeve insignia of U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command, worn by DEVCOM service members | motto =  ''DEVCOM:'' Pro Futuro (Latin) ("Fight for the Future")<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarantinos |first=Argie |date=11 September 2023 |title=Brigadier General Cushing takes command of DEVCOM |url=https://devcom.army.mil/news/brigadier-general-cushing-takes-command-of-devcom/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260510060623/https://devcom.army.mil/news/brigadier-general-cushing-takes-command-of-devcom/ |archive-date=2026-05-10 |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=devcom.army.mil |quote=DEVCOM’s motto is Pro Futuro, which in Latin means Fight for the Future.}}</ref> ''RDECOM'': Cum Scientia Commutare (Latin) ("Through Science We Change")<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command |url=https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=5218&CategoryId=2980&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260510053705/https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=5218&CategoryId=2980&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services |archive-date=2026-05-10 |access-date=2026-05-10 |website=tioh.army.mil |quote=The motto [Cum Scientia Commutare] translates to "Through Science We Change."}}</ref> }} {{Infobox command structure |name=Command structure |parent=Transformation and Training Command |subordinate=Armaments Center Army Research Laboratory Aviation and Missile Center C5ISR Center Chemical Biological Center Ground Vehicle Systems Center Soldier Center }} The '''U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command''' ('''DEVCOM''') is a command that provides research and development for the U.S. Army. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, DEVCOM is a component of the U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command under the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command.

In 2002, the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) was established, aiming to consolidate the research and development laboratories of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. Following the establishment of U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC), RDECOM was renamed as U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) upon its transfer to AFC. Then-CCDC rebranded to DEVCOM in 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center|url=https://www.avmc.army.mil/AvMC/History/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251126032621/https://www.avmc.army.mil/AvMC/History/|archive-date=26 November 2025|access-date=10 May 2026|website=www.avmc.army.mil|quote=2021 - Higher headquarters, CCDC, referred to as DEVCOM. CCDC Aviation & Missile Center referred to as DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center or DEVCOM AvMC.}}</ref>

==Role and organization== DEVCOM conducts and sponsors scientific research in areas important to the Army, develops scientific discoveries into new technologies, then engineers said technology into new equipment and capabilities, while working with the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command to help requirements writers define the future needs of the Army.<ref name="factsheet">{{cite web|title=RDECOM Fact Sheet|url=https://api.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/419777.pdf|website=U.S. Army|date=April 2015|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref>

DEVCOM is headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Before 1 November 2019, Major General Cedric T. Wins was the commanding general,<ref name="wins" /> assisted by Brigadier General Vincent F. Malone as deputy commanding general and Command Sergeant Major Jon R. Stanley as command sergeant major. They oversaw one laboratory and six major centers:<ref name="factsheets">{{cite web|title=RDECOM overview|url= https://www.army.mil/article/160416/|website=U.S. Army|date=April 2015|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref>

* DEVCOM Armaments Center (DEVCOM AC) * DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL) * DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) * DEVCOM C5ISR Center (DEVCOM C5ISR Center) * DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) * DEVCOM Ground Vehicle System Center (DEVCOM GVSC) * DEVCOM Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC)

==History== After assuming command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) in October 2001, General Paul J. Kern saw the need to streamline how the Army developed technology. At the time, the Army's laboratories and research centers reported through multiple channels, among other problems. Kern argued that the Army had to "figure out how to get technology in the hands of the Warfighters quicker", and that it was "the impression of everyone out there that the laboratories take too long, they do science for science's sake, (and) engineering for engineering's sake". thumb|202x202px|RDECOM distinctive unit insignia<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command |url=https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=5218&CategoryId=2980&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260510053705/https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=5218&CategoryId=2980&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services |archive-date=10 May 2026 |access-date=10 May 2026 |website=tioh.army.mil |publisher=The Institute of Heraldry}}</ref> thumb|RDECOM logo General Kern proposed to unite the laboratories and research centers under a single command, and the idea was initiated to senior commanders and civilians.<ref name="globsec">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2005/050100-management.htm|title=Life Cycle Management: Integrating Acquisition and Sustainment|year=2005|access-date=13 December 2018}}</ref> The new command was approved, and was established on a "provisional" basis in October 2002, at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where it began to replace the headquarters element of U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM). In June 2003, RDECOM assumed operational control of the RDE centers. In October 2003, an organizational ceremony took place at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where SBCCOM officially stood down, and the 389th Army Band and AMC Acquisition Center were assigned to RDECOM.

