GCT 3-6 (Oct. 2012)

The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter

Army Acquirer Lt. Gen. William “Bill” N. Phillips Principal Military Deputy to Asst.

Sec. Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)

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October 2012 Volume 3, Issue 6

Command Profile Exclusive Interview with: Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry Commanding General U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

PEO Missiles and Space O PEO Ground Combat Systems PEO CS&CSS O JLTV Systems O Soaring Fuel Costs

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Features

Cover / Q&A

Special Report JLTV Systems

Take a test ride in the next-generation vehicle that will replace a major portion of the HMMWV fleet. We detail the systems and capabilities that will make the JLTV a quantum leap forward.

By Dave Ahearn

8

TACOM LCMC Command Profile Q&A Interview

Maj. Gen. Michael J. Terry

10

Commanding General U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

Soaring Fuel Costs

26

The Department of Defense has embarked upon a comprehensive drive to slash multi-billion dollar fuel costs for vehicles, aircraft, ships and installations. The savings could be critical, lessening pressure to cut procurement programs at a time when the Pentagon faces up to $1 trillion of spending reductions over 10 years.

By Dave Ahearn

2012 Program Updates PEO Missiles and Space

28

Even in a time of fiscal constraint for the Department of Defense, PEO Missiles and Space has several programs producing new and better weapon systems. We examine JLENS, an improved Patriot and other active programs.

By Marc Selinger

PEO CS&CSS

31

21 Lt. Gen. William N. “Bill” Phillips Principal Military Deputy to the ASDAcquisition, Logistics and Technology

Departments 2 Editor's Perspective 4 Intel/People 16 Innovations 35 Resource Center

Gain a straight-from-the-top overview of programs providing critical gains for combatants, including the competition to build the joint light tactical vehicle, ongoing work on the MRAP and M-ATV trucks, and much more.

By William Murray

PEO GCS

34

From the cutting-edge ground combat vehicle to the Stryker, take a tour of mobile systems that will provide far greater safety and other advancements for warriors. And survey as well some amazing advancements in robotics.

By Peter Buxbaum

Industry Interview

36 Chris Estadt Director Military Business Development Leupold

Ground Combat Technology Volume 3, Issue 6 • October 2012

The Publication of Distinction for the Maneuver Warfighter Editorial Editor Dave Ahearn davea@kmimediagroup.com Managing Editor Harrison Donnelly harrisond@kmimediagroup.com Online Editorial Manager Laura Davis laurad@kmimediagroup.com Correspondents Christian Bourge • Peter Buxbaum Henry Canaday • Jeff Goldman • William Murray Leslie Shaver • Marc Selinger

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EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE The military takes care of its own, and a telling case in point came with the announcement that $100 million will be spent to research ways to counter mild traumatic brain injury, or mTBI, and post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. This hefty sum of money is going to be provided even though the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs are—along with other federal agencies—facing fiscal woes as massive spending cuts loom.

“PTSD and mTBI are two of the most prevalent injuries suffered by our warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan, and identifying better treatments for those impacted is critical,” said Dr. Jonathan Woodson, assistant secretary of Dave Ahearn Editor defense for health affairs. “Consortia will bring together leading scientists and researchers devoted to the health and welfare of our nation’s servicemembers and veterans.”

“At VA, ensuring that our veterans receive quality care is our highest priority,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Investing in innovative research that will lead to treatments for PTSD and TBI is critical to providing the care our veterans have earned and deserve.”

To spearhead the effort, two groups—the Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC) and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD (CAP)—will be jointly managed by DoD and VA. A primary goal of CENC is to establish an understanding of the after-effects of an mTBI. Potential comorbidities also will be studied—conditions that are associated with and worsen because of a neurotrauma.

More than 15 percent of servicemembers and veterans suffer impaired functioning as a result of PTSD. CAP will study potential indicators of the trauma, as well as prevention strategies, possible interventions and improved treatments. Biomarker-based researched will be a key factor for CAP’s studies.

President Obama signed an executive order to improve access to mental health services for veterans, servicemembers and military families, launching an interdepartmental effort to counter these problems.

While warriors likely have suffered such stress and trauma in past wars, greater focus and attention have spotlighted them during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The new efforts to counter them reflect the character of the U.S. military and its government.

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INTEL

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Marine Corps Orders MTVRs Oshkosh Defense will deliver more than 260 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements (MTVR) to the Marine Corps following a delivery order from the Marine Corps Systems Command. The Oshkosh MTVR is the medium-payload workhorse vehicle for the Marines and Navy Seabees, and has been used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan in a range of challenging conditions.

“The MTVR was designed to give Marines improved off-road mobility, and since being fielded, it has set the standard for all-terrain vehicle performance,” said John Bryant, vice president and general manager of joint and Marine Corps Programs for Oshkosh Defense.

“The MTVRs delivered under this order will support Marines and Seabees with a wide array of tactical missions and on the most challenging terrain.”

The MTVR is available in several variants for the transportation of troops, materials and equipment. The vehicle uses the Oshkoshpatented TAK-4 independent suspension system to achieve a 70 percent off-road profile capability and 16 inches of independent wheel travel for extensive cross-country operations. Oshkosh has delivered more than 11,000 MTVRs to the Marines and Seabees to date.

Working with the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL) and the National Robotics Engineering Center of Carnegie Mellon University,

Oshkosh has also taken the MTVR’s potential further with its TerraMax unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) technology kit. TerraMax-equipped MTVRs used in the MCWL Cargo UGV initiative have been evaluated in various mission scenarios and on a diverse range of terrain. The TerraMax UGV technology has the potential to reduce Marines’ exposure to lethal attacks and free up Marines from logistics missions to support other operations.

MTVR variants being produced under this order include the MK25 cargo, and MK27 and MK28 extended cargo trucks. Production will begin in April 2013 and be completed in September 2014. The order is valued at more than $67 million.

PEOPLE L-3 Communications announced that retired Air Force General Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton has been elected to its board of directors. Following this election, the company’s board is comprised of 10 members, nine of whom are independent directors.

Following his retirement from the Air Force, he was executive vice president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.

Army Major General Mark S. Bowman was nominated for the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as director for command, control, communications and computers/cyber; chief

4 | GCT 3.6

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

information officer, J-6, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Bowman is currently serving as director, J-6, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Navistar International announced that the board of directors has appointed Lewis B. Campbell, former chairman, president and CEO of Textron Inc., as executive chairman of the board of directors and interim CEO. Daniel C. Ustian has informed the board that he is retiring as chairman, president and CEO, effective immediately. He is concurrently leaving the board of directors. The company also

announced that it has promoted Troy A. Clarke, currently president of truck and engine operations, to the position of president and chief operating officer.

technology and ground programs. She replaces John R. Landon, who is retiring from the company at the end of the year.

Tim Harris Ginger Wierzbanowski

Northrop Grumman has named Ginger Wierzbanowski vice president of space, missile defense, advanced

Ball Aerospace & Technologies has selected Tim Harris to lead its national defense strategic business unit, as vice president and general

manager for national defense.

Marshall Larsen, former chairman, president and CEO of Goodrich Corp., was elected to the United Technologies Corp. board of directors. He joins 12 other board members, 11 of whom are independent.

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has appointed Oron Oriol as executive vice president of marketing.

He replaces Lova Drori, who has served in various positions at Rafael for 42 years, including in his last position as executive vice president of marketing for the last six years.

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INTEL ATK Delivers 2 Billion 7.62 mm Rounds to Army ATK recently achieved a world-class production milestone by delivering the 2 billionth 7.62 mm round of ammunition manufactured at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant (LCAAP) in Independence, Mo. Since assumption of LCAAP manufacturing operations in 2000, ATK has increased the production rate for 7.62 mm ammunition five-fold in direct support of U.S. Army requirements.

ATK, the world’s largest supplier of ammunition, has established a proven record of success in managing and modernizing the Department of Defense’s primary source for military small-caliber rifle ammunition.

“I am very proud of what ATK has delivered for the U.S. Army while being entrusted with our stewardship responsibility to safely and efficiently operate the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. We value our commitment to deliver a lean, scalable and sustainable capability that will serve the needs of our nation for years to come,” said Mike Kahn, president of ATK Defense. “We take to heart that the lives of our warfighters depend on the quality of each and every round we produce at this government-owned facility.

We are honored with this responsibility.”

In partnership with the Army, ATK successfully implemented a complex expansion and modernization program at LCAAP that resulted in increasing plant production from 374 million to more than 1.6 billion rounds annually. This includes high-volume deliveries of the Army's M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round (EPR) on modernized equipment. The EPR is an enhanced version of the M855 5.56 mm cartridge and offers a significant breakthrough in ammunition performance for America’s warfighters. ATK has delivered more than 350 million M855A1 rounds since transitioning to production in 2010.

“The modernized 5.56 mm high-speed manufacturing equipment has allowed us to ramp up production of the Enhanced Performance Round in support of our warfighters’ needs,” said Kent Holiday, vice president and general manager for ATK’s Small Caliber Systems division, headquartered at LCAAP. "Our production flexibility assures the customer we can seamlessly right-size capacity to remain responsive to uncertain future demands.”

ATK received recent orders totaling $131 million for small-caliber ammunition under an indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract with the Army Contracting Command, Rock Island, Ill. These orders include a mix of 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .50-caliber military ammunition to be produced at LCAAP.

6 | GCT 3.6

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Contract Awarded for Lightweight Body Armor Inserts Ceradyne Inc. announced it has received a contract for a newly designed lightweight ceramic armor system for groin armor protection inserts.

The first article testing (FAT) is scheduled to ship in the third quarter of the fiscal year with the initial production order scheduled shortly thereafter. The value of the FAT and initial order is approximately $658,000.

The balance on the contract of $5.9 million may be shipped at the government’s discretion over a period through August 8, 2017.

David Reed, Ceradyne president of North American operations, commented: “We are pleased that the U.S. Army has selected Ceradyne for this new armor design. We continue to believe our lightweight boron carbide/composite system offers our soldiers state-of-the-art weight and ballistics on the battlefield.”

Marines to Obtain Video Exploitation Systems L-3 Interstate Electronics Corp., Anaheim, Calif., is being awarded a $24 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity, firm-fixed-price supply contract to provide VideoScout Family of Systems (FoS) equipment in support of the Marine Corps.

VideoScout is a family of interoperable video exploitation and management systems to capture video and telemetry from a wide variety of unmanned aerial vehicles, receivers, sensors and intel network feeds.

This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of the individual contract to an estimated $84.9 million.

Work will be performed in Anaheim,and is expected to be completed by August 2013. If all options are exercised, work could continue until August 2016. This contract was not competitively procured since it is a sole source acquisition. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic, Charleston, S.C., manages the contract.

Army to Gain Services for Man Transportable Robotic System IRobot Corp., Bedford, Mass.; Science Applications International Corp., McLean, Va.; Savit Corp., Rockaway, N.J.; Stratom Inc., Boulder, Colo.; Honeybee Robotics Ltd., New York; and RE2 Inc., Pittsburgh, were awarded a $9.9 million firm-fixed-price contract.

The award will provide for the prototyping and engineering services in support of the Man Transportable Robotic System.

Work location will be determined with each task order, with an estimated completion date of August 30, 2017. The bid was solicited through the Internet, with 11 bids received.

The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J., manages the contract.

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SOLUTIONS FOR U.S. ARMY

Warfighters’ new ride will provide protection, high-tech systems.

