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HMMWV Recapitalization O Soldier Gear Network Integration Evaluation O Axles & Suspensions
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Cover / Q&A HMMWV Recapitalization While the military and defense contractors can design more advanced vehicles, it is clear that safer, better transportation can be provided to troops faster and cheaper by recapitalizing existing HMMWVs. Check out these better rides for warfighters. By Dave Ahearn
5
Axles and Suspensions A key factor in revamping military vehicles burdened by tons of add-on armor lies in axles and suspensions that can carry that load with agility and ease. These are some of the systems ushering in a new era for troop transport. By Christian Bourge
7
Soldier Gear Soldiers are moving to the day they will wield weapons, communications and other gear that will be lighter, easier to use and far more capable. We preview the fighting force of the future. By Henry Canaday
16 Brigadier General Michael E. Williamson Joint Program Executive Officer JTRS
10 Network Integration Evaluation Systems can be wonderful as concepts or during development, but their worth is proven when real warfighters actually attempt to use them. That’s what will occur on judgment day this fall, otherwise known as Network Integration Evaluation 13.1. We examine some candidate systems. By Henry Canaday
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Departments 2 Editor's Perspective 3 Intel 4 People 14 Innovations
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27 Calendar, Directory
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Major General Dana J.H. Pittard Commander 1st Armored Division
22
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28 Bruce R. DeWitt Vice President and General Manager ATK Armament Systems Division
Ground Combat Technology
Volume 3, Issue 2
EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE
April 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 Copy Editor Laural Hobbes lauralh@kmimediagroup.com Correspondents Adam Baddeley • Christian Bourge • Peter Buxbaum Henry Canaday • Matthew Cox • Phillip Gentry Leslie Shaver Art & Design Art Director Jennifer Owers jennifero@kmimediagroup.com Senior Graphic Designer Jittima Saiwongnuan jittimas@kmimediagroup.com Graphic Designers Amanda Kirsch amandak@kmimediagroup.com Scott Morris scottm@kmimediagroup.com Kailey Waring kaileyw@kmimediagroup.com Advertising Account Executive Jason Perkins jasonp@kmimediagroup.com
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It is said that insanity involves doing the same thing repeatedly and each time expecting a different result. Here’s a case in point: Ground combat systems are being slashed as wars wind down in Afghanistan and Iraq, such as the announced cancellation of the HMMWV recapitalization program to produce the Modernized Expanded Capability Vehicle that would offer greatly improved protection for warfighters. Further, the Ground Combat Vehicle program is taking a $1.7 billion hit, delaying its appearance on battlegrounds by a year. Ground combat also will be weakened as nearly one in six soldiers is tossed into the unemployment Dave Ahearn Editor line. And many other cuts will affect warriors greatly. This is a replay of the end of the Cold War, when deep defense cuts led to a hollowed-out military. Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) readiness subcommittee, is worried. How can huge cuts—$478 billion to $1 trillion—be chopped out of military programs over the next 10 years when the Department of Defense already is facing serious problems, Forbes asked. He noted that before any cuts have time to take effect, many military aircraft and ships are sidelined, unable to perform missions. Forbes and Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., the HASC chairman, say huge spending cuts will weaken the capability of the United States to defend itself, just as China rises militarily. And the cuts also will weaken the economy and kill thousands of top-paying defense industry jobs when unemployment already exceeds 8 percent. Forbes noted U.S. defense spending is about 5 percent of national economic output, near a historic post-World War II low. Finally, consider that defense and space programs produce the cutting-edge technology that leads to new products benefiting the public. From commercial airliners to cell phones, from lights that turn on automatically to computers, much that people around the world use in their daily lives wouldn’t exist without U.S. military and space investments. But harmful defense cuts are on the way nonetheless, despite the lessons of history. It is, as Yogi Berra said, déjà vu all over again.
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INTEL
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
MRAPs to Gain Improved Suspensions
Army to Obtain Upgrades for Abrams The U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command awarded General Dynamics Land Systems $60 million under an existing contract to continue upgrading M1A1 tanks to the M1A2 Systems Enhancement Package (SEP) V2 configuration. The most technologically advanced digital tank, the M1A2 SEP V2 includes improved color displays, day and night thermal sights, commander remote operated weapon station (CROWS II), a thermal management system and a tank-infantry phone. The M1A2 SEP V2 maximizes the fighting ability of the tank on today’s battlefield while preparing the platform for tomorrow’s challenges. The original order was made under a multi-year contract awarded in February 2008, which authorized the upgrade of 435 M1A1 tanks that have been in the Army’s inventory for more than 20 years. General Dynamics is continuing the conversion of the tanks in the Army’s active component to the M1A2 SEP V2 configuration. Work is expected to be completed by June 2013 and will be performed by existing employees in Anniston, Ala.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Sterling Heights, Mich.; Lima, Ohio; and Scranton, Pa.
Hendrickson, a Boler Company, and AxleTech International, a General Dynamics company, have been awarded a contract from Navistar Defense to equip 2,717 International MaxxPro Long Wheel Base (LWB) mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles with independent suspension systems. This order continues the team’s work to enhance the capability of the entire MaxxPro fleet, which recently included procurement of new MaxxPro Dash vehicles and the MaxxPro Dash ambulance variant. Hendrickson’s integrated independent suspension system for the MaxxPro LWB MRAP program incorporates Hendrickson’s advanced engineered sub-frames, sway-bars, coil springs and shocks with AxleTech’s 5000 Series independent suspension axle system. This state-of-the-art system delivers improved mobility in rough terrain, better control and greater wheel
travel to improve driver efficiency at higher offroad speeds. As the Tier 1 supplier, Hendrickson will supply the completed suspension systems to Navistar for installation on the MRAP vehicles, which will ultimately be delivered to the U.S. Army. Production work for the MaxxPro upgrades is conducted at Hendrickson’s Kendallville, Ind., facility, which has a workforce of approximately 215 employees, and AxleTech’s Oshkosh, Wis., facility, which has a workforce of approximately 200 employees. Deliveries began in January 2012 and will be completed in October 2013. Separately, Navistar Defense announced that it received a $134 million delivery order for field service representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command. The order renews the company’s in-theater FSR service contract to support International MaxxPro MRAPs. “I’m proud to say that Navistar will not sell a truck if we can’t support it in theater,” said Archie Massicotte, president, Navistar Defense. “Sustainment of our vehicles is key—especially when vehicle life cycles may run between 15 to w20 years. With our fleet of vehicles now growing beyond 32,000 trucks, fleet support will continue to be a critical piece of our business.” The company currently has more than 600 FSRs in theater and working domestically to support the MaxxPro family of vehicles. Work conducted under the renewed contract will run through December.
Army Procures Modernized Laser Range Finder Designators Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded a $7.8 million firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The award will provide for procurement of Modernized Laser Range Finder Designator Lot 1 kits and associated spares. Work will be performed in Orlando with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2014. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., manages the contract.
Army to Obtain Head Mounted Displays BAE Systems has received a $21.7 million indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity order for head mounted displays (HMDs) from the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Soldier. The HMD, also known by its company product name Remote Eyepiece Display Imager, or RED-I, is compatible with military night sensors such as thermal weapon sights, and can support a variety of mission requirements by providing the user
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with an easy configurable private viewing display that can mount to eyeglass frames or fit under visors. “The unique capabilities of our HMD, coupled with a thermal imager, significantly enhance the warfighter’s operational effectiveness,” said Vadim Plotsker, president of BAE Systems OASYS LLC, where the HMD is built. “Our HMD is one of the smallest and most versatile remote display
imagers available on the market today. It’s lightweight, low-power, and has a patented design that allows simultaneous see-through viewing with a forgiving eye-box.” More than 3,000 RED-I devices have been fielded to date. BAE Systems OASYS has the largest quantity contract ever awarded by the Army for this type of device, which supports a variety of missions, night vision sensors and weapon systems.
GCT 3.2 | 3
INTEL
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Advanced Survivability Seats Obtained for Bradleys BAE Systems has received a $10.8 million award from SSI Technology to provide advanced survivability seats for Bradley fighting vehicles used by the U.S. Army. The specially designed seats—called Survivor Post Mount 1000 and Survivor Modular Troop 3000—include an energy-absorbing technology to protect soldiers and other warfighters. “This technology helps decrease the potential for spinal injuries that may result from the
shock of a blast,” said Frank Crispino, director of vehicle protection programs at BAE Systems Support Solutions. “The seat and restraint system are integral components of the overall vehicle survivability capability to protect occupants from blasts and other threats.” The order builds upon BAE Systems’ strong history of performance, as the company has provided more than 1,900 Bradley seats since 2009. The latest upgrades are in association
with the Bradley Advanced Survivability SeatsDriver program and will be applied to a portion of the Army’s Bradley Urban Survivability Kit program. The work will be performed at BAE Systems’ facility in Phoenix, Ariz., with deliveries beginning in May and concluding in June 2013. There are approximately 450 employees in Phoenix, where the company has been providing occupant safety products for more than 30 years.
JLTV Proposals Under Evaluation; Downselect May Be in June Military procurement experts are sifting through huge proposal documents submitted by six contractors hoping to build the next workhorse transport for ground warfighters, the joint light tactical vehicle ( JLTV). Soon, a downselect is expected to announce up to three firms that will be awarded JLTV engineering, manufacturing and development phase contracts. The contest has attracted the A-list of combat vehicle makers:
• AM General. The maker of 160,000 HMMWVs submitted a bid on its own, proposing the blast-resistant vehicle—off road (BRV-O). AM General also is involved in another joint proposal with General Dynamics. • BAE Systems. This military vehicles provider (it makes the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and others) is offering the Valanx, powered by a Ford engine. Also, a unit of BAE Systems is part of the rival Lockheed Martin team.
• General Tactical Vehicles, the AM General-General Dynamics joint venture, is proposing the Eagle for the JLTV solution. • Lockheed Martin. The Lockheed team includes the tactical wheeled vehicles unit at BAE Systems in Sealy, Texas. • Navistar. The Saratoga is a vehicle by the Navistar unit International. • Oshkosh. The light combat tactical all-terrain vehicle (L-ATV) is the Oshkosh entry in the fight.
PEOPLE
Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Doctrine Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Halverson is currently serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Fort Sill, Okla.
Maj. Gen. David D. Halverson
Major General David D. Halverson has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as deputy commanding general/chief of staff, U.S. Army Training and
4 | GCT 3.2
Lieutenant General Thomas D. Waldhauser has been nominated for reappointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and for assignment as senior military assistant to the secretary of defense. Waldhauser is currently serving as commanding general,
I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif./commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Army Brigadier General Robert M. Dyess Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Dyess is currently serving as director, Requirements Integration Directorate, Army Capabilities Integration Center, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, Va.
Army Brigadier General Michael H. Shields has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Shields currently is serving as deputy director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, Arlington, Va. Thomas “TK” Kreidler is now vice president of worldwide product sales for General Dynamics C4 Systems, overseeing radio, encryption, rugged
computing and networking products, a new position reporting directly to Chris Marzilli, president. Esterline Corp. hired 25-year aerospace industry veteran James Brandt to head Esterline’s Defense Technologies business platform, which includes six manufacturing facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Brandt previously served in a variety of leadership roles with Lockheed Martin and other firms.