RDECOM became a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command in March 2004, with over 17,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at the time. In 2006, the 389th Army Band was designated AMC Band and moved to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. In 2008, the AMC Acquisition Center became part of the newly established U.S. Army Contracting Command, itself a major subordinate of AMC. From February 2012 to September 2014, RDECOM was led by a civilian commander, Dale Ormond, before returning to military command.

=== Transfer to Army Futures Command === As of 2018, DEVCOM reports to Army Futures Command, which will reach full operational capability by August 2019. The new command is focused on readiness for future combat with near-peer competitors, in a shift away from the unconventional, counter-insurgency warfare fought in various theatres since 2001.

On 4 June 2018, the Headquarters, Department of the Army published General Order 2018–10, "Establishment of the United States Army Futures Command", formally transferring RDECOM from AMC to the new command effective 1 July 2018.<ref name=G.O.2018-10 >Secretary of the Army, Mark T. Esper, ESTABLISHMENT OF UNITED STATES ARMY FUTURES COMMAND [https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN11199_GO1810_FINAL.pdf Army General order G.O.2018-10]</ref> The transition of authority from AMC to AFC took place at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD on 31 January 2019, with a reflagging of the command and repatching of the commander and CSM.<ref name="rdecom, ccdc" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/216858/rdecom_transitions_to_army_futures_command|title=RDECOM transitions to Army Futures Command|website=www.army.mil}}</ref>

In 2021, CCDC rebranded to DEVCOM.<ref name=":0" />

=== Transfer to Transformation and Training Command === In October 2025, the U.S. Army Futures Command (AFC) and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) merged, forming the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM), which unified the recruitment, training, and equipment development missions under one command. DEVCOM, previously under AFC, was placed under the U.S. Army Futures and Concepts Command (FCC), a component of T2COM.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Accetta |first=David |date=January 2026 |title=Transformation and Training Command activated {{!}} Soldier Systems Center Spotlight |url=https://d34w7g4gy10iej.cloudfront.net/pubs/pdf_76295.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260117050050/https://d34w7g4gy10iej.cloudfront.net/pubs/pdf_76295.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2026 |access-date=10 May 2026 |pages=35 / pdf p. 18}}</ref>