By Dave Ahearn, GCT Editor

The next-generation joint light tactical vehicle (JLTV) will fill multiple military roles, easily surpassing the HMMWV, the venerable vehicle that served thousands of combatants through three decades, several wars and stateside peacetime duty.

While the JLTV will offer marked advances as a vehicle, it also will provide notable advances in the 21st-century innovations that will be installed in the first trucks built, with even more advances in years and decades to come.

To allow the JLTV to perform many missions, it will have several variants and sub-variants. Primary variants with companion trailers include the utility carrier and shelter, or JLTV-UTL, a two-seat prime mover with an open bed; and the general-purpose vehicle, or JLTV-GP, which is a four-seater that will carry troops, ammunition and small supplies. The four-seater also could come as a close combat weapons carrier boasting crew served weapons such as machine guns and grenade launchers, including the M2 .50 caliber machine gun.

The UTL will be able to tow a 105 mm howitzer or other loads, or it can be equipped with a shelter over the cargo bed to carry maintenance, comms or other gear.

As for the GP, it can be a command and control center, an intel asset, a logistics vehicle and more. It can be an anti-tank, anti-armor weapons platform for both the Army and Marine Corps.

Missions for JLTVs will range from transporting personnel to work as a medevac ambulance or cargo 8 | GCT 3.6

carrier. Each of those vehicles could come with various kits and mission-essential equipment.

And the JLTV will offer a wealth of features superior to the HMMWV. To examine the many capabilities of the JLTV, we received keen insights from those who know the future platform best: top program leaders with the companies that received JLTV engineering-manufacturing-development contracts from the Army-Marine Corps joint acquisition team.

They are Chris Vanslager, vice president of program management and business development, AM General; at Lockheed Martin, Scott Greene, vice presidentground vehicle programs, and Kathryn Hasse, directorJoint Light Tactical Vehicle program; and three leaders at Oshkosh Defense—John Bryant, vice president for joint and Marine Corps programs, Dave Diersen, director of defense programs, and Rob Messina, vice president for engineering.

Among its virtues, the JLTV will have state-of-theart comms systems. “There is a very robust suite of communications equipment and other governmentfurnished equipment” that will be integrated into the JLTV, Hasse observed.

And that will remain true, even as the vehicles age, she said. “We’ve developed an architecture so that as the various other programs such as JTRS [Joint Tactical Radio System] evolve, we’ll be able to accommodate that on the vehicle.”

The JLTV also can offer the latest in tire technology, with available run-flat tires, so that if the enemy www.GCT-kmi.com

shoots the tires, the JLTV still will be able to move down the road and escape the ambush.

For example, on the Oshkosh Light Combat Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle, or L-ATV, although standard equipment will be a typical off-road military tire, the L-ATV “is designed to incorporate a run-flat,” Bryant said, as it is equipped with a bead lock system that keeps a partially deflated tire on the wheel. That means the L-ATV can easily be fitted with run-flats.

The JLTV will be equipped with its own fire extinguishing systems to knock down flames inside the vehicle, and in the engine compartment. The JLTV will include an extensive fire suppression system as part of an overall design to survive IED and RPG blasts, said Vanslager. That system can’t depend on the crew to see a fire and trigger it; rather, the system must sense the fire and automatically extinguish it, all within no more than 10 seconds.

Not only will the JLTV be able to get surprising mileage compared to typical military trucks—the Lockheed Martin JLTV will exceed “well over 10 mpg,” Hasse disclosed— but each of the rival candidate JLTVs will have to be able to sip many different types of fuel, ranging from aviation fuels such as JP8 to kerosene types. And the vehicle will have to be able to go at least 300 miles on a tankful.

Looking at the Oshkosh version of the JLTV, the L-ATV offers vastly greater fuel economy than previous military rides, Bryant said, thanks in part to the vehicle weighing far less than other trucks designed to withstand IED blasts. “We designed this vehicle for fuel efficiency,” he explained.

“The curb weight on these vehicles has to be 14,000 pounds or less,” Hasse noted.

The other key point, Bryant added, is to have a highly efficient power train, including a fuel-miser engine.

Off-road, Anywhere The JLTV must be a do-anything, goanywhere vehicle, able to operate at anything from 500 feet below sea level up to a 12,000-foot mountain peak. It also must be able to handle blistering heat and frigid cold, ranging from minus 40 degrees up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, while handling the stresses imposed by crewmembers, electronics and more. And the vehicle engine must start in those temperatures with no more than two minutes of cranking.

While Americans drive on the right side of the road, JLTVs must be able to be produced with the steering wheel and controls on www.GCT-kmi.com

either side of the vehicle. There is no way to predict where in the world a war may erupt.

JLTVs must be able to operate on roads, and off road on beaches, in forests, through grasslands and jungles, over mountains and in deserts, in any season. A central tire inflation system can be used to help meet those demands, with the driver selecting tire pressure levels appropriate for highway travel, cross country, mud-snow-sand conditions, or an emergency.

In one tough test, the JLTV must be able to drive up a sand hill with a 40 percent grade.

On a dry, hard surface, it eventually should be able to climb or descend a 60 percent grade, as an objective. And it must be able to surmount an 18-inch-high obstacle, and also conquer a 20-foot stairway with 6-inch-high steps.

Because a vehicle going off road may encounter streams or beaches, the JLTV with a fording kit will have to plow through up to 60 inches of salt water. Without the kit, that would be 30 inches.

While the JLTV won’t be able to drag race a Ferrari, it will be able to go 0 to 30 mph in 9.4 seconds or less, with an objective of being able to do it in 7 seconds. And it will have to be able to do 0 to 50 mph in 26 seconds. It will have to do at least 70 as a top speed.

As for stopping, the brakes must halt a JLTV doing 20 mph in just 25 feet. And like many cars, the JLTV will have an automatic braking system and an electronic stability control system.

Because military vehicles can be disabled, such as by enemy fire, the JLTV will have to be able to tow another JLTV 100 miles over flat secondary roads, with an objective of eventually being able to tow another JLTV for 100 miles over cross-country terrain.

Survivability One of the most critical performance needs for the JLTV, or any military vehicle, is the ability to protect the crew and occupants when an IED or RPG detonates.

The JLTV not only will have both builtin and bolt-on armor systems that can be upgraded as the expected threat increases, the vehicle also will have shock absorbing seats and other features to lessen the blast impact on personnel.

In an example of how the military thought through even minute details of the JLTV concept and design, the companies were told that external fuel covers have to blend in with the body of the vehicle, so the enemy is less likely

to notice the covers as a target for RPGs or other weapons.

Moving from defense to offense, the JLTV will have weapon mounts that can swing around 360 degrees. The JLTV also will accommodate the gunner in several ways: by having a system to prevent the gunner from being thrown from the JLTV during rough off-road travel or in an accident, while permitting the gunner to duck back inside the vehicle if it rolls over.

Another way of protecting personnel against enemy weapons blasts such as roadside bombs is to avoid those weapons in the first place by going off-road. But that can mean harsh pounding for vehicle occupants in rough terrain. Each of the rival JLTV leaders stressed that their candidate vehicle would have excellent ride characteristics offroad.

For example, “We bring an advanced suspension system, an advanced high-powered fuel efficient power train-engine combination that … will take the vehicle off the beaten path, take it away from those routes that are likely to be mined with IEDs,” said Vanslager.

For the Oshkosh vehicle, Bryant noted repeatedly that the L-ATV Tak4i independent suspension system means the vehicle can move at far higher speeds with much greater ride comfort, compared to vehicles with oldstyle suspensions.

Price The JLTV will be affordable. Each of the rival companies said they will offer a lower sticker price on its JLTV than the roughly $260,000 or so maximum that the military has demanded. (The price requirement can be different, depending on the vehicle variant and equipment.) For example, a Lockheed Martin approach on the cost issue is to forego exotic, expensive materials in favor of commonplace items, Hasse explained.

“We have to achieve a very significantly reduced price point, particularly as it compares to MRAP vehicles of all forms and flavors,” she said.

The JLTV will be a high-tech, wired vehicle, able to adapt to the latest in electronic warfare. O

For more information, contact GCT Editor Dave Ahearn at davea@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

GCT 3.6 | 9

TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

Soldier Provider

Q& A

Ensuring Warriors Receive What’s Required to Win in Battle Major General Michael J. Terry Commanding General U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

Major General Michael J. Terry assumed command of the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command on June 21, 2012.

A native of Pennsylvania, he received his commission and Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement from the University of Scranton in 1979. He holds a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, Newport, R.I. Terry’s military education consists of the quartermaster basic and advance courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, Marine Corps Command and Staff College and The Naval War College.

His previous assignments include the 25th Infantry Division, Hawaii, where he served at the company and Division Support Command (DISCOM) levels. After the Advance Course, he was assigned to the Defense Personnel Support Center, Philadelphia, as aide to the commanding general. His next assignment was to the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized), Germany, at the DISCOM and battalion level, completing that tour as commander, Supply and Service Company, 4th Support Battalion (Main). Returning from Germany, he performed the duties as board recorder at the DA Secretariat for Selection Boards, PERSCOM, Alexandria, Va., followed by attendance at Marine Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va. After graduation, he was posted to the Directorate for Logistics and Security Assistance (J4/7), USCENTCOM, MacDill AFB, Fla., where he served as a logistics operations staff officer, and later, executive officer to the director, J4/7. During this assignment, he deployed as a member of the USCENTCOM Staff to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He then returned to the 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Germany and the Main Support Battalion, redesignated the 703d MSB, as support operations officer, and later, DISCOM executive officer. His next assignment was at Fort Carson, Colo., as commander of the Regimental Support Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment. After attending the Naval War College, he was assigned to the Directorate of Logistics and Security Assistance, (J4), USEUCOM, Germany, where he first served as chief, Logistics Operations Division and then as the deputy director, J4. He then assumed command of the 64th Corps Support Group (Forward), 13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM), Fort Hood, Texas, deploying with the group to Iraq supporting the 4th Infantry 10 | GCT 3.6

Division (Mechanized) and V Corps units during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon return from Iraq, he was assigned as assistant division commander for support, 7th Infantry Division (Light) and Fort Carson, Colo. His next assignment was in Washington, D.C., as the director of plans, operations, and readiness, deputy chief of Staff G-4; followed by duty as commanding general, 13th COSCOM, later redesignated as the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Hood. During his command tenure, the 13th deployed to New Orleans and Southwest Louisiana in support of humanitarian relief efforts after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and then to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation 06-08, where the 13th performed as the senior logistics command in Iraq, supporting Multi-National Corps-Iraq. His next assignment was as the commanding general, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, Fort Belvoir, Va. His last assignment was as the commanding general, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

His awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with 3 Oak Leafs), Bronze Star Medal (with 2 Oak Leafs), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leafs), Army Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Oak Leafs), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia www.GCT-kmi.com

TACOM Life Cycle Management Command Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist and Air Assault Badges.

Q: Now that you are settled in your new command, what improvements are you instituting at TACOM LCMC? A: We’re developing an organic industrial base strategy that will support our future force while at the same time taking into consideration potential funding levels and manpower requirements.

In concert with this strategy, we look to rebalance workloads across our organic installations, maintain critical core skills, and monitor our programs and priorities to ensure that we meet Army and joint force requirements.

To maintain a viable commercial industrial base, we also plan to support our commercial industrial base strategy through key strategic engagements. This strategy will leverage teamwork and include partnerships that will account for part standardization, surge efficiencies, and best practices while capitalizing on information-sharing opportunities.

We’ll also refine our human capital strategy for succession planning and right-sizing our workforce. The goal here is to maintain critical skill sets and core competencies and to ensure we retain a viable and flexible workforce that can support programs and ensure future Army requirements are executed on time and to standard.

