Army considering Boston for new Futures Command

Boston made the shortlist of 15 cities the Army is considering for the headquarters of its planned Futures Command, which will keep track of emerging technology and innovations that could be used in war-fighting.

The Army notified the cities this week and asked for detailed information.

The contenders are Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Denver; Houston; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; New York; Philadelphia; Raleigh, N.C.; San Diego, Calif.; San Francisco; and Seattle.

The Army says the headquarters should be near universities and technology companies. It says the host city should have workforce expertise in biomedicine, chemistry, computer hardware and software, electronics, materials and mechanical systems.

The shortlist was sent by Army Undersecretary Ryan McCarthy to House Armed Services Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (DWash.) in a letter April 17, reported by Inside Defense.

“We want this headquarters to be located near leading academic and commercial institutions to harness the best talent possible in emerging technology and innovation,” McCarthy said in the letter.

The Army hasn’t said when it would choose a city.

It would be the fourth command-level operation in the Army. Officials say it’s the most significant reorganization since 1973.