TRAINING FOR SUCCESS


not include a training device for Soldiers to gain system proficiency before using the tactical system in combat environments. Following an accidental discharge of a tactical BDM in theater, a safety investi- gation determined that improved training via a dedicated training device would have mitigated the potential for an accident. Te Army then developed the XM808 BDM 21 mm Sub-Caliber Trainer—with limited quantities produced—to become part of the Infantry One Station Unit Training. It was fielded to Soldiers at Fort Benning in 2011.


Te XM808 trainer is unique in that it is reloadable and fires a practice train- ing rocket whereas the tactical system is a single-shot, disposable weapon. Te limited numbers of trainers were used to effectively train thousands of Soldiers. However, after several years of training, the outer tube began to show significant damage sustained from the repeated firing of the training rockets, which emit hot gases and burning particles. Tis created an unsafe condition for Soldiers during training, and in March 2019 the Army suspended XM808 live fire training.


PM CCS recognized that stopping training for any long period of time is unacceptable and immediately took action


to find a solution. Te PM teamed up with the contractor, Nammo, to develop an innovative change to the XM808 Sub- Caliber Trainer as a solution to absorb and dissipate the hot gases and pressure to minimize outer tube wear.


THE SOLUTION By May 2019, the XM808 integrated prod- uct team developed the removable outer tube sleeve to mitigate the damage to the XM808’s outer tube. Te sleeve consists of an aluminum nickel-teflon coated cylin- drical shield, designed to safely disperse the hot gases produced during firing, to protect the bore of the outer tube and extend the life of the XM808 training device. Te team conducted initial tests and performed comprehensive analysis in May and June 2019, validating the sleeve and ensuring it did not pose any safety or operational


issues to the XM808’s


function. Te government and contrac- tor team worked closely with ATEC and the TRADOC Safety Office to determine that the sleeve was safe to implement in the XM808 trainer. Upon receipt of the determination, the XM808 integrated product team considered multiple courses of action to determine reliability, dura- bility and service life of the sleeve. Te team also knew it would need to incor- porate updates to the equipment user


The XM808 trainer is unique in that it is reloadable and fires a practice training rocket whereas the tactical system is a single-shot, disposable weapon.


124 Army AL&T Magazine Fall 2020


Te collaborative assessment began in February 2020 with an overall objective to collect firing data; however, the team on the ground realized additional bene- fits from executing the data collection in conjunction with training. Te shoulder- launched munition committee instructors began to gain a much deeper understand- ing of the XM808 systems as the technical engineers collected firing data, took measurements, documented findings and shared some of their observations with the Soldiers. And as relationships developed between the participants, there were often sidebar discussions on recommendations for how to improve the trainer design and operation in the field.


Sgt. 1st Class Carl Fitzwater, the Shoul- der Launched Munition Committee noncommissioned officer in charge, said, “Te [limited user assessment] is providing instructors with many new experiences from a variety of possible weapons malfunctions, increased mainte- nance expertise and overall capabilities of


guide and the technical manual. Te ulti- mate goal of these activities was to obtain a safety release of the XM808, which would include the tube sleeve as part of the complete training system, improve the system’s useful life, and reintroduce the XM808 live fire events in Infantry One Station Unit Training.


PATH FORWARD In September 2019, the integrated product team received approval from the Maneu- ver Center of Excellence and the 198th to collect firing data from the sleeve during training exercises. It worked with the 198th to maximize data collection without disrupting training, and the collabo- ration was critical to the success of the limited user assessment. It provided the data necessary to support an engineering change proposal for the sleeve design.


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