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Modernized expanded capacity vehicle protects warfighters. By Dave Ahearn GCT Editor The venerable HMMWV isn’t the largest vehicle in the U.S. military inventory, but it has impressive numbers: tens of thousands of vehicles, of which perhaps 50,000 to 60,000 are of sufficiently advanced design that they are candidates for recapitalization. While the military and defense contractors can design more advanced vehicles, it is clear that safer, better transportation can be provided to troops faster and cheaper by recapitalizing HMMWVs, versus designing and developing an entirely new vehicle. And with an ongoing war in Afghanistan continuing to cost lives of warfighters, speeding safer vehicles into theater is critical. www.GCT-kmi.com
However, this program may be killed in congressional budget-cutting moves. The Pentagon proposes eliminating the program. We examine some of the competing proposals for creating a better ride for warfighters in the Modernized Expanded Capacity Vehicle (MECV) program. AM General: This South Bend, Ind.-based company made those HMMWVs starting in the 1980s, and wants a shot at upgrading them to 21st-century standards. To that end, AM General is offering two proposed versions for the HMMWV MECV effort, providing program leaders with a choice. One is the AM General Hardwire, a joint effort of AM General and Hardwire LLC, which
confers on the relatively lightweight HMMWV the capability of absorbing a stunningly hard hit, a strength more typically associated with an MRAP or an MRAP all-terrain vehicle. This MECV vehicle features a structural blast chimney, which funnels the blast of an IED up a chimney of sorts that rises up through the passenger cabin. This advancement would be coupled with features such as blast-resistant seats and crush zone floors to more fully protect occupants from IED blasts. Such explosions are the leading cause of U.S. and allied casualties in Afghanistan. AM General also is offering the AM General-Plasan Survivability Solution vehicle for the MECV program. GCT  3.2 | 5
As Chris Vanslager, AM General executive director of program management explained, the company wanted to offer multiple solutions to the military, rather than a onesize-fits-all approach. With both of the vehicles that AM General is offering, increases in survivability that better protect warfighters from enemy munitions are mated to corresponding gains in engine capability, transmissions and suspensions, Vanslager noted. During the wars, as IEDs became more powerful and more heavy armor was added to HMMWVs, they suffered degraded vehicle performance, suspension difficulties, axle problems and more. In either vehicle, fire suppression systems also ensure that warfighters riding in them won’t be burned by flames erupting after an IED blast. BAE Systems: For the MECV program, BAE Systems is offering the Integrated Smart-V, a dramatically upgraded vehicle in terms of protection, according to Adnan Hiros, program director for light tactical vehicles at BAE Systems. In a recent live fire test on the Smart V conducted at the end of 2011, “we had really excellent results,” Hiros emphasized. Those tests proved the worth of earlier simulation tests on the vehicle, he added. The tests “confirmed that we can reach MRAP levels of protection in this size of a vehicle. I think that’s very powerful” as a testament to the success of the Smart V design effort. It also uses many components from existing HMMWVs and thereby keeps costs relatively low, Hiros said. The Smart V is designed with a V-shaped hull to deflect an IED blast, and also is designed to fly apart in three sections if that blast occurs. The front and rear of the Smart V fly away from the crew capsule, a self-sacrificing feature that combats the IED lethality. “That’s all about protection,” Hiros stressed. There also are shock-absorbing seating systems to cushion occupants against an IED blasting the vehicle upward and against the shock of the resultant slam-down. Dangerous components such as the fuel tank and battery have been moved into the breakaway sections, so that they can’t cause a crew compartment fire. Should any fire erupt, lighting and emergency exit systems guide occupants safely out of the vehicle. The Smart V also features lightweight design to increase vehicle performance and weight reduction. “By reducing the weight, you’re actually improving the payload [limits],” he said. 6 | GCT 3.2
BAE brings an immense wealth of experience in combatting the savage effects of enemy munitions detonations on vehicles, knowledge amassed not only in operations of U.S. military forces, but also from the armed forces of South Africa, Sweden and the U.K., Hiros observed. Also, BAE Systems has acquired expertise in other programs such as the Bradley recap that can be used in the HMMWV recap. BAE has provided kits such as up-armoring for the 1114 HMMWV, but that is not the best approach to countering the IED threat, he continued. Rather, what is required is a sweeping and inclusive rework of the vehicle, where all the systems are addressed together in a cogent manner. That means major advancements in the engine, suspension, axles and much more, he reasoned. By taking a panoramic approach to designing the entire upgraded vehicle, the result is an optimal blend of characteristics in the challenging “iron triangle” where engineers attempt to strike a balance among protection, performance and payload, he noted. Beyond all that, the Smart V offers occupants improved ride capabilities, a critical point in off-road vehicles, so that warfighters arrive at their mission destination without being tired and are in fit shape to confront the enemy, he noted. The Smart V also affords the military increased efficiency for better mileage. Not only does that mean fewer fuel-truck convoys are required to supply Smart Vs, so there are correspondingly fewer targets for the enemy to strike, but fuel savings can be enormous. “One gallon of fuel costs us anywhere from $300 to $400 per gallon delivered on the battlefield,” he said, or roughly 100 times the price American motorists pay at the pump. Ceradyne: Under the Ceradyne/Gravikor vision, the HMMWV would be transformed by a structural advancement called a space frame. While it doesn’t involve ponderous steel beams, it provides surprisingly great strength. Nestled inside the frame is a passenger protection capsule, including an underbelly that is designed to crumple in an IED blast. Permitting the hull to crumple lessens the amount of energy from the blast that is transmitted to the entire vehicle, so that the IED detonation doesn’t toss the vehicle so high in the air and the slam-down isn’t as jarring on occupants. This crumple-zone feature is an advancement from the tactic
used by automakers to have the front and rear of a car able to bend under the impact of an accident, while maintaining the integrity of the passenger cabin. The use of a space frame also is similar to technologies used in race cars that can protect drivers in high-speed crashes, according to Gravikor’s Andrew C. Taylor. The design also reduces vehicle weight, which can enhance performance while aiding fuel economy. There also is less wear on vehicle suspensions, axles and transmissions. During the past decade, the weight of up-armoring vehicles often caused heavy wear on those components. Oshkosh Defense: Oshkosh would put more glide in warfighters’ rides, aiming to upgrade HMMWVs with the Oshkosh TAK-4 suspension, which offers a long 14 to 20 inches of wheel travel to absorb the pounding that occupants otherwise would suffer in off-road travel on rough terrain. TAK-4 suspensions have been used on Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement rides, according to an Oshkosh leader, Dave Diersen, program manager for Marine Corps programs. Because the Oshkosh MECV has been tested extensively, it involves little risk for the military. It will have a fire suppression system to protect occupants from the severe burns that can occur after an IED blast. Advanced armament is among other features on the Oshkosh HMMWV upgrade. Textron-Granite: The survivable combat tactical vehicle (SCTV) boasts a passenger protection capsule to guard against IED blasts so that the SCTV can ace blast testing, which demonstrates the capability to take a punch equal to MRAP-type vehicles. This is especially impressive because the blast-resistant strength comes in a vehicle that is lighter and offers better engine and suspension features than HMMWVs, so the SCTV can out-perform the old HMMWV. The SCTV is offered by Textron Marine & Land Systems and Granite Tactical Vehicles. Textron Senior Vice President and General Manager Tom Walmsley said the company can provide the SCTV on schedule, avoiding surprises by incorporating proven technology in the vehicle. 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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Axles and Suspensions Ground vehicles gain better rides, performance, longevity. By Christian Bourge GCT Correspondent
Among the nine campaign types immortalized by Sun Tzu in Chapter XI of The Art of War is the lesson that “rapidity is the essence of war.” The words attributed to the 6th and 7th century Chinese general Li Ching that, “to the soldier, overwhelming speed is of paramount importance,” are spoken in regard to military ground strategy; they are arguably also a statement of truth about the technological capabilities of modern military technology in contemporary warfare. This is one major lesson learned from the early years of the war in Iraq, and later in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, after American soldiers and the Department of Defense began up-armoring ground vehicles in response to the threat of improvised explosive devices, rocket propelled grenades and other attack methods that pushed the limits of military equipment used to transport soldiers and their support gear as well as to fight insurgents. While the U.S. Army began adding an armored HMMWV variant to its ground vehicle fleet in the 1990s, Iraq’s desert terrain and the rugged mountainous regions in Afghanistan had already proved to be a significant challenge to the inherent weight-carrying limits of the dated suspension designs that dominated much of the U.S. military ground vehicle fleet in the years following both invasions. The added weight caused by the addition of heavy ad hoc armor on HMMWVs and other standard military vehicles in theater—aimed at better countering ground threats—resulted in much lower speed capabilities and deteriorated handling, undermining capabilities in combat as well as everyday use. To the layman, this increased weight may seem like something that rugged vehicles like the HMMWV, which has a reputation for toughness perpetuated by the marketing of its commercial cousin, should be able to handle. After all, the military HMMWV is designed to haul troops and equipment as well as fight in the difficult conditions found in combat. But when you take into account the fact that the typical add-on armor www.GCT-kmi.com
kit for a HMMWV can increase weight by as much as 1,000 pounds even before the addition of any passengers or cargo, the reality is much more significant than it would outwardly seem. John Marking, vice president of Santee, Calif.-based Fox Defense Suspension and parent company Fox Racing Shox off-road commercial products division, told Ground Combat Technology that the standard shock absorber used by the U.S. military in ground vehicles is a “really cheap, low performing damper,” ill suited to the impact of the extra weight strain that increased vehicle armor places on military ground vehicles. He and other suspension industry players argue that countering the negative performance impact to military ground vehicles from added armor has meant turning to better suspension technologies. “We’ve gotten a lot of business because they put on armor, then they had to increase the springs with the increase in the weight of the vehicle,” said Marking. “The standard shock they’ve used for 20 to 30 years can’t handle those increased forces. They’ve been gone from off road racing [a key Fox market] for 15 years.” The benefits of advanced shock and suspension systems are not limited to performance. Marking noted that off-road vehicle performance is much more than just ensuring a relatively comfortable ride for passengers and adequate capabilities both during normal use as well as when pushed at higher speeds or in rugged conditions. It also means ensuring increased vehicle reliability in the long term. “The military is coming around to understand that in the off-road environment, you need a good shock absorber, and lo and behold, you will sometimes triple the life of the vehicle,” said Marking.
