From the Editor-in-Chief I
n this issue, we focus on how Army acquisition creates and sustains an efficient force. What constitutes “effi- cient” is open to much interpretation and many, many studies. Generally, efficiency is seen as achieving a goal
with the fewest wasted resources, like time, energy or money. Way back at the dawn of the Industrial Age in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Frederick Winslow Taylor, an American mechanical engineer, precisely measured the time it took to perform specific tasks to find the “one best way” to complete a task. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, a husband-and- wife team who were both industrial engineers and efficiency experts, focused on understanding the motions involved in a task and improving them. Combined, they created the concept of a Time and Motion study that is still used today but, more refined, is commonly known as the Lean Six Sigma approaches to efficiency.
However, efficiency is not a straight line of time and motion—it has many tangents: Costs, open system architecture, contracting, longevity, sustainability, supply chain management, modularity and much more. Te Army is revolutionizing efficiencies across these areas through a focus on cost effectiveness, longevity and adaptability. Investing in durable, long-lasting technology and infrastructure ensures that resources are used optimally over time, reducing the need for frequent replacements (think M1 Abrams tank, CH-47 Chinook helicopter and the M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun). Modular systems, which can be easily upgraded or modified, enhance operational flexibility and readiness. Streamlining contracting processes and improving workforce efficiency leads to faster, more responsive procurement and deployment of resources. Supply chain logistics are a critical component, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of materials and equipment to where they are needed most. Innovations such as 3D printing are transforming the production of ammunition and equipment, allowing for on-demand manufacturing and reducing dependency on traditional supply chains. Tis technology significantly cuts lead times and costs, enabling rapid adaption to changing battlefield conditions.
By integrating these elements, the Army aims to build a resilient, agile and sustainable acquisition frame- work. While we cannot cover all the efficiency initiatives the Army Acquisition Workforce is under- taking, a few are covered in detail in this issue and are quite interest- ing. For instance, for anyone who has ever pitched a camo net and hated every minute of it, there is help on the way. In “A Soldier-Led Solu- tion,” on Page 32, read about how the Marne Innovation Center at Fort Stewart, Georgia, partnered with the University of Florida to develop a new, more efficient camo net prototype called the Vehicle-Integrated Camouflage System. Tis adaptive ground-based mount for an armored vehicle cuts down the time and manpower used for setup by half. It takes less than 15 minutes to set up and can stay in place if the vehi- cle is moved. Magic! And, as mentioned above, the Army invests heavily in durable, long-lasting systems such as the M1 Abrams tank. A great current example of that is found on Page 42, in “AFATDS Gets an Upgrade.” Te article describes how Te Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)—the Army’s 30-year-old software for fires—is getting an upgrade. Te need for quick, effective and intuitive software that will help Soldiers execute fires is crucial to a unit’s ability to fight in fast-moving and large- scale combat operations. Finally, efficiency and sustainability don’t happen by themselves—it takes a trained, nimble workforce. Learn why the Army acquisition enterprise is well-situated to realize transformation in contact by devel- oping an agile—and, by extension, sustainable—workforce in “Manage the Load” on Page 20.
Email Nelson McCouch III @
armyalt@army.mil
As always, if you have a story, a story idea or just a general comment, contact us at
armyalt@army.mil. We look forward to hearing from you.
Nelson McCouch III Editor-in-Chief
https://
asc.ar my.mil
3
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 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104
