MODERNIZING PARTNERSHIPS
their resources and intellectual property—often through deep networks of prime contractors and subcontractors throughout the industrial base—companies have an increased stake in the outcome of the rapid prototyping process.
Te approach isn’t completely new, but more of a streamlined version. It’s still Army acquisition—with all of the responsibil- ities and safety concerns that come with providing a weapon to Soldiers. Yet in tailoring the traditional acquisition process to include unique authorities, abbreviated chain of command and rapid navigation or exemption from many of the traditional processes that govern a program of record, the RCCTO created a new relationship with industry that helps to break down barri- ers and allows innovation at the speed of relevance.
In this article, you’ll read about several of the key individuals at RCCTO who are implementing this new way of business, working with industry partners to execute rapid experimental prototypes and field residual combat capabilities to Soldiers.
Te RCCTO project office leads discuss how rapid prototyp- ing is helping the Army move faster and be a better partner for industry as they work together to deliver new weapons and technologies.
DR. CRAIG ROBIN, DIRECTED ENERGY PROJECT OFFICE
Te Directed Energy Project Office is charged with delivering the Army’s first meaningful laser weapon for tactical use: 50 kilowatt (kW)-class lasers integrated on a platoon of Strykers by the 2022 fiscal year. Te project office is also prototyping a 300 kW-class Indi- rect Fire Protection Capability – High Energy Laser for delivery to a platoon and partnering with the Air Force to deliver an Indirect Fire Protection Capability – High Power Microwave prototype, both in the 2024 fiscal year.
Robin: Directed energy is a completely new technology for the Army. Most other areas of modernization focus on the
SHOW AND TELL
In July, the RCCTO welcomed Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy to its new headquarters building at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
improvement of an existing weapon system, but directed energy represents a revolutionary change to the battlefield, while being a complementary capability to existing air defense weapon systems. Since directed energy is an emerging technology, the community is relatively small. Tis familiarity helps to enhance collaboration and coordination across the services and industry.
I began my career in the Air Force Research Laboratory, moved to industry, and then came back into the government with the Army. I know what it’s like to call a point of contact in the government and not get a response. And I know what it costs to pull together a white paper. Experience on both sides of this business gives me a unique perspective and the ability to effectively manage stake- holders across government and industry.
Lessons learned: Te acquisition model we use calls for co-invest- ment from industry in the early stages of prototype development,
AUGUST 2016 A TIMELINE RCCTO INDUSTRIAL BASE 16 Army AL&T Magazine
Secretary of the Army establishes the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO).
DECEMBER 2016
RCO office is chartered; directed to field electronic warfare (EW) capabilities to Europe.
JANUARY 2018
RCO fields EW prototypes to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.
Fall 2020
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