New Shock Designs Cary, N.C.-based Lord Corp. is one of the design firms hoping to become a bigger player in the potentially expanding, next-generation GCT 3.2 | 7
military ground vehicle suspension market with its magneto-rheological (MR) semi-active damping system. Jim Yakel, manager of the military ground vehicles market business development for Lord, told GCT that their MR system is designed to handle the heavier loads associated with vehicle up-armoring while maintaining or restoring a degree of functional mobility to military ground vehicles, improving stability as well as reducing vehicular wear and tear. “The core idea is to provide adaptive active dampening force to each wheel position,” said Yakel. “In order to do that, we use a magnetorheological shock that contains iron particles suspended in fluid that becomes semi-solid, or a more solid matter, increasing the dampening capabilities over what would be capable [with] a passive damper.” The system incorporates distributed position sensors combined with a microprocessor-controlled unit that monitors the encountered terrain and conditions thousands of times a second, adjusting shock absorber performance accordingly. Lord first developed their MR-based technology in the early 2000s with Troy, Mich.-based Delphi Automotive for commercial automotive use, entering that market with the resulting control algorithms. Yakel said that it wasn’t until the last three to four years that the company began working intently with the U.S. military to develop applications for its combat-focused vehicle dampening system. Yakel said that the control unit is a universal design intended to work with its MR system on multiple vehicle platforms both as a retrofit to existing vehicle suspensions as well as being integrated into an original suspension design, allowing for coverage for a variety of vehicle applications. “We made a great effort to make sure our design is very easily adaptable,” he said. Lord’s MR shock system is factory equipment on the South African firm DCD-Dorbyl’s four-wheel steering and four-wheel drive Mountain Lion MRAP vehicle, incorporating their dampers along with coiled springs fitted to a double wishbone, fully independent suspension and planetary axles. The vehicle was launched in the United States in March in partnership with Dallas, Texas-based Critical Solutions International. Fox’s shocks can also currently can be found on a variety of other U.S. military ground vehicle platforms for both conventional and special forces use, including all of Special Operations Command’s sideby-side passenger vehicles, as well as British-based Supacat’s MWMIK Jackal used by the British Army in Afghanistan. The firm has also been providing a front shock for San Diego, Calif.-based General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (Predator B) unmanned aerial vehicle since its inception. Like Lord, Fox Defense Suspension has been a player in commercial markets for much longer than in the military sector, specifically the offroad automotive and other vehicle markets, only entering the military market with its position-sensitive dampening shocks around four years ago. Marking said this came about after military design firms begin using their off-road racing shocks in defense vehicle systems. The firm has now been selling its shocks for Naval Special Warfare Command’s HMMWV variant for about three years, and they submitted their damper design for the Marine Corps HMMWV suspension upgrade as part of New York-based L-3 Communications’ proposal as well as Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin’s latest JLTV prototype. Fox Defense claims a number of benefits to its basic shock design over traditional military shocks, particularly in off-road environments, including better vehicle maneuverability and speed as well as durability. Marking explained that the multiple height zone design allows for higher velocity driving with a ride as much as seven times stiffer at some heights when compared to traditional, old school military shock design. 8 | GCT 3.2
“Most of the old school Army stuff rides so bad because they had to make [the shocks and suspension] stiff to allow [the vehicle] space [for clearance],” said Marking. “What we do is make the ride soft[er] but if you hit a ditch, it ramps up so you don’t bottom out.” He added that an advantage of their mechanical position system over electronic shock systems seeking higher performance is longdemonstrated, proven performance and reliability as well as lower added weight to the vehicle. “This is something we’ve been doing for a good 15 years,” said Marking. “It’s really tried and true. It’s ultimately reliable compared to any electronic stuff.” Nevertheless, Marking did say that Fox is looking at adding electronic features to complement their shock system, though he was unable to discuss specifics at the current stage of development. Their current shock system is now undergoing performance testing at Houghton, Mich.-based GS Engineering as part of a larger testing program of multiple suspension options for the Army’s family of medium tactical vehicles following completion of 10,000-mile durability testing at the independent Silver Springs, Nev-based Nevada Automotive Test Center. Lord is also conducting testing of their system on a retrofitted HMMWV on their own internal test course, with the company planning to ship the vehicle to the Army’s Aberdeen Test Center in Maryland once final tuning and weight setup is complete.
Performance Suspensions Improving the performance of ad hoc armor-added vehicles is more than just a matter of advanced shock absorbers. Oshkosh, Wis.based Oshkosh Defense developed its successful TAK-4 independent suspension system in the mid-to-late 1990s as its response to Marine Corps efforts to bring its logistics fleet up to the performance level of its combat fleet, according to Chris Yakes, vice president of advanced products for Oshkosh. It has proved to be a prominent response to the U.S. military’s vehicle up-armoring efforts as both an inherent original vehicular design component as well as a retrofit. “It was one of the first, if not the first, independent heavy duty suspension system in the United States developed for heavy military vehicles and military truck-type applications,” Yakes told GCT. The dual A-arm suspension system is adaptable to multiple shock absorber systems from coil springs to active and reactive control systems. It provides 16 inches or more ground clearance on varying vehicle platforms, and the company claims that two to three times faster speed can be had using the sort of non-independent suspensions that are historically more traditional to the military vehicle design. The various TAK-4 incarnations have been used on over 10,000 platforms which have seen battle over 10 years, including Oshkosh’s Palletized Load Systems truck for the Army and Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement six-wheel drive all-terrain vehicle for the Marine Corps and Navy; the Marine Logistics Vehicle System (LVS) modular, eight-wheel drive all-terrain vehicles; as well as the Army Legacy MRAP; SOCOM RG31A3, RG33 and the Cougar MRAP variants. The success of the TAK-4 system in terms of U.S. military adoption is undeniable, with Oshkosh also upgrading not only its own MRAP vehicles in use by American forces but also those for competing firms over the last few years, with around 3,000 of the independent suspensions upgraded so far. Yakes noted that while the general system design has not changed, it has seen continued development with its latest incarnation, the TAK-4i light vehicle-focused design recently announced. www.GCT-kmi.com
“Since the [first deployment] we’ve continued to develop it,” said Yakes. “It is very modular, designed to recap and replace individual components based on the platform, heavy, medium or light trucks. It’s very tailorable.”
A Waiting Game As the U.S. military looks to the future of its ground vehicle fleet and operations continue in Afghanistan for an unknown period of time, Lord, Fox, Oshkosh and other suspension design firms are hoping their advanced suspension system designs become a greater part of the mix of deployed suspension options. This is not only true in terms of future vehicle designs but also in upgrading existing vehicles. Nevertheless, Fox’s Marking noted that ongoing suspension design innovation is currently not a driving force for change moving forward, given the potentially limited budget environment resulting from expected continued budget cuts at the hand of the U.S. Congress. This makes the future for suspension design firms a waiting game. However, the potential HMMWV recap is the first major contract that a number of defense firms are hoping to win, if the program survives budget cuts. “We’re really just looking at anything that is coming along,” said Marking. “With everybody else, we’re just waiting to see what pops up.” There are many potential things in the pipeline for use of high performance shocks. But “obviously, the HMMWV recap is what
everybody is craving. We have quite a few submissions in that. It’s just waiting to see what comes out of it that is the real story there.” Lord’s Yakel also said that while his firm maintains an open dialogue with prime military contractors—including BAE, Navistar Defense and Oshkosh—to make their services available for new vehicles and redesigns, he agreed the HMMWV recap is the next major product that every suspension-related design firm is looking to get on board. “Everybody is waiting to see what the final requirement looks like and see the final RFP,” said Yakel. “Nevertheless, we believe with the austere defense budget, there are a large number of vehicles that will need major recalibration and upgrades. There are a number of options for upgrade efforts.” Oshkosh’s Yakes echoed this sentiment, but added the international military market offers a potential reprieve from any decision delays on the part of the U.S. military. “We are certainly interested in the U.S. defense market but there is a little bit of budget hesitation, I think, on the part of the DoD-U.S. Army military customer,” said Yakes. “So we are aggressively looking at all options in the international defense market. That is only prudent at this point.” 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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GCT 3.2 | 9
Warfighters gain better weapons, voice comms, data links, sniper protection. By Henry Canaday GCT Correspondent
Soldiers are getting closer to the day they will wield weapons, communications and other gear that will be lighter, easier to use and far more capable. In early February, Soldier Weapons delivered the first M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System (MASS) to a brigade combat team of the 101st Airborne Division. “It goes to engineers and military police, two per squad,� explained Colonel Scott Armstrong, project manager Soldier Weapons for Program Executive Office Soldier. MASS can be used as a standalone shotgun or an under-barrel mount on the M4 carbine, so shooters can switch quickly between lethal
10 | GCT 3.2
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and non-lethal ammunition. A magazine with three to five rounds also enhances speed. The Army has taken 1,900 M26s and will distribute them first to brigade combat teams preparing to deploy. Armstrong expects to take 8,000 of the new weapons eventually. Soldier Weapons is moving on a Product Improvement Program (PIP) on the M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS). It seeks a lighter, more compact and versatile SASS, the M110A1 Compact. “We want to increase survivability and decrease felt recoil,” Armstrong said. The PIP is open competition and bidders may propose either conversion or replacement. Armstrong expects a request for proposals in spring and contract award this fall. Soldier Weapons is proceeding with PIP on the M4, a possible alternative to replacement with a new gun. Most work-order kits have been let and delivery of improved M4s is expected in summer 2013. The Army has taken 10,000 M153 common remotely operated weapon stations (CROWS) and has ordered 600 more. On January 9, CROWS III opened competition for 3,000 new turrets and spares. After a competition closing March 9, award is expected this fall. Soldier Weapons is doing PIPs with existing CROWS, one with green lasers for dazzling. Fifty prototypes are operating in Afghanistan for use in non-lethal situations. Another PIP converts CROWS to fixed sites so they can be remotely operated from locations such as observation towers.
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In Afghanistan, soldiers from the 1/16 Infantry Battalion used a suite of advanced Soldier Power capabilities to reduce the volume and weight of loads. 1/16 has returned from the field, so this equipment is being added through the Rapid Equipping Force (REF) to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team in Germany and a brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Additional equipping will take four to six months, according to Major Jack Moore, assistant product manager for Soldier Power. New equipment includes the Squad Modular Universal Battery Charger (SMUBC), which scavenges power in austere environments and distributes it to seven batteries for radio and other equipment. Moore remembers carrying 100 to 140 pounds in Afghanistan, “and 30 to 40 percent was batteries.” With the SMUBC, up to a third of that weight is eliminated. The SMUBC can draw energy from solar blankets, generators or car batteries in the field. Soldier Power aims for cutting-edge power harvesting and distribution. The SMUBC can charge batteries for the AN/PRC-152, AN/PRC-154 Rifleman radio, Net Warrior devices, laptops and other equipment. In addition to the SMUBC, Soldier Power includes the Soldier Worn Integrated Power Equipment System (SWIPES) to distribute power, the lightweight Soldier Power Manager, an ergonomic conformal battery, the Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System (REPPS) for solar power, a 3.5-Watt kinetic energy harvesting battery, 55-Watt methanol fuel cells and 300-Watt propane fuel cells portable in tactical vests or assault packs.