Q: How do you view progress in the ground combat vehicle program, and what milestones has it achieved?

A: In January of this year, we began technical and operational assessments on non-developmental vehicles. Operational assessments concluded in early June at Fort Bliss, Texas. We have learned a great deal about the capabilities of existing combat platforms through these technical and operational assessments.

Results from both the technical and operational assessments will be analyzed and fed into our analysis of alternatives when final assessments conclude next month.

The overarching theme from soldiers during these assessments was they really “need a vehicle that deals with the capability gaps we’ve had in other vehicles.” The soldiers liked the direction taken by the Army in seeking a vehicle that’s as versatile, lethal and adaptive as the individual warfighter.

As the Army goes further into this process, the assessments of technical achievability, existing vehicle platforms, refined cost estimates and potential affordability adjustments will significantly inform potential changes to requirements.

Q: Some $487 billion of reductions in defense programs over 10 years are being legislated. What cost reduction and efficiency moves have already been instituted in the command?

A: Effective and efficient use of the taxpayer dollars we receive is a high interest area for us. Beginning in 2007, the TACOM LCMC has worked hard to institutionalize a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. The goal to have TACOM LCMC www.GCT-kmi.com

associates at every level advocate, pursue and implement continuous process improvement methods is a nonstop effort through the promulgation of Lean Six Sigma across the command. I know Lean Six Sigma works. I’m committed to keeping our continuous process improvement momentum moving forward.

We’ve trained hundreds of teammates—master black belts, black belts, and green belts—from every major business center in the command. More importantly, they’re out in our workplaces conducting projects and generating savings in our industrial and administrative organizations. The application of Lean Six Sigma principles and techniques enabled the Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support [PEO CS&CSS] to achieve a $2 billion cost avoidance on the MRAP vehicle program.

Coupled with the TACOM LCMC’s strong value engineering program, our command is able to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and enhance the value of our products, services and support.

In regards to funding, we will continue to work hard to provide the best value in regards to services and equipment and to ensure our soldiers have the resources available to continue to remain the dominant land force around the globe. We are committed to working smarter, more efficiently and utilizing process improvements to ensure the health and safety of our most important resource, our people. Again, the key to the future will be to leverage technology, best business practices and process improvements to ensure we maintain a viable capability in accordance with our senior leadership priorities.

Q: A further $500 billion of sequestration reductions over a decade may commence starting in January. How would that affect TACOM LCMC? A: As our Army continues to perform unified land operations around the world, we will ensure we are postured to support future requirements. The fiscal reality is that we will get smaller.

How we do it is the hard part. Setting priorities and channeling resources will be the next step in our efforts to ensure we provide the capabilities that our force needs. I believe we will be facing some challenging times, but our Army and the TACOM LCMC will continue to execute our mission based on the guidance provided by our senior leaders.

We continue to maximize lean processes and embrace ongoing cost-savings initiatives. Commandwide, we’ve achieved validated cost efficiencies of $138 million in fiscal year 2010 and $151 million in FY11. Our award-winning value engineering program is consistently one of the Army’s best. In FY11, the command amassed over $518 million in savings via 29 implemented value engineering programs. I believe continuing to leverage these cost-savings programs will allow us to respond effectively to future budget reductions.

Q: What is your assessment of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program, and how well do you see the JLTV serving needs of warfighters in the new asymmetric type of warfare that has emerged in the 21st century?

A: The JLTV requirement, acquisition strategy and contract approach have all been structured to supply the Army and Marine Corps with a JLTV that provides the best possible balance of GCT 3.6 | 11

TACOM Life Cycle Management Command payload, protection and performance at a reasonable cost. This will allow the JLTV to support the Army and Marine Corps through the full spectrum of missions on all types of terrain. The JLTV will be capable of supporting both services in a full-spectrum non-linear battlefield.

Q: What are the leading current efforts of PEO Soldier, in terms of enhancing survivability of the warfighter and in terms of lethality?

A: PEO Soldier is providing soldiers with the body armor and protective equipment that enhances their survivability. The Interceptor body armor and the Improved Outer Tactical Vest are state-of-the-art ballistic protection.

Likewise, the Advanced Combat Helmet provides unparalleled ballistic and fragmentation protection. These systems provide the soldier and squad confidence in performing their missions.

Enhancing survivability is not limited to body armor. Ballistic eye protection shields the eyes, and fire resistant gloves protect the soldier’s hands. ProjThe Joint Light Tactical Vehicle will offer light weight, but also will protect occupants against IED blasts. [Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin] ect Manager Soldier Protection and Individual Equipment are evaluating how soldiers employ the weapon in combat and design enhancenew camouflage patterns that may make it harder for the enemy ments for improving the weapon’s performance. The Army will be to see and shoot at our soldiers. The Fire Resistant Army Combat acquiring a 36-system battalion set featuring the improved design Uniform–Permethrin not only protects the soldier against fire, it for a 2013 forward operational assessment. also repels insects and ticks that spread deadly diseases. The Pelvic Protection System, composed of the protective undergarment and Q: How will the proposed slowdown in the Abrams and Bradley the protective outer garment, protects the upper thighs and groin lines be accomplished? against shrapnel and debris. Finally, the Extreme Cold Weather System we have developed will help the soldier survive bitter A: We are actively engaged with industry and our suppliers on how weather conditions. to best mitigate risks to ensure we maintain a healthy combat vehiFrom a lethality perspective, PEO Soldier has several lines cle industrial base. The industrial base is very critical to the Army’s of effort to enhance soldier capability on the battlefield. One sigsuccess. Please understand that we are not shutting down the Joint nificant effort is the continued fielding of the Common Remotely Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, Ohio. The Army remains Operated Weapon Station systems that provide soldiers the ability focused on completing current Abrams tank production requireto acquire and engage targets while protected inside an armored ments, while simultaneously initiating future tank modernization, vehicle. The Army has taken delivery of more than 10,500 systems recapitalization and foreign military sales efforts. to date. These systems provide fire superiority for the soldier as a What this all means is that production lines will slow down and result of their ability to turn ‘area weapons,’ such as the M2, into level off, but production will not cease at Lima. This will allow the on-the-move precision engagement weapons.

Army to focus its limited resources on the development of the next Development also continues on the XM25 Counter Defilade generation Abrams tank instead of building more of the same tanks Target Engagement System. This system fires programmable airthat have exceeded their space, weight and power limits. burst munitions that can defeat an enemy behind cover to break the parity of direct-fire, small-arms engagements. The effect is Q: What new advancements do you see emerging in the chemical/ to reduce the duration of combat engagements and make our biological defense area? soldiers a more lethal force on the battlefield. The XM25 is in its engineering, manufacturing and development phase and has been A: We realize the capability to obtain early warning about the undergoing testing. The Army learned valuable lessons from its deliberate use or natural emergence of dangerous pathogens first forward operational assessments of these systems, including 12 | GCT 3.6

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TACOM Life Cycle Management Command hinges upon the development of a global bio-surveillance network.

Diagnostics is fundamental to bio-surveillance, and it is a key area of focus. We are developing and integrating state-of-the-art environmental and diagnostic chemical and biological identification systems to enable both force protection and force health protection.

Bio-surveillance efforts within organizations such as the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense are focused on developing systems that integrate information from sensors and sharing information with multiple agencies to respond faster and more effectively to bioterrorism or an infectious disease. Work is also underway on a next generation diagnostic system to field a more comprehensive and certified diagnostic tool. Additionally, we are developing medical countermeasures to rapidly and safely respond to chemical and biological threats, as well as emerging infectious diseases with pre- and post-symptomatic treatments.

Ultimately, the Department of Defense will maintain a healthy science and technology base program, a promising advanced development component, and continued procurement of essential defense systems in the area of chemical and biological defense. We will continue the development of broad-spectrum technologies for integration into a system-of-systems approach for countering evolving and emerging threats.

adjustment can damage the weapon and cause injury to the user.

The upgraded M2A1 provides commanders with near constant firepower and less downtime. The Army’s plan is to upgrade its fleet of more than 45,000 M2 machine guns to the M2A1 standard.

Q: Do you have any closing thoughts concerning TACOM LCMC and the men and women of your command?

A: We live in a time of accelerating change. Our ability—as TACOM LCMC teammates—to be ready, relevant and responsive will help enable us to meet future challenges with confidence and competence. For many aspects of our work, doing things the way we did them in the 1990s or even just a few years ago may not be good enough. Our continuous process improvement activities are intended to meet this reality head-on.

The TACOM LCMC exists for one purpose—to support soldiers. My job is to make certain that our teammates have what they need to support soldiers to the best of their ability. If additional training, technology, or guidance is necessary, I’ll work to get our folks what they need. My expectation is that every member of the TACOM LCMC will work to standard ... or better. Having a job is good, but each one of us is here for a reason—to give our soldiers the best possible products, service and support. That’s what the TACOM LCMC motto—Committed to Excellence—is all about. O

Q: Do you foresee any potential for changes or improvements in rifles, carbines or machine guns?

A: The Army’s current small arms weapons provide combat effective, lethal capabilities to defeat threats on the current and future complex battlefield. However, the Army continues to improve and modernize. A major effort underway is the Army’s “Dual Path Strategy,” which includes the M4 Product Improvement Program and the Individual Carbine Competition. The M4 PIP will upgrade the Army’s M4s to the M4A1 that delivers increased sustained rate of fire, reliability, durability and enhanced ergonomics with the incorporation of an ambidextrous fire control to the design. The Army has already taken delivery of thousands of new M4A1s and TACOM is fielding approximately 6,000 M4A1 carbines to the 101st Airborne Division, and plans to field several thousand more within the next several months.

The individual carbine competition is a full and open “best value” competition that challenges industry to put forth weapons that are more effective, reliable, affordable, sustainable and are highly acceptable by soldiers. Once the Army selects a winner, Army leadership will utilize cost benefit analysis decision criteria to determine if it is in the best interest of the Army to procure the winning carbine, and if so, what the ultimate basis of issue will be.

The dual path is a win-win for the soldier. The soldier will either get an entirely new carbine or an even better version of a combatproven platform.

