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Exhibit 1
Estimated Total Contribution to the Texas Economy, Army Futures Command, 2023
Exhibit 2
Employment and Other Populations
Army Futures Command Economic Impact, 2023
Background
The Army Futures Command (AFC) in Austin specializes in research and training to modernize long range artillery, next generation combat vehicles, future vertical lift, air and missile defense, and network and soldier efficiency.1 AFC employs more than 17,000 people worldwide.
AFC is the fourth major Army command, joining the Army Material Command, the Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Forces Command.2 These four commands were restructured in 2019 to give AFC authority over the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, a team of highly skilled scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff focused on contributing to AFC’s goal.3
This command partners with The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, industry professionals, and joint and multinational experts on technological research and experimentation to improve warfighting abilities.4 AFC houses the Army Software Factory, at the Austin Community College Rio Grande Campus, to provide training to soldiers and civilians on cloud technology and modern software for Army endeavors. AFC also uses the Army Applications Laboratory, located in Capital Factory in Austin, to connect people and organizations within the Army to support modernization efforts.
Economic Impact
The Comptroller’s office and the Texas Military Preparedness Commission collected economic data from each of the state’s 14 U.S. military installations to determine their economic impact to the state economy. These data were collected through a survey designed to ensure consistency in determining the total direct and indirect contribution of the base’s populations to state-level employment, gross domestic product, output and disposable personal income.5 Each installation’s distinctive characteristics contribute to the Texas economy in different ways.
As of 2023, this command is home to 970 direct employees, including 289 active-duty Army personnel. The Comptroller’s office estimates the population directly affiliated with AFC contributed at least $1.8 billion to the Texas economy in 2023 (Exhibits 1 and 2).6
Estimated Total Contribution to the Texas Economy, Army Futures Command, 2023
| Contribution | Value |
|---|---|
| Total direct employment | 970 |
| Total employment (direct and indirect) | 8,757 |
| Output | $1,803,489,000 |
| Gross domestic product | $1,072,231,000 |
| Disposable personal income | $1,026,873,000 |
Notes: “Total direct employment” refers to both actual full time and full time equivalent (FTE) employees. For part-time employees, their FTE is calculated based on their hours divided by the standard 40-hour work week; “total employment” refers to both direct and indirect employment, meaning “total direct employment” as noted above plus any indirect employees such as temporary contractors; “output” refers to the total value of all goods and services (both final and intermediate) produced in Texas; “gross domestic product” refers to the total value of all final goods and services produced in Texas; “disposable personal income” refers to post-income-tax income.
Source: Regional Economic Models Inc. (REMI)
The Comptroller’s economic impact analysis represents a conservative estimate of the economic impact of the Army Futures Command on Texas. Each installation’s distinctive characteristics contribute to the Texas economy in different ways.
Employment and Other Populations
| Description | Full Time Equivalent (FTE) |
|---|---|
| FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE | |
| Active Duty Army | 289 |
| Active Duty Navy | 0 |
| Active Duty Air Force | 0 |
| Active Duty Marine Corps | 0 |
| Active Duty Coast Guard | 0 |
| Active Duty National Guard/Reserve | 11 |
| FULL-TIME CIVILIAN PERSONNEL | |
| Appropriated | 380 |
| Non-Appropriated | 0 |
| OTHER FULL-TIME PERSONNEL | |
| Full Time Employees Not Listed Elsewhere | 0 |
| PART-TIME DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE | |
| Army Reserve | 0 |
| Navy Reserve | 0 |
| Air Force Reserve | 0 |
| Marine Corps Reserve | 0 |
| Coast Guard Reserve | 0 |
| PART-TIME CIVILIAN PERSONNEL | |
| Appropriated | 0 |
| Non-Appropriated | 0 |
| OTHER | |
| Contractors, Total (staff) | 290 |
| Average Daily Student Load | 0 |
| TOTALS | |
| Total Direct FTE Employment | 970 |
| Total Number of Dependents | 722 |
| Total Indirect FTE Employment | 7,787 |
Source: Army Futures Command
End Notes
- U.S. Army, “Army Futures Command,” https://www.army.mil/futures (Last visited April 16, 2024).↳
- National Academies Press; “U.S. Army Futures Command Research Program Realignment,” https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/26413/chapter/3 Pages 13-14 (Last visited April 16, 2024).↳
- U.S. Army, “DEVCOM,” https://www.army.mil/devcom (Last visited April 16, 2024).↳
- U.S. Army, “Army Futures Command,” https://www.army.mil/futures (Last visited April 16, 2024).↳
- Estimate inputs and assumptions include the following: (1) all data submitted are for 2023; (2) input includes full-time, permanent employees and a full-time equivalent (FTE) for any part-time employees; (3) dependents are associated with Army Futures Command only; (4) all economic impact is within Texas.↳
- This study represents an analysis of the economic impact of the population and employees directly affiliated with the base. This includes active duty, visiting, and other military personnel, dependents, civilian employees and contractors directly affiliated with the base – as reported in documents emailed from Army Futures Command to Jolene Hudson, Texas Military Preparedness Commission, March 2024.↳