GCT 3.2 | 11
About 3,500 One System Remote Video Terminals (OSRVTs) made by the AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems unit of Textron have been deployed, noted Todd Alexander of AAI business development. “Soldiers get full motion video and telemetry from unmanned air and ground vehicles,” he said. OSRVT comes either standalone or as part of the RQ-7 Shadow system. Marines want smaller burdens for expeditionary needs, so AAI worked with Qinetiq Technology Solutions, which makes handheld and wearable controls for tactical robots. AAI integrated software and a small receiver into Qinetiq technology and produced a wearable device that works with unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), yielding full motion video from manned and unmanned aircraft. The Marines took the device to Afghanistan and feedback is positive. “We wanted to show interoperability between ground and air unmanned systems,” Alexander said. The device is bi-directional so if a ground controller has a target of interest and an unmanned aerial system (UAS) is overhead, he can nudge the UAS camera instead of communicating back to ground control. This Wearable Remote Video Terminal (WRVT) weighs less than 15 pounds with batteries and cables. WRVT would be useful for forward air controllers, Marine Force Reconnaissance and others on the tactical edge. It works with FosterMiller UGVs, but as unmanned systems convert to common standards, it also could support others. AAI wants to integrate it with the Shadow Tactical Common Data Link. Textron Systems Advanced Systems sent eight telescoped lightweight machine guns and 25,000 rounds of ammunition for a military utility assessment at Fort Benning last September. Paul Shipley, who manages lightweight small arms technologies, said marksmanship and obstacle tests yielded positive reactions. One general wants a requirement written for the weapon. The 5.56 mm ammunition has a plastic case, and both ammo and weapon are 40 percent lighter than the M249 light machine gun, but retain lethality. “It fires the standard bullet with the same velocity and accuracy,” Shipley emphasized. “The Army wants a forward operational assessment and Special Operations Command would like further evaluation this summer.” Textron’s Overwatch unit makes InSite, which uses smartphone technologies to give soldiers access to advanced analytical, collaborative, and command and control tools. Greg d’Arbonne, director of business development, combat systems at Overwatch, said InSite’s open architecture supports commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) applications so developers can work with the application programming interface. “We are the middleware,” d’Arbonne summarized. InSite was tested at the Empire Challenge and a Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) in 2011. “The Army is very interested. The Marines and Air Force are interested as well,” d’Arbonne said. InSite works with any Android-capable hardware and is very affordable. Distribution would depend on tactics. “I don’t think the Marines see it for every Marine, the Army may or may not,” the Textron exec said. Textron is ready to deploy InSite in 2012 if desired. It requires a communication network, which Textron offers. An analysis tool, Access Pro, gives situational awareness. The Army is looking at variants of medium machine guns, noted Steve Selzer, sales and marketing vice president of U.S. Ordnance. “They want reduced weight and length. The M4 has a rail on top, but a machine gun has a cover that flips up. Can you add a rail for thermal or night vision that flips out of the way?” 12 | GCT 3.2
U.S. Ordnance makes the M2 .50-caliber machine gun. “We have made it with a quick-change barrel, taking 10 seconds instead of minutes,” Selzer explained. “Also, it is safer for field clearance.” General Dynamics has delivered 5,000 M2s, but the Army wants a second producer, and Selzer’s firm is considering bidding. “We are the only one that can make parts for the whole system.” U.S. Ordnance manufactures the M60 family—7.62 mm machine guns—for six non-U.S. countries, and is improving it. “It is compact and lighter; we have put optics on it, added a firing safety feature and reduced life cycle cost,” Selzer said. This M60E4 is used by the U.S. Army now for niche applications. AR Modular makes the KMW 1031, a 20-Watt wearable radio frequency amplifier to extend the range of tactical radios. Vice President/ General Manager Chris Heavens said it works with the Marines’ AN/ PRC-148, the PRC-152 and other radios. “Most soldier radios give 1 to 5 Watts; this gives 20 Watts output and boosts reception range.” Effect depends on terrain, but generally 20 Watts doubles the range. The device works with both FM and new data transmission, and weighs two pounds without battery. “We started out in special operations, but now we are in the green Army,” Heavens noted. “Today the dismounted rifleman has a radio, but it is not data linked,” said Tom Core, director, business development for Battle Command Systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “Now we will be able to connect the radio to servers and the World Wide Web. If I see a UAS, I can text message to send it over and look for me. They can send the UAS images to the soldier. If I go into a town, I will see my fellow soldier on another street.” All this is possible with GD’s HMS AN/PRC-155 radio, a two-channel, lightweight and easy-to-use rifleman radio. “This will transform the way soldiers do business,” said Bill Rau, director of communication programs for General Dynamics C4 Systems. “The magic is SRW [Soldier Radio Waveform]. Soldiers can form a net with each other. If they want to connect to a higher echelon, the HMS is the gateway.” The 14-pound PRC-155 can be mounted in vehicles or carried by operators. It connects to new networks and legacy systems. Stacked in vehicles, PRC-155s can support a number of channels. The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) waveform provides bandwidth for secure, mobile networked communications worldwide, even where infrastructure is lacking. MUOS should be complete in the third quarter of 2012 and available on the PRC-155. Daniel Gibbs, product line manager, Satcom-on-the-Move, or SOTM, for General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, noted GD also enables satellite communication on the move. A new antenna handles voice, video and data through satellite on rough terrain, free from reliance on line-of-sight and without stopping vehicles. Harris’s Falcon III family includes the AN/PRC-152A wideband handheld radio. Harris’s PRC-117G has been certified for SRW and the -152A will be certified this summer, said Jerry Adams, director of product line management. “Once a waveform is in one, we can get it in the other. SRW is the waveform brigade combat teams want to work with.” The -117G is used in vehicles at company level and above. The -152a SRW will be operated by company, team, platoon and squad leaders. The new radio can interoperate with legacy systems. “It will be a long time before all brigade combat teams are on wideband,” Adams noted. Product Manager Ken Arndt said Harris radios can be the “transport layer” with Android-based devices. “These are very small and need transport. The -152A has SRW security for secret and below.” www.GCT-kmi.com
Harris is waiting for an initial roll-out decision on Falcon IIIs after NIE 12.2 this spring. “The Army has tens of thousands of -152s,” Arndt said. “You can upgrade to -152As, but it is expensive.” Upgrade or replacement could depend on condition of old equipment, some of which has been deployed since 2006. Marines also use -152s. Dan Verwiel, director of Northrop Battle Management Systems at Northrop Grumman Information Systems, argued that adapting COTS devices and linking them through Northrop’s Advanced MeshNet Technology will allow the Army to deliver very useful capabilities to soldiers. MeshNet can manage the massive amounts of data—for example video, biometric data and pictures—available to tactical internets. MeshNet can deliver 20 to 48 Megabits per second to vehicles and five to ten Mbps to soldiers, needs no fixed infrastructure, interoperates with Army Battle Command System and Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below Joint Capabilities Release, and is highly affordable. Raytheon’s Mobile Ad hoc Interoperability Network Gateway (MAINGATE) has three components, according to Jeff Miller, director of tactical communication systems. The first is a new waveform Raytheon has developed with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, commonly called DARPA, to communicate at low cost with higher commands. The second is a family of radios, and the third is the gateway that translates internet messages for both old and new radios. Demonstrated with smart phones and iPads, MAINGATE “does not care what device the soldier is using,” Miller explained. “The goal is to not be noticed; it can talk with cell phones or Harris -117Gs. At NIE, we have shown we have 10 times more capacity to move full motion video than competitors.” Raytheon has deployed the new waveform in theater for one customer for two years and deployed 30 entire MAINGATE systems through REF in Afghanistan. Miller hopes for Army selection of a baseline system after NIE 13.1 in late 2012. Raytheon has sold 8,000 of its Boomerang acoustic shooterdetection systems to U.S. forces, said Boomerang head Mark Sherman. Boomerang has been used on vehicles, and Raytheon now has a $54 million contract to install it on 200 fixed sites in Afghanistan. Boomerang reports in seconds the direction of a shooter, range and elevation, and can also display grid coordinates. Raytheon is now designing Boomerang Warrior for individual soldiers, Weighing less than 11 ounces, Warrior adjusts the direct display if the soldier turns or moves. Registering bullets by shock waves, it does not yield false alarms like sound-based devices. Feedback from an operation evaluation in the U.K. has been positive, and the system is in Afghanistan now. A further version can be installed on fixed sites when soldiers are in camp. Sherman said Boomerang Warrior is affordable for individual soldiers. Thales Communications’ AN/PRC-148 Joint Tactical Radio System Enhanced Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio, or JEM, has been certified for the ultra-high frequency satellite communications Integrated Waveform (IW). IW eliminates the need for soldiers to carry heavy tactical radio systems. Walt Hepker, vice president of business development, said more than 200,000 -148s are in service. “It’s the smallest radio that can handle all different waveforms. Size, weight and power are paramount.” And IW replaces an old waveform that was inefficient in using bandwidth. With 100,000 JEMs deployed, Thales will continue to add features to JEM and the Army will upgrade on a case-by-case basis. Hepker said JEM is a 5-Watt radio for squad, team and platoon leaders. The new -154 Rifleman radio, of which Thales and General Dynamics are each producing more than 3,000 under low rate initial www.GCT-kmi.com
production, is designed for individual soldiers. The next buy will be for 11,500 units. “The Army’s goal is 200,000 and I think they will get there,” Hepker said. The -154 has successfully completed an operational assessment in Afghanistan. Thales also offers a new modular universal battery charger, which can charge multiple battery types, including the -148, -154, -152, 5590, and LI-145. The military needs good communication headsets with hearing protection, stressed TEA Director of Business Development Steve Tocidlowski. TEA offers the latest technology in hearing protection, X50 digital ears, an in-ear technology that provides protection without earmuffs or boom-mikes, is lighter, yields improved situational awareness and fits more helmets. The X50 can plug into any type of radio, intercom or even smartphones. Because it’s a dual-communication headset, communicators can monitor two nets simultaneously. A slimmed down version, S10, has “fewer bells and whistles, but is lighter and lower cost,” Tocidlowski explained. The new technology has so far been adopted in the U.S. military in a small way and is used by regular forces in the U.K. and Denmark. “In five years I expect 50 percent of communicators will use this type of in-ear communication and protection,” Tocidlowski 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.
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GCT 3.2 | 13 4/16/12 3:50 PM
INNOVATIONS Self-Guided Bullet Sandia National Laboratories/ Sandia Corp. Weapons: Small-caliber, smooth-bore Range: More than a mile (about 2,000 meters) Targets: Laser-designated Guidance: Fins Speed: 2,400 feet per second
Smart 81 mm Mortar Round General Dynamics/BAE Systems Round: UK L41 Fuze: US M734A1 Guidance: GPS Control Surfaces: Roll Control Fixed Canard Cut in Rounds Used: 30 Percent from unguided
Soldiers to Gain Advanced Battery Power Source
Suspension System Softens Injury-Causing Rough Rides
For the first time, the Army has given Arotech Corp. an order for SWIPES, the Soldier Worn Integrated Power Equipment System. The order for over 350 systems will service the Army REF (Rapid Equipping Force) and PEO Soldier, PM Soldier Warrior. The REF provides specialized and specific capabilities as quickly as possible to Army units positioned globally in order to affect the outcome of wars and battles. PEO Soldier, PM Soldier Warrior, Product Director Soldier Power encompasses expeditionary power solutions intended for the most austere operating environments.
