ARMY AL&T
(USMC), U.S. Air Force (USAF), and Missile Defense Agency (MDA). AIMB members are experts in such areas as energetic materials (e.g., high explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics), warhead and propulsion development, IM technology, weapon system design, hazard classification (HC), and vulnerability. The Board provides technical assistance and/or guidance to PEOs and PMs at each step in a weapon system’s life cycle.
AIMB’s Role Within the Acquisition Management Framework
According to Department of the Army Pamphlet 70-3, Section 10-44, the plan- ning and execution of an IM program plan should be initiated at the start of a munition acquisition program and continue through production and fielding of the munition. The AIMB performs tasks that are critical to the effectiveness of the Army’s IM thrust, primarily within the munition acquisi- tion process, as illustrated in Figure 1 on Page 45.
The AIMB provides technical advice to the acquisition manager by suggesting IM technical approaches to mitigate
From its inception, the AIMB has been an advocate for the programs that seek technical advice on, support for, and approval of their endeavors to comply with IM policy.
munition reactions to unplanned stimuli and identifies potential and/or exist- ing technology gaps that may impede development of less sensitive muni- tions. The AIMB monitors emerging IM technologies in the areas of muni- tion design, energetic materials, and packaging, and it develops recommen- dations that assist acquisition managers in achieving IM objectives. Prior to a program’s Critical Design Review (CDR), the AIMB reviews the IM threat hazard assessments, test plans, test reports for munitions, and any other relevant documents. The reviews are conducted at key points during the planning and execution of the acqui- sition program. The AIMB assesses the compliance of munitions with IM requirements, reviews test results of munitions for which official Army IM test scores are derived, and pro- motes the integration of IM and HC testing. Another of the Board’s key
FIGURE 2. AIMB ROLE WITHIN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
responsibilities throughout the acquisi- tion management process is the review of IMSPs and the supporting IM Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms). As stated previously, the AIMB pro- vides IM technical guidance to PEOs and PMs in the development of their IMSPs. This guidance serves to help coordinate and maximize the benefit of IM-related endeavors for the Army’s munitions portfolio. The Board also aids PEOs and PMs in achieving their IM goals by assisting with prioritiza- tion of new IM technologies and their implementation into munitions systems and by providing advice regarding cost- effective methodologies. The AIMB’s role within the strategic planning pro- cess is illustrated in Figure 2 below.
Working within the IMSP, PEOs and PMs develop POA&Ms for their priority munitions with the intent of improving the munition’s IM char- acteristics. The AIMB reviews the POA&Ms to ensure that the informa- tion presented regarding the munitions’ program status, system description, threat hazards, IM test results, technical approach, schedule, funding, procure- ment, and impacts will succeed in improving the IM characteristics of the subject munition. As an advocate for its constituent programs and the PEOs and PMs, the AIMB encourages fre- quent coordination between the Board and PMs in the development of IMSPs and POA&Ms to ensure that the Army’s IM requirements are properly addressed and munitions acquisition is not adversely impacted.
Advocate for IM Compliance From its inception, the AIMB has been an advocate for the programs that seek
46 APRIL –JUNE 2010
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72