==List of commanding generals== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}} ! colspan=2| Commanding General ! colspan=3| Term |- ! Portrait ! Name ! Took office ! Left office ! Duration |- |colspan="6" align="center"| '''As U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command''' {{Officeholder table | order = 1 | military_rank = Major General | image = MG John C. Doesburg (2).jpg | officeholder = John C. Doesburg | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = October 2002 | term_end = October 2004 | timeinoffice = ~{{ayd|1 October 2002|1 October 2004}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 2 | military_rank = Major General | image = Roger A. Nadeau.jpg | officeholder = Roger A. Nadeau | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = October 2004<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gomo.army.mil/public?FY=2004 | title=Home - General Officer Management Office }}</ref> | term_end = July 2007 | timeinoffice = ~{{ayd|1 October 2004|1 July 2007}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 3 | military_rank = Major General | image = MGRobinson BDU BIG.jpg | officeholder = Fred D. Robinson Jr. | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = July 2007<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ndiastorage.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/ndia/2008/POST/Wed1/Robinson.pdf | title=PACOM Operational S&T Conference | publisher=U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command | accessdate=11 September 2021 }}</ref> | term_end = 5 December 2008 | timeinoffice = ~{{ayd|1 July 2007|5 December 2008}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 4 | military_rank = Major General | image = Paul S. Izzo.jpg | officeholder = Paul S. Izzo | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 5 December 2008<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/14896/rdecom_hails_new_commander_during_change_of_command_ceremony|title=RDECOM hails new commander during change of command ceremony|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | term_end = 4 December 2009 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|5 December 2008|4 December 2009}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 5 | military_rank = Major General | image = Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, U.S. Army.jpg | officeholder = Nick Justice | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 4 December 2009<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/72817/maj_gen_nick_justice_reflects_on_his_tour_at_rdecom_apg|title=Maj. Gen. Nick Justice reflects on his tour at RDECOM, APG|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | term_end = 10 February 2012 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|4 December 2009|10 February 2012}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 6 | military_rank = | image = Dale A. Ormond (2).jpg | officeholder = Dale A. Ormond | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 10 February 2012 | term_end = 22 September 2014 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|10 February 2012|22 September 2014}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 7 | military_rank = Major General | image = John F. Wharton (2).jpg | officeholder = John F. Wharton | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 22 September 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/134151/rdecom_welcomes_commanding_general|title=RDECOM welcomes commanding general|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | term_end = 9 August 2016 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|22 September 2014|9 August 2016}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 8 | military_rank = Major General | image = Cedric T. Wins (3).jpg | officeholder = Cedric T. Wins | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 9 August 2016<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/173047/new_commander_arrives_at_rdecom|title=New commander arrives at RDECOM|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | term_end = 3 February 2019 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|9 August 2016|3 February 2019}} }} |- |colspan="6" align="center"| '''As U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command''' {{Officeholder table | order = 1 | military_rank = Major General | image = Cedric T. Wins (3).jpg | officeholder = Cedric T. Wins | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 3 February 2019<ref name="rdecom, ccdc"/> | term_end = 1 November 2019 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|3 February 2019|1 November 2019}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 2 | military_rank = Major General | image = John A. George.jpg | officeholder = John A. George | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 1 November 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/229386/ccdc_leadership_changes_hands|title=CCDC leadership changes hands|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | term_end = 7 May 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/246122/devcom_commander_retires_after_33_years_of_service|title=DEVCOM commander retires after 33 years of service|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | timeinoffice = {{ayd|1 November 2019|7 May 2021}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = - | military_rank = | image = John T. Willison.jpg | officeholder = John T. Willison | acting = y | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 7 May 2021 | term_end = 9 July 2021 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|7 May 2021|9 July 2021}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 3 | military_rank = Major General | image = Edmond M. Brown (2).jpg | officeholder = Edmond M. Brown | acting = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 9 July 2021<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/248340/brigadier_general_brown_takes_command_of_devcom|title=Brigadier General Brown takes command of DEVCOM|website=www.army.mil}}</ref> | term_end = 7 September 2023 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|9 July 2021|7 September 2023}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 4 | military_rank = Major General | image = MG John M. Cushing.jpg | officeholder = John M. Cushing | acting = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 7 September 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/269766/brigadier_general_cushing_takes_command_of_devcom|title=Brigadier General Cushing takes command of DEVCOM|date=2023-09-08|access-date=2023-10-08|website=U.S. Army}}</ref> | term_end = 27 June 2025 | timeinoffice = {{ayd|7 September 2023|27 June 2025}} }} {{Officeholder table | order = 5 | military_rank = Brigadier General | image = BG Robert G. Born (3).jpg | officeholder = Robert G. Born | acting = | born_year = | died_year = | term_start = 27 June 2025<ref>{{cite web|last=Rayno|first=Ryan|url=https://www.army.mil/article/286705/devcom_welcomes_new_commanding_general_on_path_through_army_transformation|title=DEVCOM welcomes new commanding general on path through Army transformation|date=2025-06-27|access-date=2025-06-29|website=U.S. Army}}</ref> | timeinoffice = {{ayd|27 June 2025}} }} |}

==See also== * Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL) * Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) * Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) * Space Systems Command (SSC) * DARPA

==References== {{US Army}} {{Reflist}} * CCDC Army Research Laboratory Public Affairs [https://www.army.mil/article/221048/army_selects_senior_research_scientist_for_terminal_ballistics (29 April 2019) Army selects senior research scientist for terminal ballistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922153855/https://www.army.mil/article/221048/army_selects_senior_research_scientist_for_terminal_ballistics |date=22 September 2020 }} Fewer than 50 STs across the Army: An ST is a general-officer equivalent * U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory [https://www.army.mil/article/227359/army_research_uncovers_law_like_progression_of_weapons_technologies_from_a_crossbowman_to_a_tank (18 September 2019) Army research uncovers law-like progression of weapons technologies--from a crossbowman to a tank] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001124442/https://www.army.mil/article/227359/army_research_uncovers_law_like_progression_of_weapons_technologies_from_a_crossbowman_to_a_tank |date=1 October 2019 }} * Jerome Aliotta (TARDEC) [https://www.army.mil/article/226774/army_demos_prototype_manned_fighting_vehicle_teamed_with_robotic_combat_vehicle_platoon (6 September 2019) Army demos prototype manned fighting vehicle teamed with robotic combat vehicle platoon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001130000/https://www.army.mil/article/226774/army_demos_prototype_manned_fighting_vehicle_teamed_with_robotic_combat_vehicle_platoon |date=1 October 2019 }} * Argie R. Sarantinos Perrin, CCDC [https://www.army.mil/article/227834/army_reform_drives_innovation_at_ccdc (30 September 2019) Army reform drives innovation at CCDC] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001193610/https://www.army.mil/article/227834/army_reform_drives_innovation_at_ccdc |date=1 October 2019 }}

{{US research agencies|state=collapsed}} {{United States government agencies involved in environmental science}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Harford County, Maryland Category:Research installations of the United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Category:Military simulation Combat Capabilities Development