Lord Corp. provides a suspension system that can perform well at high speeds on roads, while cushioning combatants in rough off-road trips. “Lord Corp.’s magneto-rheological suspension system offers significant improvement in the mission effectiveness of combat vehicles by reducing the time required to complete the mission, especially when used off-road and on rough terrain. It also provides a more stable platform for weapons firing and electronic stability control for the driver,” said Jim Yakel, business development manager, military ground vehicles. (Please see page 7)
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SWIPES utilizes the MOLLE vest and integrates force protection electronics and communications equipment with an advanced battery power source. The system utilizes a modular power distribution system that is powered by BA-8180/U, BA-8140/U Zinc-air batteries, Li-Ion Conformal Battery or the LI-145, BB2590 rechargeable batteries for direct power of equipment. That allows for extended mission times without the burden of power source swaps or power source charging due to their high energy density, and reduces battery weight soldiers carry by up to 30 percent. The batteries continuously charge the secondary batteries inside various devices, such as two-way radios, GPS units and shot detection systems. The SWIPES product allows for individual tailoring by the warfighter and is designed to accept new applications as they become available. “We are excited by the increased interest in the SWIPES as a consequence of being one of the Ten Best Army Inventions of 2011,” stated Arotech Chairman and CEO Robert S. Ehrlich. “We believe that the fielding of this initial order will demonstrate its effectiveness and pave the way toward wide acceptance by the warfighter.”
Family of Military Tactical Vehicles EPMD Oshkosh Front Wheel Travel: 16 inches Max. Off-Road Speed: Up 20 Percent Suspension System: TAK-4 Protection: Underbody Improvement Kit Testing: 6,000-plus miles
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Compiled by KMI Media Group staff
Vehicle-Mounted Medic Pack Is Removable Tactical & Survival Specialties Inc., or TSSi, introduced a vehicle mounted medical aid pack. The Vehicle Assault Medical Platform, or VAMP, is fully adjustable to fit most vehicle seats, forms to the seat, and is padded for comfort. The platform fits HMMWVs, MRAPs, Ford F-Series trucks and Suburbans. The VAMP is fully integrated with the necessary medical equipment to be used in emergency medical situations. A modified version of TSSi’s M-9 Assault Medical Backpack attaches to the platform using an integrated strap system with quick release capabilities. This allows for dismounted operations away from the vehicle and allows the user to attach the pack to their load-bearing vest or carry over the shoulder with pack straps. The mesh zippered pouches within the M-9 are clearly labeled to identify the type of injury that can be treated. Each pouch is attached with hook and loop Velcro as well as a pull-tab for easy removal, even with gloved hands. The VAMP is being introduced as part of TSSi’s TACOPS brand of unique products. The VAMP was developed per the request of an end-user looking for more
versatility during vehicle operations. The platform can also be used without the modified M-9 as a modular platform for attaching MOLLE pouches already in the user’s load out when medical support is not required. The platform can be used as an assault panel, allowing the user to quickly pull magazines, flash bangs, frags and smoke from the seatback platform to use or replenish their supplies during sustained operations. In a hurried situation, with one pull the user can separate the whole panel and take it in dismounted operations.
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UAV Gains Extended Endurance General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced the near-term availability of two extended endurance options for its Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper fleet. “We are continually seeking ways to improve our platforms, making them more relevant for our customers’ emerging needs,” said Frank W. Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI. “We’ve designed field retrofitable capabilities–lengthened wings, wing-borne fuel pods, and new heavyweight landing gear–that greatly extend Reaper’s already impressive endurance and range while further increasing its operational flexibility.” The results of GA-ASI’s recent Endurance Enhancement Study, which was completed on Internal Research and Development (IRAD) funds, propose two different field
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installable kits that extend endurance without costly depot aircraft modifications: • Option 1 optimizes the aircraft for Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, adding two fuel pods to its existing 66-foot wings and heavy-weight landing gear, increasing endurance from 27 hours to 37 hours. • Option 2 optimizes the aircraft for multipurpose missions, replacing its current 66-foot wings with 88-foot wings, and adding two fuel pods and heavy-weight landing gear, increasing endurance from 27 hours to 42 hours for ISR-only. Earlier this year, GA-ASI announced the availability of a new trailing arm design for
the existing main landing gear on Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper. This “heavy-weight” landing gear increases the aircraft’s landing weight capacity by 30 percent and its gross takeoff weight by approximately 12 percent, from 10,500 pounds to 11,700 pounds. The new landing gear is available as a field retrofit to all existing Predator B customers, with the capability subject to export restrictions. Predator B is currently operational with the U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force as the MQ-9 Reaper and the Italian Air Force as MQ-9, with NASA as Ikhana, and with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as Predator B/Guardian. The aircraft is designed to perform multi-mission ISR and hunter-killer missions over land or sea, with more than 120 vehicles delivered since 2001.
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Q& A
Knowledge is Power: JPEO JTRS Provides Critical Intel to Warfighters
Brigadier General Michael E. Williamson Joint Program Executive Officer Joint Tactical Radio System Brigadier General Michael E. Williamson assumed his duties as Joint Program Executive Officer for the Joint Tactical Radio System in March 2011. He was born in Tucson, Ariz., and was commissioned at the University of Maine as a second lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery in 1983. His assignments include service as the automation officer for the 32nd AADCOM in Darmstadt, Germany. He then served as a Chaparral platoon leader, Vulcan platoon leader, maintenance officer and executive officer in C Battery, 108th Brigade, Hahn Air Force Base, Germany. After attending the Air Defense Artillery Advance Course, he served as the chief, Forward Area Air Defense Weapons, Development Branch at Fort Bliss, Texas. He then commanded B Battery, 3/1 ADA (Hawk) in the 11th Brigade at Fort Bliss and also in the 31st ADA Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas. After completing command, he served as the assistant S-3 in the 31st ADA Brigade. His acquisition experience began as senior military software analyst at NATO’s military headquarters in Mons, Belgium. He then served as the associate director, Battle Command Battle Lab at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. After attending Command and General Staff College, he served as the chief of information technology, acquisition career management, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition Logistics and Technology. He was then selected as a Congressional Fellow and served as a legislative assistant to a member of Congress. After completing the fellowship, he served as the product manager for the Global Command and Control System-Army, and then as the acquisition military assistant to the secretary of the Army. He served as commander of Software Engineering Center-Belvoir (SEC-B). He was then assigned as the project manager, Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team) Network Systems’ Integration within Program Manager, Future Combat Systems (Brigade Combat Team). He then served as director of systems integration, within the Office of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the deputy program manager, Program Executive Office, Integration. The general’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters; the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; the Joint Service Commendation medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army 16 | GCT 3.2
Superior Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Ribbon and the Army Staff Identification Badge. His education includes a Bachelor of Science from Husson College in business administration, a Master of Science in systems management from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Ph.D. in business administration from Madison University. He also has graduate certificates in Public Policy from the JFK School of Government, Harvard University and the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School and was a Senior Service College Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. He is Level III certified in program management and communications and computers. Q: Since taking over as JPEO a year ago, what changes have you made in your organization? A: My three priorities when I became the JPEO last year were to: (1) deliver radios, (2) develop the strategy for the future and (3) take care of the people. In many ways, all three of these priorities are closely linked. www.GCT-kmi.com
In early 2011, all of our JTRS programs were completing their development phase and heading toward final integration, testing and production. My number one priority was to get these products completed and into the field as quickly as possible. Over the last year, we have focused a significant portion of our efforts to successfully drive two of our programs of record [PoR]—Multifunctional Information Distribution System [MIDS] and the Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit [HMS] radio—into limited production and robust field testing. In the case of MIDS, we have conducted nearly 800 flight hours of testing on Navy and Air Force TACAIR platforms and will be moving to a full rate production decision this spring. In the case of HMS, both the Rifleman radio and HMS Manpack have participated in three separate Network Integration Evaluations with a number of other Army networking systems and applications. Additionally, we have deployed over 200 Rifleman radios to Afghanistan with the 75th Ranger Regiment with exceptional operational results. Bottom line, we are getting the critical capability completed and into the hands of the warfighter. With respect to developing the strategy for the future, it was readily apparent to me that given the convergence of several factors, we needed to chart an updated path for both the organization and how we were going to effectively and efficiently deliver, sustain and enhance tactical communications per the Department of Defense. One of the primary factors is the life cycle reality of where our current JTRS programs are—most of the Network Enterprise Domain waveforms and network manager software have completed formal qualification testing and two of the four hardware PoRs are post-milestone C and headed for full rate production. Thus, we needed to fundamentally change our organization from a pure R&D organization to one that supports some R&D and more production and sustainment. The second factor is the overall increasing maturity of IP-networking and software-defined radio technologies. Our JTRS business model has afforded us the ability to reach beyond the current programs of record and deliver networking capabilities at a more affordable cost. This model leverages the hardware expertise of radio vendors. Finally, some of the warfighter’s requirements have changed since program inception. For example, though the Army still requires a vehicle networking capability, they no longer need the same projected quantities of the previous Ground Mobile Radio [GMR] program of record. This reduced quantity results in a product that is too expensive when balanced with other communication and networking priorities. However, the development effort to date for GMR provided the foundation for a less expensive, mid-tier radio running the Wideband Networking Waveform [WNW]. This capability will be an essential component of the Army’s tactical network architecture, providing a critical link between soldiers at the lowest tactical echelon and the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical. I believe the future management challenge becomes more software-oriented in nature and spans across the services to help reduce cost for waveform porting on various hardware installations. Supporting product testing while maintaining configuration of all networking waveforms is our key value proposition. Additionally, facilitating new technology innovation through industry independent research and development and providing guidance on standards will be key to how this www.GCT-kmi.com