The Army is also moving out to improve its crew served weapons by fielding the upgraded M2A1 .50 caliber machine gun. The M2A1 incorporates significant improvements such as a fixed headspace and timing configuration, quick change barrel, and a new flash hider that reduces muzzle flash by 95 percent. The M2A1’s fixed “headspace and timing” enhancement resolves the number one safety issue for soldiers operating the weapon system, as improper www.GCT-kmi.com

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6/4/12 9:48 AM GCT 3.6 | 13

TACOM Life Cycle Management Command

Tacom Lcmc Command Group

■■ Commanding General ■■Deputy To Commanding General

■■ Chief Of Staff ■■ Deputy Chief Of Staff ■■ Command Sergeant Major

Tacom LCMC G3

■■ Director ■■ Deputy Director

G4/Logistics, Engineering & Environment Directorate

G6/Chief Information Office

Integrated Logistics Support Center

■■ Director

■■ Chief Information Officer ■■ Chief Information Management &

■■ Executive Director

Technology Business Management

■■ Information Management &

Technology Business Collaboration

■■ Chief Technology Officer ■■ Information Assurance & Management Office

Combat Support/Combat Services Support, Readiness & Sustainment

■■ Director

Logistics Integration

■■ Director ■■ Associate Director

Soldier, Biological, Chemical Operations

Business Management Directorate

■■ Director

■■ Director ■■ Automation Management & Support Division Director

■■ Integrated Financial

Management Division

■■ Administrative Services Division Deployment Equipment Product Support Integration Directorate

Tactical Vehicles Product Support Integration Directorate

■■ Director ■■ Troop Support Group ■■ Construction Equipment

■■ Director ■■ Heavy Truck Group ■■ Light Truck Group ■■ Medium Truck Group ■■ Light/Medium Systems

Group ■■ Materials Handling Equipment Group ■■ Petroleum & Water ■■ Logistics Group ■■ Watercraft Inspection Group

Contracting Group ■■ Trailers

Weapons Product Support Integration Directorate

■■ Director ■■ Associate Director ■■ Apache Team ■■ Apache Longbow Team

■■ USA Helicopter Team

■■ Crew Served

Weapons Team

■■ Individual

Weapons Team

■■ Small Arms Group ■■ Heavy Machine Gun Team

■■ Medium Machine Gun Team

14 | GCT 3.6

■■ Light Machine Gun Team

■■ Rifle & Carbines

Team ■■ Mount Team ■■ Associate Director/Executive Agent Small Arms Logistics & Demilitarization ■■ Logistic Team ■■ Team Support Group ■■ Resources Team ■■ Provisioning Team ■■ Special Projects Team

Chemical/Biological Defense Product Support Integration Directorate

■■ Director ■■ Contracting Associate Director

■■ Product Support Integrator Decontamination & Collective Protection Group ■■ Chemical Defense Equipment New Initiatives & Support Group ■■ Product Support Integrator Ip/Alarms/Bio Group

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Light Armored Vehicle

Anniston Army Depot Command Staff

Red River Army Depot Command Staff

Sierra Army Depot Command Staff

■■ Program Manager ■■ Deputy Program

■■ Commander ■■ Deputy To Commander ■■ Contracting Director ■■ Information Management Director ■■ Foia Coordinator ■■ Public Affairs Officer ■■ Public Works Director ■■ Small Business Coordinator ■■ Garrison Manager ■■ Materiel Management Directorate ■■ Engineering & Quality Directorate

■■ Commander ■■ Deputy To The Commander ■■ Chief Of Staff/Garrison Manager ■■ Sergeant Major ■■ Public Affairs Officer ■■ Information Management Director ■■ Foia Coordinator ■■ Contracting Director ■■ Legal Officer ■■ Director Of Maintenance,

■■ Commander ■■ Deputy To Commander ■■ Foia Coordinator ■■ Information Management

Manager

■■ Business Financial Manager

■■ Rapid Acquisitions & Modifications

■■ Contract Manager

Industrial Base Operations

Ground Combat Support, Readiness & Sustainment

■■ Director

■■ Director

Light Combat Product Support Integration Directorate

■■ Director ■■ Heavy Armor &

■■ Director ■■ Bradley Armanment

■■ Abrams Armament Group ■■ Combat Support ■■ Mobility Group

■■ Bradley Mobility Group ■■ M113/Fox Mobility Group ■■ Brigade Combat Team Support

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Coordinator

Logistics Director

■■ Public Works Manager ■■ Resource Management Officer

Heavy Combat Product Support Integration Directorate

Recovery Group

Director

■■ Public Affairs Officer ■■ Public Works Officer ■■ Small Business

& Mines Group

Group/Interim Armored Vehicle Support Team

Security Assistance Management Directorate

■■ Director ■■ Geographic A Division Chief ■■ Geographic B Division Chief ■■ Technical Support/Operations C Division ■■ Management Office

Field Artillery Directorate

■■ Director ■■ M109 Family Logistics Leader ■■ M109 Supply Team ■■ Medium Towed & Fire Control ■■ Light Towed & Fire Control ■■ Towed Artillery Net Team ■■ Towed M198 Team ■■ Towed M119/M102 Team ■■ Operations Teams ■■ Target Acquisition Team

GCT 3.6 | 15

INNOVATIONS Tactical Rescue Stretcher

Active Blast Countermeasure System

Daytac

TenCate Advanced Armor

Weight: 12 ounces Load capacity: 2,000 pounds Personnel: Up to 6-person carry Material: Nylon mesh and webbing

RE0412 Rugged Embedded Computer Crystal Rugged Materials: carbon fiber Weight: 4 pounds Capacity: 16GB RAM Height: 3.13 inches Width: 10.76 inches Depth: 8.13 inches Power Supply: 28VDC With an all aluminum chassis weighing in at 4 pounds, the RE0412 provides a small package with big capabilities. The unit was optimized for airborne and ground mobile applications where significant processing power is required.

The RE0412 is rugged, powerful and lightweight.

Using expertise in avionics design and development, Crystal created the next generation in rugged computing. This technology provides enhanced computing power in the harshest of environments.

Rather than just designing to standards, the company actually tests to them.

Innovative packaging techniques and attention to important details makes the RE0412 run cooler and perform at wider temperature extremes.

The design approach limits deflection and extends circuit board solder joint life.

16 | GCT 3.6

TenCate Advanced Armor is unveiling a vehicle protection asset, the Active Blast Countermeasure System (ABDS) that counteracts the immense forces of an IED blast.

“The TenCate ABDS system is a revolutionary vehicle protection innovation which offers life-saving protection for vehicle occupants by counteracting the acceleration forces to both occupant and vehicle associated with underbody IED blasts,” said TenCate Advanced Armor President Mark Edwards.

While details of the system are classified, TenCate disclosed that in IED blast testing, a vehicle without the system was tossed 8 feet in the air, while the same type of vehicle with the TenCate system rose only 3.5 feet.

Upon detecting an IED detonation, the system provides an automatic and instantaneous response that effectively mitigates the devastating effects of the IEDs by substantially minimizing the acceleration of the vehicle and preserving the vehicle hull.

According to TenCate, the system, as tested, requires minimal power, adds very little weight, claims very little space, and plays a dual protection role as part of the entire armor system. These key characteristics allow the system to be integrated onto any class of military vehicle without degrading other critical vehicle capabilities.

“The system is designed to be a cost-effective solution that can be easily retrofitted and field-installed to meet the ever-changing and continuing IED threat,” Edwards observed.

PMAG 30 Gen M3 Magpul Capacity: 30 rounds Ammo: 5.56x45 NATO / .223 Remington Weapons: AR15, M4, M16 Material: M3 polymer technology Follower: Anti-tilt

www.GCT-kmi.com

Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Quick Link Hydration Kit CamelBak Control: one-handed on/off water flow Adaptability: attach the USMC standard filter or other accessory Drink tube: insulated CamelBak has unveiled an improvement for its hydration system. With the Quick Link exit port and QL HydroLock bite valve adapter, the tube clicks off for faster refilling with auto shut-off.

The new fillport offers the industry’s largest opening, with air-tight one-quarter turn open/close for a quick, secure seal that can’t be over-tightened, in a lighter-weight, lower profile design.

Epic-X Camera Red Camera Red's Epic-X camera captures ultra high-resolution motion and still images, holding up to four times the detail of an HD camera system. With the ability to shoot between 1 to 120 fps at full resolution, no subject will ever be faster than the camera.

To add more features or connections to the Epic-X, an arsenal of modules can attach directly to the camera brain, ensuring the perfect camera for every job, according to the company.

The Epic-X picks up where other cameras leave off, offering an unprecedented 18 stops of dynamic range when using Red's HDRx feature. This flexibility exposes the image the way it was meant to be seen—even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Exposure and focus tools may be easily accessed with a Red touchscreen display or by using a DSMC Side Handle or wireless Redmote, lending the assistance needed to get the shots.

Since Red began in 2006, acclaimed directors such as Ridley Scott, Steven Soderberg, and David Fincher have all proudly adopted Red technology to shoot their feature films. A combination of cutting-edge technology and futureproof resolution has contributed to the success of the Epic-X camera, making it a clear successor to the HD era of digital cinema, according to the company, adding that when every moment counts and attention to detail is needed, Epic-X can expand imaging horizons. www.GCT-kmi.com

Sights Aimpoint Sight type: reflex Reticle: red dot Waterproof: to 25 meters depth Battery/life: CR 2032/up to five years Weight: 4 ounces Aimpoint has announced the addition of the 2 minute-of-angle (MOA) Micro T-1 and Micro H-1 sights to the company’s product line. These new 2 MOA versions are available immediately, and will be offered alongside the current Micro series sights including the 4 MOA Micro T-1 and Micro H-1.

GCT 3.6 | 17

INNOVATIONS Invisio V60 Quad-Com System TEA Headsets The Invisio V60 tactical quad-com system provides users a small, simple and smart controller that allows warriors to connect and take command of their communications, whether on land, sea or air.

Because size matters, the V60 is 50 percent smaller than its predecessor the Invisio X50 and other similar systems, making it the market’s smallest quad-comcapable tactical communication system.

Quad-com-capable means that with the use of a dual-net radio users now have the unique capability of communicating across four separate channels with the new V60.

Devices that can be integrated into the V60 include two-way radios, dual-net radios, radio man-packs, vehicle/aircraft and watercraft ICS [intercommunications system], mobile phones, tablets, PCs and even user-to-user through the use of TEA’s new portable intercom system.

Users can also control their devices remotely or from the rail of their rifle with the optional Invisio M80 dual wireless push-to-talk.

According to TEA Headsets, what makes the V60 even more popular is that TEA has made adapters for it that work with existing and legacy headsets such as Peltor or Sordin. Like the X50, the V60 will often be used with the Invisio X5, a dual in-ear headset which provides user-certified hearing protection, enhanced digital hearing and clear communications, which still uses patented bone conduction microphones for speech. TEA will also offer a custom-molded version of this headset called the X6 and a special version for JTAC/airborne applications.

V60 is rated IP68 (submersible down to 20 meters) and compliant with MIL-STD810F standards. The V60 will be available for demo at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., and will be available for team evaluations shortly after.

Wide Area Networked Display Zebra Imaging Display: Holographic View: 3-D Platform: COTS tablet computers Size: Tablets Networking: Yes

18 | GCT 3.6

G-Form AdvanTac • Absorbs 94 percent of the energy from impact, stiffening upon contact • Instantly regains malleability after impact • Protects body parts from impact while maintaining maximum comfort and mobility in the field

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Compiled by KMI Media Group staff

Intelligent Power Technology Generator System DHS Systems DHS Systems now offers a system of generators, multiple power sources that can be operated jointly in a grid.

“DHS Systems LLC recognizes the significance of having energy efficient technology during a period of budget cuts and rising fuel costs,” said Mark Wlazlak, DHS technologies manager, business development.

“The goal is to do more with less and that is the idea behind creating intelligent power technology [IPT],” he added. “IPT is a digital smart system that enables soldiers to connect several digital generators to form a networked power micro-grid.

With IPT, power is only transmitted to the sections of a [power system] that immediately require it.

This kind of system cuts fuel costs dramatically without sacrificing energy where it is needed.”

The IPT system enables generators to operate together and with greater efficiency, which greatly reduces fuel consumption and overhead. The power system can be easily transported from one location to the next.

By combining DRASH intelligent power technology with the proven reliability of DRASH utility support trailers, soldiers have a highly mobile and battlefield-proven platform that can easily be reconfigured from one location to the next to meet all power generation needs.

Designed to operate in the toughest terrain and easily towed behind common military vehicles, these trailers conform to established “safe to transport” criteria by the Military

Transport Management Command as suitable for “secondary and unimproved roads” and sealift transportability. Many trailers are also certified for air transport aboard select military aircraft.

They have been tested at the Aberdeen Test Center, Md., and the Nevada Automotive Test Center to meet all U.S. military standards for trailers.

