U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC), and our industry partners through industry days spanning our entire portfolio and engagements of more targeted scope (National Defense Industrial Association confer- ences, market surveys, project industry days, etc.) to get each organization to spend its limited RDT&E funds on the techni- cal solutions that can meet these gaps. We motivate them to invest by showing them the Army’s path forward—specifically, the capability gaps we are trying to address for the warfighter.
Tis targeted development helps refine and advise the require- ment as it’s being developed and staffed, ensuring that the solution is feasible. It also can accelerate the acquisition devel- opment phase, shortening the time from concept to fielding.
Our primary vehicle to share and partner in the development of new solutions is the cooperative research and development agree- ment (CRADA). Under a CRADA, government and industry can share ideas and test theories that minimize program risk for each party and ensure the best solution. Tis approach was initiated several years ago, and we believe it will deliver timely solutions to meet urgent warfighter needs.
LARGE-CALIBER ALTERNATIVES Te product manager for large-caliber ammunition (Product Manager LC) continuously works with industry to maintain critical capabilities and opportunities for competition. Firing projectiles from cannons at high speed is a unique function. As such, there is little to no demand in the commercial market- place for certain components and materials used in large-caliber ammunition. Product Manager LC works with suppliers to ensure that budgets and requirements stay at levels appropriate both for Army requirements and industry sustainability. While maintaining this balance, Product Manager LC also has worked to sustain two qualified system-integrating contractors. Tis facilitates competition, which drives more innovation in devel- opmental programs and lowers costs in production.
Armor-piercing tank cartridges are one of the last military uses for depleted uranium. No other material has demonstrated the same lethality against hard targets, which makes it a criti- cal component for Product Manager LC. However, working with depleted uranium requires special licensing and handling procedures. While some commercial applications exist, the commercial workload alone will not sustain a full-time depleted uranium supplier. Realizing this, Product Manager LC began working with Aerojet Ordnance Tennessee Inc. in 2012 to reduce its manufacturing footprint by approximately 46,000
VICTIM OF ITS OWN SUCCESS The medium-caliber ammunition family, used with medium handheld and crew-served weapons, includes armor-piercing, high-explosive, smoke, il- lumination, training and anti-personnel cartridges to defeat light-armored targets. The medium-caliber ammunition industry was to some extent a victim of its own success: The Army was able to produce enough ammu- nition for active use and develop a healthy stockpile quickly enough that production has declined steadily since 2009. To preserve the industrial base, PD MC combined orders with those from other services and stuck with known suppliers. (U.S. Army photo)
BIG CALIBER, BIG CHALLENGES
The family of large-caliber ammunition for tanks faces two challenges: First, there’s almost no commercial market for it, so suppliers are wholly dependent on DOD sales. Second, large-caliber armor-piercing ammuni- tion is one of the last uses for depleted uranium, so suppliers need spe- cial licenses and again depend heavily on DOD sales. PM MAS helped one supplier reorganize its manufacturing space to cut overhead and operating costs so the supplier is less vulnerable to decreased demand. (U.S. Army photo)
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ACQUISITION
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