organization will help DoD and the respective services. These are the primary components and functional mission areas that will form the basis of the organization moving forward. Bottom line, as the programs and technologies mature, we are charting a path to reduce the cost of obtaining these capabilities while increasing the tactical interoperability and speed of acquisition. Q: What progress have you seen in constant comms for the warfighter during the past decade? A: Over the last 10 years, we have made significant strides in modernizing the area of tactical communications. The mentality has evolved from building large, hardened communications architectures to constructing more expedient and ad hoc arrangements. Our radios and other assets themselves have followed this same evolution. Years ago, we would have to depend on “big-box” equipment linked to large antennas and dishes in order to just partially cover the battlefield with communications. This would require heavy logistics due to the size, weight and required power of such a network. Utilizing this construct, we also had to deal with the possibility of significant network degradation if one of these hubs experienced some kind of failure. Over time, we’ve introduced things such as expeditionary repeater sites, which allowed us to reduce the load on one signal node and further extend the reach of the overall network. Our troop-carried equipment has also significantly reduced in size, which will ultimately allow more mobility of the entire network in any environment. We are now working toward using the individual warfighter—whether in the air, in a vehicle, or on foot—and personal radio to act as a single repeater that will route and retransmit information on-the-move across the battlespace. These are the kinds of things that will increase situational awareness and keep our warfighters safe. However, it is not just building smaller and faster. It is also about building protection into the network. As much as building the network is a priority, securing the network is equally important. Q: Are you satisfied that a fully developed JTRS would provide the comms that warfighters require in mountainous areas such as Afghanistan, where line-of-sight comms may not always be possible? A: Absolutely. That is one of the primary missions of this organization, to provide these capabilities to connect the individual warfighter wherever they are in the battlespace, and Afghanistan is the ideal proving grounds for the JTRS capability. Recently, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed to Afghanistan with the Rifleman radio with Soldier Radio Waveform [SRW] as their intra-squad radio. This represents the first combat use of the JTRS radio, and the platoons reported effective and reliable communications inside buildings and through multiple walls in austere locations. The Rangers gave the JTRS radio high marks for ease of use, size, weight, power and battery life. That is great news for our team and shows the benefit of all the hard work and dedication we’ve put into this program. And that represents only the first element of the JTRS family of radios. When joined with the airborne and mounted vehicle capabilities currently being developed and the growing GCT 3.2 | 17
family of networking waveforms already being deployed, they provide our soldiers a superior tactical communications network that is secure, affordable and interoperable, and gives them a significant tactical advantage wherever the fight takes them. Q: As Congress works on the defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2012, there have been reductions in some JTRS accounts because the Senate Appropriations Committee members determined that some funds were to cover events that likely would not occur until after FY12. Will this cause work to slow down, or can your organization work around the funding changes? A: I would categorize it as more of a realignment than a reduction. There were some schedule changes which allowed us to realign funds and put that money to good use this year, and we expect that to be recouped in future execution years. I believe JTRS has proven itself to be a fairly flexible organization, always effectively doing the best job possible with its given resources. Yes, there were airborne and maritime/fixed station [AMF] procurement dollars in the FY12 president’s budget request to Congress, but as you mentioned, Congress marked those dollars due to delays in the AMF program. It’s important to understand that those dollars were just that: procurement dollars. We couldn’t spend those anyway. It’s more about being good stewards and being able to manage program budgets in a way that is both effective and efficient. Q: The committee noted that it is encouraged by recent JTRS progress, including performance at the recent Network Integration Evaluations [NIE]. Are you satisfied the JTRS program is progressing well during these events? A: We are absolutely satisfied with the progress being made out in White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss. JTRS involvement at NIE has had significant impacts on the progression toward establishing an objective integrated network baseline. These NIEs are a new way of doing business in today’s Army. By conducting developmental and operational testing in an integrated environment such as this, we are setting the standard for the future of tactical communications testing. It is a fundamental change in how we deliver JTRS and all other capabilities to our soldiers. Establishing the NIE helped the Army employ a new agile acquisition process; the Army is now able to keep pace with industry and technological advances and accelerate the pace of network modernization to a rate unachievable by traditional acquisition strategies. We’ve had a few radios and network services under test and evaluation during these events, and are achieving milestones which are bringing them closer to being placed in the hands of the troops on the battlefield. JTRS HMS Manpack radios performed two-channel, simultaneous voice and data, line-of-sight/beyond-line-of-sight terrestrial, aerial and space transport layer capability in both mounted and dismounted configurations. HMS Rifleman radio successfully completed its initial operational test and evaluation and bridged four out of four of the current-state capability gaps being evaluated during the NIE. GMR, running wideband networking waveform, provided tactical networking services across the brigade for up to 90 km. SRW and WNW network 18 | GCT 3.2
managers were successful in planning missions, providing mission data files, and monitoring the active SRW and WNW networks, respectively. Utilizing the aerial tier—through UASs and aerostat blimps—increased the range of the WNW and SRW waveforms and expanded the overall network. With respect to the NIE, rapid technological progress means we cannot afford to view networked systems as individual devices, with their own distinct requirements and acquisition timelines. Instead, the NIE also has enabled JPEO JTRS, and others, to gain the ability to integrate and deploy networked capabilities up front prior to deployment as they become mature and are proven operationally relevant to the soldier. This, in turn, will lessen the integration challenges faced by deployed units. Q: On a broader level, Congress is seeking $450 billion to $1 trillion in defense outlay cuts over the decade. Have you instituted efficiencies and/or cost-saving measures in your organization? A: The JPEO JTRS organization established an Enterprise Business Model [EBM] in 2006 specifically targeting affordable acquisition of software-defined tactical networking radios. The core tenets of this model centered on open architecture and software standards, government-purpose rights and centralized access to waveform and network management software, and continuous competition throughout the radio product life cycles. Efficiencies and cost savings were realized, evidenced by the Consolidated Single Channel Handheld Radio production contract returning over $500 million since its inception in 2007. When Ashton Carter [then-assistant secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, now deputy secretary of defense] established the DoD’s Better Business Buying Power initiatives in 2010, we found that the EBM was already aligned in many ways with the goals and initiatives enforced via these new policies. Today, the JPEO JTRS continues to achieve cost savings and avoidance as evidenced by the following: • Configuration Steering Boards: To date, the five acquisition category 1D [ACAT 1D] programs under the centralized management of the JPEO JTRS have achieved over $500 million [FY11-17] of cost avoidance with requirements deferral and de-scope approved at the Joint Staff level. • Program “Should Cost” Initiatives: During FY11, each of the five ACAT 1D programs established Should Cost targets that focus on approximately $300 million of cost savings [FY 12-17] through production efficiencies and competitive production contracting efficiencies. • Lean Six Sigma [LSS] Initiatives: In addition to the above, the JPEO JTRS instituted a series of LSS projects, several of which have already achieved cost savings targets of over $2 million. Moreover, the JPEO JTRS and OUSD (AT&L) have migrated current SDD acquisition strategies to the use of a non-developmental item acquisition model that promises to further reduce radio acquisition costs, leveraging industry investment while minimizing government costs and risk. www.GCT-kmi.com
Q: One of the key challenges facing warfighters is the load they must carry, which for some combatants tops 100 pounds. What areas do you see as promising for further reducing the weight of communications gear? A: The weight load carried by our warfighters is a major concern of every military commander and leader, including me. I am constantly challenging our engineers to find better ways of dealing with size, weight and power [SWaP] challenges to our soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. Battery weight load, in particular, has been, and continues to be, a challenge to the warfighter. Multiple radios for multiple missions require multiple battery types and lots of spares. Everybody ends up carrying spare batteries for the communicators. So, believe me, equipment weight challenges are top-of-mind with our engineers, industry partners and small business innovators. Efficiency of software and hardware is often overlooked or not directly tied to reduced power, but if we can do the same tasks or more with less power, we have effectively extended the battery life. We are developing batteries with advanced chemistries and electrolytes that deliver power over a longer period of time, reducing the need for extra batteries and extending mission life. We are working with a small business, through our Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer [SBIR/STTR] Program, to replace the metal radio case and battery bucket with a stronger, lighter composite material. We have several software initiatives that improve data throughput by improvements and enhancements to the waveforms. Increased efficiency equates to more information—voice communications and data—being transmitted using less power. We have funded the development of multi-core processors, referred to as massively parallel processing, with the potential to reduce power consumption by tenfold. Dividing computing tasks up among several processor cores has a significant impact on power consumption; again, an efficiency improvement that extends battery life. We are also developing multi-band antennas that comprise three bands in one antenna form factor. Q: Can solar energy recharging stations help to reduce both the number/size of batteries required to power comms gear, and to reduce the number of refueling convoys that often are a target of the enemy? A: Yes ... probably … eventually. In this arena we are fortunate to be supported by a robust SBIR/STTR effort focused on attacking SWaP from several directions, looking at new technologies that also include the possibility of incorporating solar technology components. For example, we are watching the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab current experimentation with rollup solar panels. They’re lightweight, each weighing just a few pounds added to the warfighter’s load, with each Marine carrying two of them. At this stage, however, looking at the current state of solar technology, incorporating individual solar power charging stations in the warfighter’s current equipment would actually increase the warfighter’s total weight load. On the positive side, solar technology does hold near-term positive possibilities for fixed-site charging stations and command posts. We are looking at several other opportunities to impact warfighter SWaP challenges, such as tactical packs and boots that also serve www.GCT-kmi.com
as built-in charging devices, eliminating the need to carry extra batteries, and incorporating antennas into other common parts of a warfighter’s gear, such as their flak vests. Q: How have tactical communications technology advances aided warfighters in clearing away the fog of war and increased knowledge at the edge as to enemy positions, movements, armament, intentions and more? And how has this advancing technology helped leaders command and control their forces? A: Advances in this area have had an immensely positive effect on the way we fight our battles. Modern combat radios are starting to offer a variety of functions that take place in the background without the user’s intervention or knowledge, freeing up their ability to focus on the objective ahead. Our radios today can act as communications repeaters and network-control devices to facilitate voice and data networking on the move, connecting our warfighters in the most austere conditions. Within such networks, each warfighter has the ability to seamlessly join the communications architecture with confidence that he or she will be able to pass on information no matter where they are located on the battlefield. Enhancement of situational awareness is one of the most important benefits of our modern-day radios. Many of our radios today are embedded with global positioning system sensors. This, in turn, assists commanders in obtaining a common operating picture which contains position location information of each soldier on the network, securely broadcasting that picture to the units on the field. Q: Do you have any closing thoughts as to the men and women of JPEO and the work they do to make better comms a reality? A: I mentioned at the beginning of the interview my three priorities upon assuming the JPEO position. My third priority is to take care of the people and again, it is closely linked to both delivering current capability as well as developing a strategy for the future. As the organization evolves, it is increasingly clear that we absolutely must retain the networking expertise and talent resident in the current JPEO JTRS organization—it will be fundamental to our success moving forward. This includes both pure technical/systems engineering personnel as well as our acquisition and contracts professionals. The journey of JTRS has not been without its bumps and bruises. But the intellectual capital that has been built up within the JTRS organization is vitally important. Without it, cost reductions and the move toward true secure tactical interoperability become more challenging—regardless of radio hardware type. To that end, we have strived to continue the press on DAU/ professional certifications for our government staff, open new opportunities for internships, both within staff and PMOs as well as short-term tours in the Pentagon, and offer opportunities for Joint Professional Military Education slots—e.g., Industrial College for the Armed Forces. As the organization evolves, we need to retain and grow the expertise where we need it most, adapt it where we can, reward our top performers and offer meaningful career avenues for some that have skill sets targeted toward organizations requiring a heavier R&D/traditional acquisition need. O GCT 3.2 | 19
Network Integration Evaluation By Henry Canaday GCT Correspondent
The U. S. Army’s Network Integration Evaluation (NIE) 13.1 will take place in October and November 2012 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range, N.M. It will be a very ambitious test, but tightly focused on certain needs, or gaps, the Army has identified in network requirements.
