QUALITY CONTROL, CLOSE UP
FOCUS ON IMPLEMENTATION
To be very clear, the implementation of these quality audits is not a rejection of modern quality systems and a return to the old approach of trying to “inspect-in” quality to ammunition products. To the contrary, the audit process can be likened to inspection of the quality systems them- selves, to ensure that they are properly embraced and implemented. If the system doesn’t work right, chances are its prod- uct won’t work right, either.
PM CAS, the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineer- ing Center (ARDEC) of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineer- ing Command, and the Joint Munitions
BOTTOM LINE: PRODUCT QUALITY
Ultimately, the independent audit program established by PEO Ammo aims to ensure the quality of products such as these 155mm High Explosive shell bodies, shown undergoing heat treating at Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, PA. (Photo courtesy of Metro Communications Inc., Hampton, VA)
Command (JMC) all understand that the ammunition industrial base consists of a variety of suppliers, and that therefore no universal QMS exists. Our guiding princi- ple, therefore, is that each supplier will have sound procedures and processes for ensur- ing ammunition quality. The audit process is designed to ensure that these procedures are in place, understood by the supplier’s workforce, and used consistently.
PM CAS needed a quality paradigm shift to establish a proactive, not reactive, method of ensuring compliance with SCC requirements. The LSS projects needed to document submittals, as well as on the take place, contract language had to be
would be performed and access granted to all quality records. In many cases, this also down to ensure access to subcontractor facilities and records.
These projects created a process that has proven itself over time. It employs a PM CAS audit manager, who interfaces with ARDEC and JMC audit coordinators, audit team leaders, and team members. The teams consist of product quality managers from JMC and ARDEC sites, various integrated product team (IPT) members, subject-matter experts, rep- resentatives of other services such as the Marine Corps, and in-plant quality assur- ance representatives. These audits now also include participation from other PEO Ammo PMs, most notably PM Maneuver Ammunition Systems and PM Close Combat Systems.
HOW THE AUDIT WORKS Audit schedules are coordinated with and reviewed by the PM. The goal of PM CAS is to audit every ammunition sup- plier at least once every year, with priority placed on suppliers with SCC. The lead auditor prepares the audit plan, obtaining input from various IPT members from each functional area.
The key to achieving this ambitious goal was the collaboration of the Product and JMC. A joint standard operating procedure (SOP) was created that calls - dures, contract language, audit plans, and reporting formats. This SOP has been improved over time to ensure consistent QMS requirements.
PM CAS also facilitated close collabo-
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Army AL&T Magazine
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