Outfitted with a simple and user-friendly touch screen with robust functionality, soldiers can easily control operations from their fingertips.

IPT is designed for plug-and-play. Utilizing the latest in connectorized cabling, it instantly recognizes additional inputs and is smart enough to automatically self-adjust without interruption as power demand changes.

This technology also features real-time system performance and diagnostics tools enabling users to monitor fuel levels, engine temperature, oil pressure, run speeds and many other essential parameters.

Fast Rigged Advantage Gear (FRAG) Master Pull The Master Pull FRAG Kit was specially designed for fast rigging and engineered to handle recovery of H-D vehicle platforms weighing over 40,000 pounds that are not equipped with a proper winching system to handle heavy weight.

Side plates: A514--T1 steel Axle: stainless steel cond. 1100 17-4PH Bearing: Kevlar backed fiber, Teflon Sheave: stainless steel 303/304 Washers: stainless steel 303/304 Bolts, nuts: stainless steel 18-8 Rope guard: molded nylon Powder coat: black Hammerite Synthetic line: Superline XD 24,000 pounds Pulling power maximum: 150,000 pounds

www.GCT-kmi.com

GCT 3.6 | 19

Army Acquirer

Q& A

Providing Protection for Warriors is a Key Goal, Including Survivability in JLTV

Lieutenant General William “Bill” N. Phillips Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology)

Lieutenant General William “Bill” N. Phillips became the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army (acquisition, logistics and technology) and director, acquisition career management, on February 1, 2010.

In his previous assignment, he was the commanding general, Joint Contracting Command-Iraq/Afghanistan in Baghdad, Iraq, from February 2009 to January 2010. Prior to that assignment, he served as commanding general, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.; program executive officer ammunition; and commander, joint munitions and lethality Life Cycle Management Command from May 2007 to January 2009. He also served as deputy program executive officer, aviation, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. Commissioned a second lieutenant of field artillery on May 28, 1976, he entered active duty at Fort Sill, Okla., serving with 3rd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery. In 1979, he completed rotary wing aviation training at Fort Rucker, Ala., and was assigned to 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He was later assigned to U.S. Army Aviation Center, Fort Rucker, joining the Aviation Branch. In 1986, Phillips completed a training-withindustry tour with McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. in Mesa, Ariz., and was assigned to Army Aviation Systems Command as the contracting officer for AH-64 Apache, AH-1, UH-1 aircraft, and assistant program manager for Longbow Apache. He deployed as chief of contracting, Joint Task Force Bravo, Honduras. In 1991 he was assigned as Aviation Brigade S1, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea.

In 1992, he was assigned as chief of flight operations, defense plant representative office (DPRO), Boeing Helicopters, Philadelphia.

From July 1994 to June 1996, he commanded DPRO McDonnell Douglas, Huntington Beach. In June 1997, he was assigned as director for information management for the assistant secretary of the Army (research, development and acquisition) and managed the Army’s Procurement Information Systems. He commanded Defense Contract Management San Francisco from September 1999 to June 2001. From July 2001 to August 2004 he served as director, Unit Set Fielding, and acting director of integration for the Army G-8. www.GCT-kmi.com

Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Middle Tennessee State University, Master of Science degree in procurement and materials management from Webster University, and Master of Personnel Management, Troy State University. He is a graduate of Command and General Staff College, Defense Systems Management College, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (3 OLC), Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Army Staff Identification Badge. In 2001, he was named the Army’s Acquisition Commander of the Year.

Q: The leading cause of combat casualties and deaths in the wars has been the IED. How do you assess the effort to counter and defeat roadside bombs?

A: Countering or defeating improvised explosive devices is an important requirement, among many that comprise the broader mission of providing security for soldiers and combat units over a wide area. The overall Army approach to IED protection is GCT 3.6 | 21

the purpose of improving soldier survivability in Afghanistan. The Stryker double-V hull is a re-configured Stryker vehicle engineered for the purpose of providing soldiers with improved protection from IEDs, roadside bombs and other threats. There are over 400 Stryker DVHs in Afghanistan today. Furthermore, we have fielded thousands of mine resistant ambush protected [MRAP] vehicles and MRAP all-terrain vehicles designed to protect soldiers from IEDs and roadside bombs; these vehicles continue to perform very well, saving lives in combat.

Finally, our development of future vehicle platforms is grounded in a clear effort to protect soldiers from current and potential future IED threats. For instance, our ground combat vehicle program, now in its technology development [TD] phase, will provide an infantry carrier engineered with protected mobility, able to deliver a nine-man squad into a full range of potential mission scenarios, including an IED environment. In addition, the JLTV will have substantial IED and roadside bomb protection.

Q: How is the Army progressing with plans to modernize the network and deliver Capability Set 13?

A Stryker is loaded onto a C-17 Globemaster. [Photo courtesy of DoD]

multi-dimensional. We work with our joint partners to attack and disrupt the networks aimed at targeting our forces with IEDs. We attack the human IED-emplacing networks by identifying and removing the bomb makers or financiers. Most important for acquisition is to develop and field a range of cutting-edge technology engineered to detect and prevent IED attacks. Then if these measures are not successful, our final approach to this threat is having the equipment to sustain the hit!

Identifying and deploying the best technologies is a large part of this equation. Working with our joint partners, the Army has been able to significantly defend against and decrease the number of IED attacks through several urgently fielded systems and capabilities.

For instance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance programs in the form of unmanned aircraft systems have given troops a 360-degree awareness of the battlefield in order to prevent IED attacks. The Army now manages a fleet of roughly 6,000 UAS systems designed, in many cases, to use the latest in sensor technology to detect IEDs and the human networks which emplace them.

These efforts, working in tandem with other surveillance assets such as ground-based reconnaissance teams, helicopters and fixed wing surveillance aircraft, have been very successful in protecting soldiers and saving lives. Further, we have fielded thousands of Counter Radio-Controlled IED Electronic Warfare Jammers that prevent the enemy from detonating IEDs remotely. There are vehicle-mounted jammers able to protect convoys, as well as smaller, more mobile systems for dismounted units on-the-move. In addition, we have deployed 4,000 robotic platforms to assist in explosive ordnance disposal and IED-specific missions. These robots are, in many instances, equipped with bomb-detecting cameras and sensors able to discover IEDs before soldiers are placed in harm’s way.

Our tactical and combat vehicle strategy reflects our emphasis on protecting soldiers from IEDs. For example, the Stryker double V-hull has performed beyond our expectations in countering IEDs. This vehicle, which went from concept to delivery in approximately 15 months, represents the Army’s ability to harness innovation for 22 | GCT 3.6

A: The latest iteration of the Army’s tactical network is called Capability Set 13 as you mentioned, and is currently fielding with two brigades from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Capability Set 13 is designed to give soldiers an increased ability to share combatrelevant information faster, farther and more efficiently across the force in real time.

Capability Set 13 represents the progress the Army has made developing and delivering a series of next-generation networking technologies designed to give soldiers increased access to vital information, situational awareness and communications capability in combat. Some of these technologies include mobile satellite and radio networks, as well as handheld, smartphone-like devices with digital map displays showing the surrounding terrain and force position location information.

These technologies are organized into an integrated group of systems that function together to maximize interoperability.

Some of the elements of Capability Set 13 include the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical [WIN-T] Increment 2, a mobile satellite and radio network able to greatly increase the ability of forces to communicate and access data/video while vehicles are on the move. WIN-T Inc 2 provides a significant upgrade to the currently fielded version operating in Afghanistan today, by providing mobile comms capability. It remains a critical part of the Army’s network; most importantly it will save lives. Another element of Capability Set 13 is the hand-held Nett Warrior system, consisting of a software-programmable radio for the individual dismounted soldier, called Rifleman Radio, and a smartphone-like handheld device with a digital display screen. Nett Warrior provides mapping and force location information, connecting dismounted units with higher headquarters in real time. This system has already proved itself in combat with the 75th Rangers. Rifleman Radio is part of our family of software programmable radios called Joint Tactical Radio Systems, engineered to transmit voice, video, data to the tactical edge.

Building on our previous efforts, the Army is now evaluating Capability Set 14. The focus is integrating the network onto Stryker vehicle platforms while continuing to refine how we deliver the network to the individual soldier. Although this is a relatively new process, we have seen it reap benefits already, and broad support www.GCT-kmi.com

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Q: The Army just awarded contracts for the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program. How do you assess the need for the JLTV as a platform meeting warfighters’ needs in the very challenging threat environment of the 21st century?

A: The joint light tactical vehicle is one of the Army’s equipping priorities. It’s a major acquisition program born “joint” out of necessity to fill a critical gap in protected mobility in both the Marines and Army light tactical vehicle fleets. Both services have identified vulnerabilities in their LTV fleets that cannot be addressed in a costeffective way by rebuilding the existing up-armored HMMWV fleet.

Under the JLTV program, we are developing a new multi-mission light vehicle family with superior crew protection and performance compared to the HMMWVs. We have worked closely with industry to structure an acquisition strategy and shape a requirement that leverages mature and ready vehicle designs that industry has developed both in conjunction with the JLTV TD phase and with their own funding, Industry engagement has and will continue to be a big part of this program! So addressing this capability gap now, when the industrial base is ready to respond, will ultimately drive down both cost and risk.

The JLTV TD phase was highly successful and satisfied its intended purpose of demonstrating the integration of mature technologies as a complete system.

It provided an assessment of the technical performance, cost and schedule risks relevant to entering the engineering and manufacturing development [EMD] phase. It gave the Army and Marines exactly the kind of information we needed to make well-informed decisions about what JLTV can be, and what it should cost. Most recently, we took another critical development step and announced the selection of three JLTV EMD contracts, totaling approximately $185 million.

It’s important to note that HMMWVs will remain part of our LTV fleet for the foreseeable future. However, JLTV will replace one-third of the non-armored HMMWV fleet by 2035. Current JLTV acquisition estimates are 50,000 vehicles for the Army and 5,500 for the Marine Corps. JLTV is purpose-built to integrate and carry the network capability into battle, as well as to evolve with C4ISR capabilities and future requirements. In developing the requirements for this new vehicle, we leveraged new collaboration techniques with the Marine Corps and industry, and incorporated the collective lessons learned over the past decade of war. I am fully confident that we will achieve the most capable, affordable vehicle that optimizes performance, payload and soldier protection in our light tactical vehicle fleet for the future. A final comment on JLTV: This is truly an out-of-the-box, transformational program! O

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Energy savings could mean fewer defense cuts.

By Dave Ahearn GCT Editor A Department of Defense drive to reduce massive outlays for energy products could reap huge sums able to avert what some in Congress see as deep and destructive defense program cuts.

Military fuel and electricity costs amount to billions of dollars each year, at a time when the Pentagon is facing between $487 billion and $1 trillion of program cuts over 10 years.

For example, on a single day, September 20, the Defense Logistics Agency issued multiple contracts for fuel for a combined total of more than $5 billion. To place that in perspective, that amount would permit the Army and Marine Corps to procure 20,000 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, which later this decade will replace the venerable HMMWV. In other words, $5 billion would fund acquisition of one-third of the JLTVs planned for the vehicle replacement program. Or that much funding could procure two Virginia Class attack submarines, one of the most complex machines ever created.

DoD is well underway with its effort to reduce fuel costs, but ample savings remain to be realized, and many ground combat programs will be part of the solution. The JLTV itself will devour far less fuel than older, inefficient trucks, partly because of its mandated lighter weight, but also because contractor teams competing to build the JLTV are turning to the commercial sector to harvest existing off-the-shelf engine efficiency systems.