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NIEs, part of the Agile Process, are a series of semi-annual evaluations designed to integrate and mature the Army’s tactical network, explained Paul Mehney, chief of public communications for the System of Systems Integration (SOSI) Directorate, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology. “During evaluations, the Army integrates the network capability and uses a full brigade combat team to assess network and non-network capabilities to determine implications for doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, education, personnel and facilities,” Mehney said. “NIE assesses potential capabilities in a robust operational environment to determine whether they perform as needed, conform to the network architecture and are interoperable with existing systems.” NIE 12.1, completed last fall, concentrated on extending network connectivity to the soldier and advancing mission command on the move. It introduced industry participation in NIEs and included risk-reduction efforts in integrating Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 2 into the network baseline. NIE 12.2, set for May 2012 at White Sands Missile Range, will focus on solidifying the network baseline with the addition of WIN-T Increment 2 and validating connectivity, architecture and components of Capability Set 13, the integrated group of network technologies to be fielded to brigade combat teams starting in 2013. NIE 13.1 will be the final verification of Capability Set 13 network capabilities. It will evaluate technologies in the following categories: • Multi-Channel Tactical Radio • Mission Command on the Move • Low-Cost, Low Size Weight and Power Tactical Cross Domain Solution • Joint Participation Capability for U.S. and Allies • Aviation Extension • Small Form Factor, Modular Transit Case SatCom Terminal and Baseband • Mission Command In-Garrison Training • Improved Operational Energy Mehney said NIE 13.1 only seeks industry participants matched with the eight categories specified above, rather than the broader areas sought in earlier NIEs. These are gaps that remain to be filled. “In the first two NIEs, the Army established a network baseline and is now building upon it,” Mehney stressed. In addition to network needs, in NIE 13.1 the Army wants to test non-networked capabilities such as operational energy solutions. The Army is only seeking solutions in these eight categories that have developed representative models or prototype systems and have been tested in a relevant environment. That is, the solution must be at Technical Readiness Level 6 or better. www.GCT-kmi.com
Like all NIEs, 13.1 does not oblige the government to buy anything, and private participants must shoulder the entire financial burden of submitting white papers for consideration, demonstrating their solutions at government facilities, submitting solutions for laboratory tests, training soldiers in operation and participating in the event. More than 140 white papers, the first step in seeking to participate in NIE 13.1, were received by SOSI and are now under review by a panel of experts. Since one firm can submit several white papers for several solutions, this does not mean 140 firms submitted. SOSI has posted a list of more than two dozen firms that have shown interest in NIE 13.1. These include major vendors such as BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins and Raytheon. The period for submission of white papers has closed. White papers are assessed according to several criteria, including compatibility with brigade combat team network architecture, functional maturity, technical innovation, cost and other burdens, operational performance, support requirements, ability to interface with commercial and military systems and the proposing firm’s capabilities. Once potential participants are selected from white-paper submissions, their candidate solutions will enter a robust laboratory assessment phase prior to selection into the NIE 13.1 event, Mehney noted. This laboratory assessment phase begins this spring at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Its evaluation criteria, in descending order, are integration potential, technical merit, cost and other burdens and maturity. Apart from its focus on eight categories or gaps, Mehney said NIE 13.1 will differ from earlier NIEs in several ways. Lessons have been learned from these events and incorporated into preparation of NIE 13.1. This experience will ensure that laboratory assessments, integration and network configuration management is completed by the Army Developmental Test Command for command, control, communication and computers prior to equipment arriving at Fort Bliss. Like NIE 12.2, NIE 13.1 will operate in a classified environment with secure data connections. And it will connect to higher-division headquarters, represented by the 101st Airborne Division. NIE 13.1 will require brigade, battalion and company command posts to move in uncooperative and unpredictable environments and then establish network connectivity quickly. In addition, a battalion-sized opposition force will be used in dynamic scenarios and free-play exercises with hybrid threats including conventional forces, insurgents and the local population. 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 1st Armored Division
Q& A
Armored Leader
General Hails Advances in Training and Strykers; Urges Improvements to Abrams, Bradley
Major General Dana J.H. Pittard Commander 1st Armored Division Major General Dana J.H. Pittard commands the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. He leads the 28,000 servicemembers at Fort Bliss as they train for combat deployments and other missions worldwide. Over his 31-year career, he has held a variety of troop and staff positions both in the United States and overseas. As a captain, he commanded three times at the company level in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Berlin Brigade, and in the 1st Armored Division during Operation Desert Storm. As a lieutenant colonel, he commanded one of the first Stryker-equipped battalions. As a colonel, he led the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Kosovo in 2002 and Iraq’s Diyala province in 2004-2005. He returned to Iraq in 2006, as a brigadier general, to lead the training and advising mission for the new Iraqi Army. Pittard has served in unique staff positions including military aide to the president of the United States. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and the Army’s Command & General Staff College. He was also a fellow at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. His personal awards and decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal; four Legions of Merit; four Bronze Star Medals including one for Valor; the Combat Action Badge; Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Badge; and Ranger Tab.
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Q: It has been more than a year since you assumed command of the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. What changes have you made in your command? A: These are some of our initiatives to date: •
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Investing $500 million to modernize our training facilities in order to provide the best, most realistic training environment possible for our 28,000 servicemembers and the thousands of reservists and National Guard soldiers who mobilize and deploy through Fort Bliss; Establishing a combat-focused attitude within 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss; Establishing a culture of dignity and respect for all military, family members, civilian employees and visitors to Fort Bliss; Helping to establish Fort Bliss as one of the nations’ key power projection installations;
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Increasing the level of physical fitness for the entire Fort Bliss community; Increasing the level of training at home station (platoon level through brigade level training); Strengthening the relationship with the El Paso and southern New Mexico community.
Q: For a commander, it is vital to know the location and movements of your soldiers in theater. How do you rate radio frequency tags, FM radio communications, defense tracking and reporting systems, and the Joint Deployment Logistics Module? A: Situational awareness is vital to every commander, regardless of what echelon he/she commands. The systems and equipment you mention are just a fraction of the vast logistical information management network the U.S. Army and our sister services incorporate into sustainment operations to maximize situational awareness and more importantly, provide commanders with an increased level of situational understanding. Although commanders are being provided an enormous amount of data, these types of systems mentioned help shape this knowledge into something commanders can readily utilize www.GCT-kmi.com
U.S. Army 1st Armored Division with regards to mission command [formerly known as command and control]. Mission command blends the art of command and the science of control to integrate the war fighting functions to accomplish the mission. These sustainment information tools provide commanders with the necessary detailed systems and procedures required for the science of control. As we move forward, the U.S. Army continues to strive for the finest technological tools to increase every commander’s situational awareness through the continued investment in such items as counter-intrusion detection devices, or CIDDs, and the Battle Command Sustainment Support System, or BCS3. I have no doubt commanders will continue to receive the technological support and investment necessary to maintain the U.S. Army as the preeminent force of decisive action.
Q: The M1A2 Abrams has been a mainstay of armored forces. Is there any improvement you would like to see in the Abrams?
Q: Are you satisfied with the weapons that your soldiers carry, or do you see room for improvements?
A: I am not sure; however, I would hope that we can keep the Abrams tank production line operational—we may need more tanks in the future.
A: The four most commonly carried by not only our dismounted infantry soldier but all soldiers and leaders are all exceptional and battle-tested. They have all seen improvements and modifications over the years that allow them to remain reliable and relevant. The M4 rifle [5.56 mm] continues to be the weapon of choice for the U.S. Army soldier. When properly maintained, it provides both accurate and a sustained rate of fire during close quarter battle/maneuver as well as at ranges in excess of 500 meters with the increased capabilities of the various optics available. The squad automatic weapon was fielded to the force in the late ’80s and provides an exceptional light machine gun capability to the force. The commonalty of the 5.56 mm ammunition and its ability to be operated by one man are significant capabilities from logistical and manning points of view. The M240B 7.62 mm machine gun is a significant improvement from the M60 machine gun and provides an exceptional sustainable rate of fire at ranges up to and exceeding 1,000 meters. The M9 pistol is probably one of the most debated weapons of choice for the U.S. Army due to a lack of confidence in its stopping power. Its 15-round magazine capacity and ease of reloading allow the M9 to remain a proven performer since its induction in 1980. Q: How about gear attached to those weapons, such as sights, lights and rangefinders. Are there any upgrades you would like to see here? A: Generally speaking, the increased technologies and options made available to soldiers in regards to day and night sights, as well as increased laser technologies, have arguably made the U.S. infantry squad the most lethal fighting formation on the modern battlefield. A combination of advanced combat optical gunsights, or ACOGs, electro-optical or EOTECH, and M68 optics across a formation allow for a mix of close-quarter and long-range fires capabilities that are well suited to the multiple potential scenarios our soldiers faced in Iraq, are currently facing in Afghanistan and will likely continue to face in the future. The increased ability of combatant commanders due to rapid purchases and fielding of the newest and most lethal sights and lasers available on the commercial market—as well as the continued efforts of research and development as part of the Army procurement program at large—remain critical to ensuring our soldiers remain properly equipped. www.GCT-kmi.com
A: Operational energy is an area where there can be revolution in the M1A2. The weapons systems, optics and communications have improved significantly since 1991 when I fought on an Abrams tank in Operation Desert Storm. Today, we need to find a way to reduce the fuel consumption on the tank. Q: There has been discussion of shutting down Abrams production for three years, with hopes of restarting production in 2016. Would resumption of production be a simple matter after three years of darkened facilities?