For example, even some light tactical military vehicles may score 7 or fewer mpg, an expensive proposition when fuel delivered in theater may cost $400 per gallon. Some heavy armored machines may deliver only 3 or 4 mpg.

But next-generation vehicles will do far better. For example, Lockheed Martin is leading a team developing a set of wheels that will provide well more than 10 mpg, according to Kathryn Hasse, Lockheed Martin director-Joint Light Tactical Vehicle program.

26 | GCT 3.6

And that was “on a vehicle that was substantially heavier” than the JLTV that the company is developing now.

The Lockheed JLTV achieves that by weighing perhaps 40 percent less than some all-terrain vehicles rolling in theater, she explained, plus using a highly efficient power plant from Cummins Engine, and an advanced transmission by Allison.

A competitor, Oshkosh Defense, also is touting the fuel economy of its candidate for the JLTV program: the light combat tactical all terrain vehicle, or L-ATV. Aside from light weight, it has a cutting-edge engine developed in the cost-conscious commercial arena, the “Duramax 6.6 liter engine, a highly efficient” power source, said Rob Messina, Oshkosh vice president for engineering. That power plant alone can cut fuel consumption by a hefty 30 percent compared to typical truck engines, Messina disclosed.

Turning to another vehicle program, the future ground combat vehicle likely will set economy records for heavy armored vehicles.

General Dynamics is developing its version of the GCV for the Army, and the massive ride will include power provided by a firm with a century of commercial engine experience, Tognum America, provider of high-capacity diesel propulsion systems based on MTU engines. Tognum is developing new engines that use as much as 10 percent less fuel than predecessor power plants.

A rival firm, BAE Systems North America, also is vying to build the GCV, and BAE has a new-tech system that will provide a 10 to 20 percent fuel savings versus “a similarly capable mechanical drive system,” according to Mark Signorelli, vice president of the BAE ground combat systems program. Over time, this translates into significant savings and formidable reductions in logistics burdens, he stressed. Using hybrid electric systems, the BAE GCVs will require that many fewer fuel convoys to supply them. www.GCT-kmi.com

Another vehicle development program features the reconnaissance surveillance targeting vehicle, or RSTV, fostered by the Office of Naval Research and DAPRA, that has a small engine powering a generator that keeps a battery charged. It, in turn, provides electricity for the motor in each wheel hub.

UAS Hefty fuel savings are ensured as the armed services increasingly perform missions with small, lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles in place of large manned aircraft. A Black Hawk helicopter consumes 750 to 1,100 liters of fuel per hour. Compare that to less than 5 liters an hour of fuel sipped by some remotely piloted aerial vehicles.

UAS technology can range all the way down to the Ornithopter, which seems to be an insect flapping its wings. It was developed for DARPA by Aerovironment, and can perform ISR missions both outdoors and indoors.

The Pentagon is also moving to reduce consumption of petroleum-based fuels in some ways that may yield little in the way of cost savings, but which nonetheless may be worthwhile by reducing dependency on oil coming from nations unfriendly to the United States.

For example, over the past several years, DoD has experimented successfully with synthetic fuels in military aircraft. Proving that you can teach an old dog new tricks, the Air Force took a B-52 Stratofortress, designed in the 1940s at the start of the Cold War, and found it could run on alternative fuels.

Because the B-52 has eight engines, it was a perfect candidate for the program. At first, only two of those engines were fed the new fuel, made from a 50-50 blend of traditional crude oil-based fuel and a Fischer-Tropsch fuel derived from natural gas, which is plentiful in North America. Meanwhile, the other six engines drank the traditional JP-8 jet fuel. Later, the plane operated with its other engines using the new fuel. Finally, other aircraft were flown using the alternative fuel, such as the C-17 transport produced by Boeing.

A key point is that as petroleum prices rise on world markets, the use of synthetic fuels becomes even more attractive. Energy experts caution that oil-based fuel prices will skyrocket if Iran makes good on a threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which passes about one barrel in every five of oil in the global market. If Iran were to mine the strait, it could take NATO nations days to weeks to reopen the critical shipping lanes. Iran recently test fired missiles at the strait.

Another major DoD fuel user is the Navy, routinely powering massive ships halfway around the globe. Here, a lawmaker sees an opportunity to cut oil-based fuel consumption by switching to building surface ships with nuclear propulsion. Traditionally, only aircraft carriers and submarines have been built with nuclearreactor power, except for one nuclear-powered surface ship produced as a demonstration project.

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said it makes sense for DoD not to rely on fuel produced by nations that may be enemies in a future war.

Another benefit of going to nuclear power would be saving the cost of buying petroleum-based fuel over the life of each destroyer, cruiser or other surface ship. According to Bartlett, “the breakeven-cost for a nuclear fueled cruiser is $60 per barrel oil.” The www.GCT-kmi.com

price of oil exceeded $90 in August 2012, meaning nuclear power would be feasible.

However, even given the long-term fuel-cost savings over the decades-long life of a ship, Bartlett’s argument for nuclear propulsion is a tough sell, because a nuclear reactor can add perhaps $1 billion to the up-front cost of building a ship, depending on the size of the vessel.

Posts, Bases Finally, DoD aims to reduce energy consumed by installations ranging from Army forts to Air Force bases and Navy/Marine Corps ashore facilities.

The DoD Net Zero program aims to have each installation produce as much energy as the installation consumes over a year. For example, partially burned fuel gases in a boiler stack may be able to burn again to produce power. And some of the heat involved in that generation process may be used again, perhaps to heat a building.

Clearly, DoD is finding ways to save huge sums of money by curbing energy use, at a time when funds are going to become increasingly scarce. O For more information, contact GCT Editor Dave Ahearn at davea@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

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U.S. Army missile office has full plate despite program cuts.

By Marc Selinger GCT Correspondent

Patriot upgrades, the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) and the The U.S. Army Program Executive Office (PEO) for Missiles Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative and Space has not been immune to increasing defense budget Warhead (AW). constraints. But despite the demise of some of its weapon system An overarching goal of the PEO is to continue to improve activities, the Redstone Arsenal, Ala.-based PEO still has dozens integration of its air and missile defense systems, including of missile, rocket and missile defense programs to develop, build, Patriot, the Sentinel air defense radar and JLENS, deploy and sustain. to “effectively counter much more stressful threats Over the past two years, several of its major and more robust threats” while reducing the risk of efforts have been axed, including the Surface friendly fire, said Brigadier General Ole Knudson, Launched Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile syswho left the PEO in September 2012 to take a job at tem, which was to replace the aging Stinger air the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. defense system; the Medium Extended Air Defense “An integrated missile system will bring data System, which would have succeeded the Patriot together in a short period of time so that air defendmissile defense system; and the Non-Line-of-Sight ers can deliver on what to shoot and what not to Launch System, a precision-fire missile system. shoot,” Knudson said. “They will have enough fidelMajor programs the PEO is still pursuing ity and enough time to make the decision about include the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Barry Pike what to shoot.”

Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS), 28 | GCT 3.6

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Knudson expects this commitment to integration to continue under his civilian deputy, Barry Pike, who took over as acting PEO head.

“He’s been a great partner in everything that we’ve done,” Knudson said of Pike. “There won’t be a knowledge gap with my transition. There will be great continuity with Barry taking over.”

The PEO declined to say how the potential for more defense budget cuts might affect its programs. Predicting the impact of the federal budget debate would be “pure speculation,” PEO spokesman Dan O’Boyle said.

JLENS The Army is planning and coordinating a combatant commander exercise for JLENS in fiscal year 2013 to evaluate the system’s ability to provide over-the-horizon, 360-degree surveillance. While the location of the system’s first mission had not been announced at press time, prime contractor Raytheon said it has demonstrated that JLENS is ready to go, pointing to the successful tracking of hundreds of targets in tests.

“There are enough data and enough test results to prove it is capable and ready to deploy,” said Randy Buhidar, Raytheon’s JLENS business development manager. “It will provide commanders an operational advantage that they do not have today.”

In June 2012, the first class of Army soldiers completed classroom and simulation training for JLENS, paving the way for them to begin training on actual JLENS hardware, according to Raytheon.

A JLENS system or “orbit” includes two 74-meter aerostats that are elevated at 10,000 feet, tethered to mobile mooring stations on the ground, and designed to provide 24-hour coverage for up to 30 days at a time. One aerostat carries a surveillance radar and the other a fire-control radar.

JLENS, which can see targets more than 340 miles away, is intended mainly to detect and track cruise missiles and low-flying aircraft and share that information with air-, ground- and sea-based interceptors. JLENS can also detect and track ground vehicles, boats, large-caliber rockets and short-range ballistic missiles.

“JLENS tracks a wide range of targets at extremely long ranges, providing commanders minutes to identify and respond to incoming threats instead of the handful of seconds provided by current systems,” said David Gulla, vice president of global integrated sensors for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems.

Patriot The PEO is pursuing a host of Patriot upgrades to increase the system’s capabilities and reliability. Among them are Raytheon’s

Modern Adjunct Processor (MAP), Radar Digital Processor (RDP) and Modern Man Station (MMS) and Lockheed Martin’s Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE).

Bill Blake, business development director for Raytheon Integrated Air and Missile Defense, described MAP as the “brains of the system” and compared it to replacing a 2-gigabyte home computer with one that has 16 gigabytes of memory. The MAP also has plenty of room to accommodate future upgrades to Patriot.

RDP digitizes the radar and removes more than 800 parts in the process, which is expected to increase the mean time between failures by 40 percent, Blake said. MMS replaces green cathode-raytube monitors and hard switches with flat, touch-screen displays for “quick, efficient tactical decisions,” according to Raytheon.

MSE adds larger fins and a more powerful motor to the PAC-3 interceptor, increasing the missile’s agility and range and closing a gap between the highest reaches of Patriot and the lowest reaches of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (THAAD). The PAC-3 MSE has been integrated and flight-tested with Patriot, and Lockheed Martin announced in July 2012 that it has received a contract to prepare the PAC-3 Missile production line for introduction of MSE. A formal decision to begin low-rate production is expected in the fall of 2013, said Richard McDaniel, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of PAC-3 Missile programs.

Although MSE is currently slated only for new-production PAC-3 interceptors, Lockheed Martin is exploring the possibility of eventually upgrading existing PAC-3s to the MSE configuration, McDaniel said.

“The opportunity to retrofit is certainly there,” he said. “There’s nothing that’s unfeasible about that.”

The older PAC-2 interceptor is also being modernized.

Raytheon has been upgrading it to the Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) configuration to improve the missile’s performance and reliability and extend its service life.

Patriot work does not end there. The program has demonstrated integrated operations with the Aegis Weapon System, JLENS and THAAD. In an April 2012 test at the Utah Test and Training Range for example, JLENS and Patriot demonstrated the ability to work together to detect, track and shoot down a cruise missile, according to Raytheon. Such integration gives commanders a better view of the battlespace and more time for decision-making, Blake said.

The various Patriot improvements under way will help keep the Army’s 60 Patriot fire units ready for combat for decades to come, Blake added.

“The Army is very well-equipped” with Patriot, he said. “The Army refers to Patriot as a high-demand, low-volume weapon system, meaning combatant commanders in various hotspots around the world are asking for it all the time.”

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GCT 3.6 | 29

A Patriot launcher is poised for action. [Photo courtesy of Raytheon]

JAGM

GMLRS

The PEO continues to develop the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) to destroy armored and soft-skinned vehicles, bunkers, urban structures and other ground targets, but it has scaled back its ambitions due to budget constraints. A missile with a dual-mode seeker—an all-weather, millimeter-wave radar and a precision-strike semi-active laser—is now the PEO’s focus.