Q: Is there any improvement to the Bradley fighting vehicle that you would like to see that could benefit soldiers? A: A more modernized fire control system and optics that are on par with the Abrams tank. IQPC-NY Military Vehicles Expo Ground Com Ad 1.1:Layout 1 12-04-16 3:37 PM
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GCT 3.2 | 23
U.S. ARMY 1st Armored Division
Command
CSM Ronnie R. Kelley Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard Command Sergeant Major Commander 1st Armored Division 1st Armored Division
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Col. Kenneth Adgie Commander 1st Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division (Stryker)
CSM Russell Reimers Command Sergeant Major 1st Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division (Stryker)
Col. Daniel Pinnell Commander 2nd Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division
CSM Arthur A. Connors Command Sergeant Major 2nd Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division
Col. Mark Landes Commander 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division (Infantry)
CSM Richard Capps Command Sergeant Major 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division (Infantry)
Col. D. Scott McKean Commander 4th Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division
CSM Thomas Eppler Command Sergeant Major 4th Brigade Combat Team 1st Armored Division
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Brig. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Deputy Commanding General (Operations) 1st Armored Division
Col. (P) Michael D. Lundy Deputy Commanding General (Sustainment) 1st Armored Division
Col. James B. Mingo Chief of Staff 1st Armored Division
Col. Lonnie Hibbard Commander Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Armored Division
CSM Donald Rose Command Sergeant Major Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Armored Division
Col. David M. Hamilton Commander 212th Fires Brigade 1st Armored Division
CSM Jesus DeGracia Command Sergeant Major 212th Fires Brigade 1st Armored Division
Col. James R. Ryan Commander 15th Sustainment Brigade 1st Armored Division
CSM Larry Parks Command Sergeant Major 15th Sustainment Brigade 1st Armored Division
Col. Karen Wrancher Commander HQ and HQ Battalion 1st Armored Division
CSM Dana Mason Command Sergeant Major HQ and HQ Battalion 1st Armored Division
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U.S. ARMY 1st Armored Division Q: Are there any improvements to the Stryker vehicle that you would like to see? How do you assess the current variants when compared to the version you had as a battalion commander in 2001? A: The original design and current version of the Stryker is an exceptional platform and has had a variety of upgrades since I was in the first Stryker BCT in 2001. In general, the commonalities of all nine variants in regards to suspension, power pack and C4ISR systems allow for a reduced logistical requirement and increased sustainability. It also allows individual soldiers and leaders to master the systems regardless of the variant. I would like to highlight a few of the significant ones that have increased both the survivability and lethality of the vehicle: The blast mitigation seats and double V-Hull are undoubtedly the most significant General Ray Odierno, Army chief of staff, visits with personnel of the 1st Armored Division at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. and recent upgrades [in the past 24 months] [Photo courtesy of DoD] that have provided significant survivability to facilities, etc., and we strive to align our operating hours to the needs the vehicle, crew and infantry soldiers based on the increased usage of our community. Another area is reducing the number of soldiers and threat of IEDs used by the enemy in our current conflict in who are no-shows for medical appointments; each missed appointment Afghanistan. costs hundreds of dollars. Now, commanders and first sergeants are Earlier Stryker modifications, the squad protection kit and slat given a report of pending appointments to help plan soldiers’ schedarmor, provided increased protection to the exposed crewmembers ules. Finally, we are conserving energy and recycling more than ever. during vehicular movement and mounted patrols from both direct small arms fire and RPG attacks. Q: Have you begun any work on energy efficiency—new energy From a mobility perspective, improvements in the engine, transsources and fuels at Fort Bliss? mission and suspension as the weight of the vehicle has increased have allowed the Stryker to continue to be highly mobile in any combinaA: Fort Bliss has been designated by the Army as a Pilot Integrated tion of road and off road movement/maneuver. Net Zero Installation to achieve net zero status in energy, water and The C4ISR systems have received continuous upgrades in software waste by 2020. Fort Bliss aims to achieve net zero energy by 2015 to be as technologies have advanced over the past 10 years, increasing the followed by net zero water and waste by 2018. This program is the tip range and digital capabilities of the overall system. The Harris radio, of the spear for the Army push to become energy, water and waste effiblue force tracker and FBCB2 are just a few of the exceptional systems. cient and secure across its infrastructure. As Fort Bliss’s population has If I had to suggest one area that needs improvement it would be tripled to 28,000 servicemembers, we are building new on-post housthe Recon variant of the Stryker and the lack of a vehicle commander’s ing. Recently we sent a request for qualification for housing developers hatch on the left front of the vehicle. I would strongly recommend it to build an 1,800-home NetZero community. We are partnering with be modified to have a hatch similar to that of the infantry or command private industry to achieve our renewable energy goals with minimal variant. impact to taxpayers. We need about 90 megawatts of renewable energy to be self-sustaining. We will use a combination of solar, wind, and Q: Plans have been advanced for defense spending cuts totaling $450 waste-to-energy investments to reach our NetZero goals. Additionally, billion to $1 trillion over this decade. Has your command already we’re instilling a culture of conservation and recycling. The proceeds made efficiency or cost-cutting moves? from our recycling efforts go to our family and morale, welfare and recreation funds. We are striving for $1 million from our recycling A: We have made several moves towards increased fiscal responsibility in 2012. Finally, we are planting 20,000 trees by 2014 to reduce our at Fort Bliss. The first thing we did was review all of our contracts. We carbon footprint and increase usage of our limited green spaces on our streamlined the number of contracts for the same product/service. For arid West Texas post. instance, instead of each brigade having their own separate contract for phones and BlackBerry, we have consolidated them at installation level Q: Do you have any closing thoughts? and received a better package from our carriers. We are also relooking at our redundant contracts for copier machines, ground maintenance A: I am proud to serve as the commander of 1st Armored Division and and even port-a-potties; there are a lot of improvements and cost saving Fort Bliss. Serving the soldiers, families and civilians of 1st Armored measurements we can do at our level. Additionally, we look closely at Division and Team Bliss is both a privilege and honor. O usage for everything from gyms, access control points, pools, medical 26 | GCT 3.2
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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 CALENDAR & DIRECTORY Advertisers Index
Calendar
Golight............................................................................................................ 9
April 30-May 2, 2012 USMC Systems Command Program Executive Officer, Land Systems 2012 APBI Norfolk, Va. www.ndia.org/meetings/2900/
June 19-20, 2012 AUSA ILW Army Combined Arms Maneuver Symposium & Expo Kansas City, Kan. www.ausa.org
June 4-8, 2012 GEOINT Community Week Washington, D.C. area www.usgif.org
July 11-12, 2012 Military Vehicles Exhibition & Conference Detroit, Mich. www.militaryvehiclesexpo.com
www.golight.com Leupold......................................................................................................... C4 www.leupold.com Military Vehicles Exhibition and Conference.............................................. 23 www.militaryvehiclesexpo.com/gct Precision Remotes....................................................................................... 13 www.precisionremotes.com
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INDUSTRY INTERVIEW
Ground Combat Technology
Bruce R. DeWitt Vice President and General Manager ATK Armament Systems Division Q: What are some of the new technologies you are developing?
Bruce R. DeWitt, vice president and general manager, ATK Armament Systems, formerly served as vice president and general manager for the ATK Advanced Weapons Division. He previously held senior leadership positions in ATK. Q: Could you describe the ATK Armament Systems history with the military community? A: ATK was launched as an independent company in 1990, when Honeywell spun off its defense businesses. The ATK Armament Systems Division is a result of the recent restructuring where ATK’s Advanced Weapons Division (one of ATK’s original businesses) combined with the company’s Integrated Weapons Systems Division. This new organization designs, develops and produces innovative products and system improvements that give the warfighter a battlefield advantage. Key products include 120 mm tank ammunition, precision guidance kits for artillery and mortar cartridges, as well as a range of medium caliber ammunition, Bushmaster series cannons and the M242 25 mm and MK44 cannons for domestic and international customers. Q: What does the new division bring to the customer? A: Our mission centers on delivering innovative and affordable solutions that maximize customer effectiveness. The combination of our two organizations provides our common customers with a more singular and efficient business partner. By combining our design, engineering, integration, production and logistical functions, we are positioned to not only be more cost competitive, but also more responsive and more innovative in our approach to bring next generation products to market more quickly. Additionally, we are finding efficiencies within our organization that will help us maintain our high level of product quality and reliability. With this focus, Armament Systems is positioned as a defense industry leader that is ready to meet not only near-term requirements, but also 28 | GCT 3.2
future challenges. Given the expectation of reduced defense budgets, combining our strengths within ATK sets us on the path to future success as a business and as a partner of choice. Q: What are some of your legacy products? A: ATK has led production of medium caliber ammunition to include: 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm and light weight 30 mm of all types. Our Bushmaster medium caliber gun systems are produced and tested at our Mesa, Ariz., facility. Additionally, our cannons are sold in more than 33 countries and are the primary gun on Bradley fighting vehicles and the Apache helicopter for the U.S. Army. Q: How are you positioned for the needs of the military in terms of drivers for technology acquisitions in the near future? A: At ATK, we have a heritage of developing products and technological improvements that meet warfighter requirements and are easily integrated into combat platforms and tactics. As an example, our precision guidance kit for artillery and the XM395 precision mortar have proven that they are ready for fielding and will enable the Army to transform its existing inventory of 155 mm artillery and 120 mm mortar rounds into GPS-guided, precision weapons by simply changing the fuze. Additionally, we are in the engineeringmanufacturing-designing [EMD] phase for the next-generation 120 mm kinetic energy round—M829E4. This new round will enable the Abrams tank to maintain battlefield dominance through the ability to not only defeat current enemy armor but also future threat armor capabilities.
A: Currently we are working with the U.S. Army to finalize development of its XM25 individual semi-automatic airburst system. The XM25 consists of a rifle that fires a 25 mm airbursting round that is programmed by the weapon’s integrated target acquisition and fire control system to explode directly above an intended target. While the program is in the EMD phase, it also recently completed a forward operational assessment [FOA] conducted by the Army in Afghanistan, where it provided soldiers with a well-documented tactical edge. Additionally, the user feedback is helping speed the development process for Army-wide fielding. Additionally, the division was selected as the sole manufacturer of 30 mm air bursting munitions for medium caliber cannons. This capability provides increased lethality and flexibility to the warfighter and can be integrated into a range of combat platforms, both air and land. Our XM395 precision mortar cartridge for the Army’s Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative also successfully completed an FOA with the Army in Afghanistan. Initial quantities of the round—which provides the battlefield commander with 10-meter accuracy—were fielded under an urgent material request. Given the weapon’s battlefield success and our organization’s ability to move the program from development to initial fielding within a year, we are looking forward to the Army’s decision to allow fielding across the force. With precision guidance, fuzing and warhead development as our core capabilities, we are continually looking at ways to provide our warfighters with a tactical advantage. Some of our efforts include investigating how to integrate a guidance capability into a range of indirect fire and direct fire munitions, as well as ammunition for small arms weapons. At Armament Systems, we are always looking to our customers to understand their requirements and offer affordable and reliable solutions. O www.GCT-kmi.com
NEXTISSUE
June 2012 Volume 3 Issue 3
Cover and In-Depth Interview with:
William E. Taylor
PEO Land Systems U.S. Marine Corps Special JLTV Issue
The definitive guide to the JLTV program JLTV Program Overview This procurement effort—attracting sudden intense interest from industry—can benefit warfighters in multiple ways, providing safer rides in a world filled with IEDs, plus a smoother ride, greater fuel efficiency, better performance on- and off-road, and more.
JLTV Systems What systems might be fitted on the JLTV? We look at weapons, communications, protective systems and much more.
JLTV Variations With two versions of the planned JLTV, multiplied by six rival companies vying in the program, times several variants, there are multiple possibilities for this future workhorse of U.S. ground forces.
Features Ground Vehicle Subsystems
Colonel Peter Newell
The Army is poised to replace the M2 Bradley fighting vehicle with a new-design ground combat vehicle. So what will the GCV provide for warfighters in future conflicts? Take a close look at competing proposals for this new machine of war.
Director Army Rapid Equipping Force
Coatings and Corrosion Prevention Aside from the Taliban, there is another enemy that is destroying U.S. military vehicles, planes and more: Combating corrosion is critical for the Department of Defense, which shells out a staggering $22.9 billion every year to repair corroded vehicles, aircraft and other items. We look at how the armed services tackle the problem. Insertion Order Deadline: May 8, 2012
Bonus Distribution: Eurosatory 2012 Military Vehicles Conference
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