Original plans for a tri-mode seeker, including a camera-like imaging infrared sensor, have been put off for the time being.

Lockheed Martin and a Raytheon-Boeing team are developing different versions of the new missile. Raytheon believes it can still deliver a tri-mode seeker within the Army’s budget by drawing on the work it has done for the Air Force’s tri-mode Small Diameter Bomb II (SDB II).

“We’re very confident the tri-mode for SDB II will satisfy the Army’s needs, and the Army gets to leverage the SDB II development” that the Air Force already paid for, said J.R. Smith, Raytheon’s JAGM business development manager. “That’s a pretty compelling affordability story in our book.”

Lockheed Martin, whose seeker will draw on two fielded missiles—the semi-active laser Hellfire and the millimeter-wave Longbow—said its dual-mode approach would meet seven of the original JAGM’s eight capability requirements and partially meet the eighth.

The design would leave the option to add a third mode later.

“We are fulfilling what the customer is asking for,” said Ken Musculus, Lockheed Martin’s close-combat systems director. “The dual mode pretty much gives the customer the best bang for the buck for what they’re looking for.”

Lockheed Martin announced in August 2012 that it received a contract to continue JAGM technology development for 27 months.

At press time, Raytheon was negotiating a similar contract with the Army.

Both designs are expected to undergo flight testing in 2014. It is unclear what the PEO will do after that, including whether it will pick one or both versions for further development and production.

The PEO is pursuing a new warhead for GMLRS to destroy what it calls “area and imprecisely located targets,” including materiel, personnel and mission-command positions. The GMLRS Alternative Warhead, which has an “enhanced fragmentation warhead,” will replace the Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition rocket, whose cluster-munition warhead has raised concerns about the danger of unexploded ordnance to civilians.

In March 2012, Lockheed Martin received a three-year, $79-million development contract to incorporate the ATK-built Alternative Warhead into new-build GMLRS rockets.

“Most of what we are currently doing is helping ATK get on line and conducting test activities to fully qualify the rocket,” said Wayne Wilson, Lockheed Martin’s GMLRS program director.

“They have a demonstrator and we need to make it more producible” so it can move smoothly through the GMLRS production line in Camden, Ark. Flight testing of GMLRS AW is scheduled to begin in early 2013, and a low-rate production decision is slated for 2015.

Meanwhile, production of the existing GMLRS Unitary, the Army’s primary guided rocket, will continue in Camden. Lockheed Martin received its seventh full-rate production contract for GMLRS Unitary in June 2012 and is working on a contract for an eighth full-rate buy. The company has delivered more than 20,000 Unitary rockets to the Army; more than 2,300 of those have been fired by the Army, Marines and British forces in coalition operations. The rocket is designed for hard, stationary targets, as well as soft area targets for which collateral damage would be a concern. O

30 | GCT 3.6

For more information, contact GCT Editor Dave Ahearn at davea@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

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Programs develop better vehicles for both current and future wars.

By William Murray GCT Correspondent

Whether the U.S. commits a significant number of group combat troops to the next military engagement overseas, has a significant sustainment mission or executes its mission with a small-sized force, chances are the Program Executive Office, Combat Service & Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS) and its programs will play a key role.

PEO CS&CSS is responsible for developing, producing, fielding and sustaining tactical vehicle systems and force projection equipment that supports and safeguards the forces.

The Army and Department of Defense procure a wide range of mission-critical systems—from kitchens, tents, construction equipment, tools and petroleum systems all the way to Army watercraft, tactical vehicles and MRAPS—through PEO CS&CSS, headed by PEO Kevin Fahey.

Perhaps more importantly, Fahey’s programs will determine the next generation of Army trucks and light tactical vehicles.

“If you’re looking at tactical vehicles, they are a significant part [of defense operations] anywhere people go,” Fahey said. In other words, any shift away from conventional warfare doesn’t negate www.GCT-kmi.com

the importance of PEO CS&CSS, Fahey explained.

A member of the senior executive service since 2000, Fahey became PEO CS&CSS in October 2008. His organization is co-located with TACOM Life Cycle Management Command in Warren, Mich.

PEO CS&CSS is subordinate to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. After studying industrial engineering and operations research as an undergraduate at the University of Massachussetts, Fahey began his civil service career in 1981.

He formerly served as PEO for Ground Combat Systems, which included the heavy brigade combat platforms Abrams, M113 and Bradley fighting vehicles, along with the Stryker brigade combat team and the Joint Lightweight Howitzer Systems.

In his GSC capacity, his annual budget increased from $5 billion in 2005 to $11 billion in 2007, as the United States ramped up two full-scale conventional wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2007, Army officials selected Fahey to lead the Army’s Mine Resistant Ambush Protected program, as casualties from roadside bombings in Iraq grew. Fahey responded to the challenge by delivering more than 9,000 MRAP vehicles to

Afghanistan and Iraq during a time of increased improvised explosive device attacks by insurgents, which had put U.S. and coalition troops in increased danger.

Ultimately, the Army and Marine Corps would field 27,000 MRAPs in Afghanistan and Iraq.

At PEO CS&CSS, Fahey oversees the life cycle management of more than 350 systems, “everything from toilets to tugboats,” he said. Recent capabilities portfolio reviews conducted by General Lloyd J. Austin, III, vice chief of staff of the Army, have helped focus portfolio requirements and capability gaps to improve fleet management. Fahey oversees an annual PEO CS&CSS budget of more than $10 billion.

Within PEO CS&CSS, there are four program managers: force protection, JLTV, MRAP and transportation systems.

Each of these program managers oversees several product managers. On October 1, PEO CS&CSS will add a fifth program manager: mobile electric power, coming from Army PEO Command Control Communications-Tactical. Product manager heavy tactical vehicles and product manager medium tactical vehicles, meanwhile, fall under program manager transportation systems.

GCT 3.6 | 31

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle One of Fahey’s flagship programs, the joint light tactical vehicle, is the successor to the high mobility multi-wheeled vehicle (HMMWV), in use since the 1980s. It seeks to find a balance between protection, weight and cost. The acting Army JLTV program manager is Lieutenant Colonel Shane Fullmer, while Lieutenant Colonel Mike Burks is the Marine Corps’ project manager for JLTV. These off-road vehicles can accommodate soldiers and other military personnel, in addition to weapons, other people and communications gear.

A heavy equipment transporter maneuvers in Kuwait. [Photo courtesy of DoD] The JLTV program was in imminent danger on Capitol Hill in contracts. The teams have just under late 2011 but survived with reduced funda year to produce vehicles, followed ing, although the program is challenged by a year or so of government testing. by the decision that JLTV should have the “I’m excited by what I saw” from the same level of undercarriage protection as three teams, Fahey said, having recently an MRAP, which could lead to increased attended the AM General kickoff meetcosts. ing. “I feel really confident” that the EMD PEO CS&CSS officials, working with teams can deliver on time and on budget, the JLTV program office, are trying to Fahey said. With JLTV, the payload of each better analyze the performance of JLTV vehicle is a key consideration, Fahey said. and the cost of the vehicles during the JLTV is intended to be more maneuver$185 million engineering, manufacturable than an MRAP with greater payload ing, development (EMD) phase of the flexibility than the HMMWV—particularly program, according to Fahey. The JLTV in challenging environments. program is one of the Army’s top acquisition priorities. The JLTV prototypes will be lighter than MRAP trucks, and greater MRAP All-Terrain Vehicle fuel efficiency for the JLTV is a key goal— a goal that lighter vehicle weight helps Product Manager MRAP All-Terrain make attainable.

Vehicle oversees the M-ATV program, part With JLTV, Army and Marine Corps of the Army’s MRAP portfolio. Product officials are seeking to combine the offManager Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Geisroad mobility of an unarmored HMMWV bert heads this program. with the protection against mines and MRAPs take up much of Fahey’s time, roadside bombs that MRAP trucks offer. and effective October 1, PEO CS&CSS will “What are the requirements that are take lead responsibility as Joint Program affordable?” is a key consideration for Executive Officer for MRAP, transitioning JLTV, Fahey said in an interview with from USMC Brigadier General Frank KelGround Combat Technology. ley, commander of Marine Corps Systems From the 2008 award of the 27-month, Command. “We’re always improving” the $45 million technology demonstration performance and capabilities of MRAPs, contracts that preceded the EMD phase, Fahey said. Some defense observers caucandidate teams had less than a year to tion that there are thousands more MRAPs produce prototype JLTVs. than the military’s mission requires, and Now, in the next portion of the JLTV that the machines are too bulky for future program, AM General LLC, Lockheed mission requirements and too costly to Martin and Oshkosh Defense are the maintain, with some estimates ranging three competing vendors that won EMD from $10,000-$20,000 a year per MRAP. 32 | GCT 3.6

Responding to a question about the Army acquiring MRAPs from multiple vendors, Fahey said that it was the right approach, considering the urgent needs for mine-resistant vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq, even though purchasing from six vendors led to logistics challenges.

The number one priority with MRAPs, according to Fahey, was the ability to field the basic qualification as soon as possible.

“With many programs [that acquisition approach would] not be the right thing to do,” because of the resulting logistics difficulties, Fahey said.

With the upgraded MRAPs that PEO CS&CSS is purchasing, Fahey and his colleagues are looking for strong threshold survivability, since adversaries can plant bombs and IEDs that impact the undercarriage of an MRAP. One of the currently-fielded MRAPs’ benefits is that the V-shaped hull helps to deflect the forces of blasts away from the vehicle, which minimizes casualties.

Energy Efficiency Needs In addition, Fahey and his colleagues are working to better use operational energy sources on bases and during deployments. Generators on vehicles could hold some promise, and microgrids on military bases could increase energy efficiency exponentially.

Renewable energy and cost savings through using more energy efficient practices is a great concern of Fahey’s. “How www.GCT-kmi.com

do you get more power out of the energy” that already exists, is one challenge, he said. Program Executive Officer Soldier bears the responsibility of ensuring that increased and more efficient sources of battery life benefit the deployed soldier.

Budget Sequestration Fahey also was asked about looming sequestration defense budget cuts that will occur in three months unless Congress passes legislation to avert them.

Budget sequestration in January “would be devastating to us,” Fahey said, “because of the way it would be implemented.”

“We are preparing for a budget decline,” he said, anticipated in the Program Objective Memorandum, since the Iraq War has ended and the Afghanistan War is winding down. Nonetheless, PEO CS&CSS has to provide sufficient levels of support to its portfolio and plan for retrograde repairs to equipment after deployments.

The Budget Control Act passed last year would trigger $500 billion of acrossthe-board sequestration defense spending cuts over the next decade, in addition to $487 billion in cuts already programmed, unless Congress identifies equivalent savings by January. The need for the White House and Congress to compromise during the lame duck session following the November elections seems very urgent.

“The Army is well-postured to manage the future,” Fahey said. Good fleet management will be important in the transition from overseas contingency operations to the future, prioritizing portfolios over time to meet the next conflict, he noted.

Despite the obvious budgetary worries, “Our continued focus is on the warfighter,” and this priority will guide budgetary decisions, he said.

Fahey, who oversees a workforce of more than 1,100 personnel, paid tribute to military and civilian personnel at PEO CS&CSS, whom he said continue to work hard—at a pace they’ve maintained for 10 years and are likely to continue—despite the obstacles they encounter. “We’re still running a marathon,” Fahey said.

Medium and Heavy Tactical Vehicles Oshkosh Defense recently delivered its 10,000th vehicle in the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). According to www.GCT-kmi.com

A HMMWV rolls off a C-17 at Bagram Airfield. [Photo courtesy of DoD]

PEO CS&CSS, their FMTV vehicles met or exceeded reliability requirements with no increase in cost. Army and Oshkosh officials are already discussing the next generation truck.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Shuler is product manager for Heavy Tactical Vehicles (HTV)—a series of different heavy vehicles that haul heavy payloads through challenging terrain and difficult circumstances with vehicles provided

by Oshkosh Defense and other contractors through September 2014. Army officials relied extensively on field testing in Afghanistan and Iraq before determining their requirements under the HTV procurement.

Army Colonel David Bassett, deputy PEO CS&CSS, cited HTV’s focus on “a whole new generation of trucks” that are armor capable so they can provide

exceptional protection to U.S. and allied military personnel and equipment.

Across the diverse CS&CSS portfolio, program management officials have to divide their time between working with Army and Pentagon officials on budgeting, collaborating with field Army units on their operational requirements, and overseeing the work of contractors, once they’ve been selected to do the work. With more than 350 systems, it is no small challenge, but through it all, “our number one priority remains supporting the warfighter,” Basset said. O

For more information, contact GCT Editor Dave Ahearn at davea@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

GCT 3.6 | 33

The versatile vehicle: PEO GCS seeks survivability, speed and more.

The U.S. Army’s ground vehicles have long experience in battle.

But the same experience has exposed capability gaps that the Army seeks to bridge when it deploys vehicles to future conflicts.

Today’s fleet was not designed to counter some current threats, most notably the improvised explosive device. The Bradley and Stryker have received modifications to make them more survivable, but at the expense of mobility, among other combat requirements.

The MRAP was deployed to protect warfighters from the worst effects of IEDs, but cannot fill a fighting role.

The Army’s current posture is to deploy a variety of vehicles, such as the Bradley, Stryker, M113 and several MRAP and HMMWV variants, to provide capabilities for the gamut of military missions.

The shortfall to this approach is the lack of adaptability of any given vehicle to the spectrum of environments. In addition, these vehicles are exhausting the limits of the upgrades and modifications that can be made within the constraints of size, weight, power and cooling (SWaP-C).

Enter the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the first increment of the Army’s next-generation ground combat vehicle (GCV). The IFV will be designed to provide a nine-soldier infantry squad the protection of an MRAP, the mobility of a Bradley, and the operational flexibility of the Stryker.

At this point a competition is ongoing for the vehicle’s technology development phase, with BAE Systems and General Dynamics Land Systems working on their respective solutions.

“Current fighting vehicles have reached or exceeded the limits of their SWaP-C design margins and face technology obsolescence and upgrade and integration challenges,” said the GCV program manager. “This situation has created capability gaps, impacted warfighter operational effectiveness and systems reliability, and limited or eliminated the ability to integrate and carry additional mission equipment packages or theater-provided equipment to defeat or counter emerging threats.”

The IFV is being designed to provide the combat capability to rapidly deploy an overmatching infantry force anywhere on the battlefield by leveraging situational awareness and soldier protection.

“The IFV provides the full, nine-soldier infantry squad with a highly 34 | GCT 3.6

By Peter Buxbaum, GCT Correspondent

mobile, protected, transport to decisive locations on the battlefield and provides both destructive fires against armored vehicles threats and direct fire support for the squad during dismounted assaults,” said the PM. “The IFV also increases the infantry’s tactical mobility, survivability and lethality against light and heavy armored threats.”

The technology development stage is focused on generating the right set of requirements for the IFV. “Technology development phases are designed to allow a program time to revise, refine and, ultimately, finalize requirements while contractors discern and address engineering challenges while the vehicle’s design matures,” noted the PM. “A set of validated, fixed requirements comes with the program’s next phase, Milestone B.” The Army, together with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics), developed a threepronged acquisition strategy to ensure that properly defined requirements for the IFV will emerge. The strategy uses contractordeveloped designs, technical and operational studies of existing vehicle platforms, and analysis of existing alternatives to assess GCV requirements against cost and schedule.

“As the Army approaches Milestone B, the assessments of technical achievability, existing vehicle platforms, refined cost estimates and potential affordability adjustments will significantly inform potential changes to requirements,” said the PM. “An update to the analysis of alternatives, informed by contractor design work, will be ongoing during the technology development phase. This prong will enable the Army to make informed, timely requirements trades. The Army will conduct a technical and operational analysis of existing non-developmental vehicles. The effort from this prong will validate existing capabilities against the ground combat vehicle requirements and further inform potential design trade-offs.”

The Army’s goal is to field the IFV within seven years of the technology development contract award. The strategy is proceeding on schedule, according to the PM. O For more information, contact GCT Editor Dave Ahearn at davea@kmimediagroup.com or search our online archives for related stories at www.gct-kmi.com.

www.GCT-kmi.com

The advertisers index is provided as a service to our readers. KMI cannot be held responsible for discrepancies due to last-minute changes or alterations.

GCT RESOURCE CENTER Advertisers Index Amerex Defense..................................................................................... 20 www.amerex-defense.com American Innovations........................................................................... 35 www.americaninnovations.com Ball Aerospace......................................................................................... 5 www.ballaerospace.com Beretta Defense Technologies................................................................ C2 www.berettadefensetechnologies.com FreeWave Technologies.......................................................................... 24 www.freewave.com/governmentanddefense.aspx Leupold & Stevens................................................................................. C3 www.leupold.com Magpul.................................................................................................. 25 www.magpul.com Master Pull............................................................................................ C4 www.mpmilitary.com Michelin.................................................................................................. 3 www.michelin.com Panasonic............................................................................................... 7 www.panasonic.com/business-solutions Plasan................................................................................................... 29 www.plasansasa.com Precision Remotes................................................................................. 13 www.precisionremotes.com TEA Headsets......................................................................................... 23 www.teaheadsets.com TSSi....................................................................................................... 27 www.tssi-ops.com

Calendar October 22-24, 2012 AUSA Annual Meeting Washington, D.C. www.ausa.org November 13-15, 2012 Next Generation of Light Armored Vehicles Summit Washington, D.C. www.lightarmoredvehiclessummit.com January 15-18, 2013 Shot Show Las Vegas, Nev. www.shotshow.org

February 3-5, 2013 Tactical Wheeled Vehicles Conference Monterey, Calif. www.ndia.org/meetings/3530 February 20-22, 2013 AUSA Winter Fort Lauderdale, Fla. www.ausa.org April 10-11, 2013 Marine South Camp Lejeune, N.C. www.marinemilitaryexpos.com

NEXTISSUE

December 2012 Volume 3, Issue 7

Cover and In-Depth Interview with:

Lieutenant General Keith C. Walker Director Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) SPECIAL SECTION Optics and Weapons Accessories Let us show you the latest in optics and weapons accessories, the assets that increase warfighters’ accuracy and lethality on the battlefield and increase their chances of survival against a cunning enemy.

Hand Guns In side arms, the tried and true, such as the M9, have been around for decades. Is it time to try a new pistol with greater stopping power than the 9 mm possesses, or at least to try advanced ammunition?

Sniper Rifles Snipers have been in the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War, with ever greater ability to take down the enemy at long range. Now, we look at the state of the art in this challenging form of war.

Carbines The military relies on the M4 carbine, but it has its critics. So the question becomes: Would it be better to upgrade the M4 if a markedly better weapon isn’t found, or should the Army obtain a new carbine?

BOnus Distribution Shot Show *

Insertion Order Deadline November 9, 2012 • Ad Materials Deadline November 16, 2012

www.GCT-kmi.com

GCT 3.6 | 35

INDUSTRY INTERVIEW

Ground Combat Technology

Chris Estadt Director Military Business Development Leupold Q: Can you describe Leupold’s profile and history?

Q: What are Leupold’s primary products?

A: Leupold & Stevens Inc. is a fifthgeneration, family-owned company that employs over 700 Oregon-based employees. The company’s creation of a dedicated, Tactical Optics Division has driven a new level of innovation in military small arms precision sighting. The recent launch of next-generation optics for the sniper, designated marksman, service rifle and crewserved weapons are now in service on the battlefield.

A: Our core competency is long-range sniper optics. We have been very successful in taking the technologies that make us successful in that arena and applying them to mid- and short-range applications, also. Our tactical spotter is standard issue to both U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps sniper teams. Our binoculars are in service with the Marines.

Finally, our handheld range finders have been popular personal purchase items for units deploying overseas. We are continuing to funnel significant R&D resources into the next generation of optics.

Q: Please tell us about your background and how you fit into the Leupold Tactical Optics business.

A: I graduated from the Citadel and served with the Army for five years as an infantry officer with the 82nd Airborne. My service fueled my passion for the shooting industry. My position at Leupold allows me to focus that passion on supporting our warfighters. In fact, our entire team shares that passion. It is very rewarding to drive an idea from the field into a finished product.

Q: What’s unique about your research and development for military products?

A: The tactical team has its own dedicated design engineers. Moreover, our Portland facility possesses the full range of engineering design, prototyping and testing resources on site. This includes what may be the leading optical lab in the global riflescope business. These engineers interact directly with our military customers on a consistent basis. They are able to incorporate user feedback into our products very quickly.

Q: Can you describe the product line focusing on the needs of the special warrior?

A: The extended ranges encountered in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have 36 | GCT 3.6

really driven the need for cutting-edge optics. The demanding physical environment there also puts significant stresses on equipment. We have been working very closely with the military to design scopes to meet these requirements. In the past few years, we have launched products to meet the needs of both sniper and rifleman alike to include our new Mark 6 3-18x and 1-6x. The Leupold Mark 4 XM2010 was adopted by the U.S. Army, which has chosen the XM2010, and the USMC equipped themselves with the Mark 8 1.1-8x for use with M2 heavy machine guns and MK19 grenade machine guns.

Q: How do customers benefit from Leupold’s varied resources and expertise?

A: Dedicated employees, sophisticated design and manufacturing infrastructure, and cutting-edge technology allow us to deliver what the customer needs, when they need it. We are continually working hard to improve our capabilities, responsiveness and support. It is interesting to note that our employees on the manufacturing floor really take pride in their work. The average tenure for employees is over 10 years and the manufacturing leadership averages more than 20 years of experience with Leupold. It is common to see several generations from the same family working side-by-side.

Q: What makes these scopes stand out?

Why are they different or the best in the market?

A: Nobody in the business runs their products through a more rigorous testing protocol than we do. More importantly, we have the engineering and manufacturing resources on site to make improvements to our products. In the rare cases where there are problems in the field, we have a very responsive repair and refurbishment capability here on site.

Q: Final thoughts?

A: Leupold & Stevens has a long heritage of quality scope design and manufacturing. When we established the Tactical Optics Division, it allowed us to focus those capabilities on the unique needs of our warfighters and law enforcement professionals. This is a commitment that, as an organization, we do not take lightly.

As the director of military business development, I am looking forward to working closely with our customers in the field, driving our business forward, and building the relationships with our industry partners that will allow us to continue delivering cutting-edge technologies and products. O www.GCT-kmi.com

For our Freedom

over a century oF experience and a liFetime oF u.s. based liFe cycle support. leupold tactical optics: designed, machined and assembled in the u.s.a.

TACTICALOPTICS@LEUPOLD.COM | www.LEUPOLD.COM | POrTLAnD, OrEgOn, U.S.A. MODErn DAy MArInE #1535 | AUSA AnnUAL COnfErEnCE #3803