by Cheryl Marino
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 3, 2023) — The Army of today, as well as the Army of 2030 and beyond, all depend upon the quality, strength and speed of the industrial base to produce and collaborate. According to AL&T editor-in-chief Nelson McCouch III, “productive partnerships between industry (large and small), the Army staff, other services, academia and allies and partners must be cultivated.” The most recent example of the effectiveness and importance of a robust relationship between all parties is the continuing support that the U.S. is able to provide to Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia. It’s a massive effort, but with extraordinary results.
The fall edition of Army AL&T magazine explores of the ways in which fostering partnerships with academia and industry through congressionally-approved acquisition “pathways” and connecting small businesses with the U.S. Army through xTech competitions, spurs innovation by collaborating with an innovative industrial base. Read how:
- AMC is modernizing facilities, processes and the artisan workforce to ensure the Army’s organic industrial base can meet the needs of the future force in a multidomain operations environment in OUR NATIONAL INSURANCE POLICY.
- Biotechnology is key to sustainable domestic production of high-value defense materials. Learn how in GROW YOUR OWN SUPPLY CHAIN.
- ASA(ALT)’s Army SBIR CATALYST Program incentivizes collaboration with industry to overcome transition barriers and build the Army of 2030. Get the details in OVERCOMING THE VALLEY OF DEATH.
- PEO Aviation creates a defense industrial base risk management team to shore up the supply chain for parts of the Army’s rotary wing fleet. Don’t miss A WEAK LINK TIGHTENED.
- Two organizations attained synergy to achieve success in separate but associated acquisition programs. Learn more in SEPARATE BUT TOGETHER.
As always, Army AL&T relies on contributions from you, members of the Army Acquisition Workforce and our stakeholders. For more information on how to publish an article in Army AL&T magazine, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/ to see our writers’ guidelines, upcoming deadlines and themes.
Army AL&T Fall 2023 Issue
FROM THE AAE
COLLABORATION AND THE INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL BASE
In acquisition, we continue to collaborate closely with Army stakeholders, our sister services, Congress and our industrial base partners to find innovative solutions to our challenges. This increased communication and collaboration has led to remarkable success and momentum in our modernization program.
COLLABORATION AND THE INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL BASE
Army Materiel Command (AMC) is modernizing facilities, processes and artisan workforce to ensure the Army’s organic industrial base can accommodate the needs of the future force in a multidomain operations environment.
Biotechnology is key to sustainable domestic production of high-value defense materials. The Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Chemical Biological Center stands poised to function as DOD’s go-to agency for enhancing and scaling up the manufacture of high-value chemicals and materials of military value for hand-off to industry.
FACES OF THE FORCE: MARTIN “MARTY” ZYBURA
Focus makes perfect.
OVERCOMING THE VALLEY OF DEATH
The Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a new ASA(ALT)-led mechanism designed to further accelerate and support disruptive innovation while cultivating collaboration with the defense industrial base.
The Army’s rotary wing industrial base is facing long-term challenges at all levels, and they are probably going to get worse before they get better. The Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation is taking proactive measures to analyze aviation supply chains to identify and mitigate problems early.
The structure of the chartered missions of PEOs and project managers within Army acquisition could present challenges when developing individual items that are reliant on one another to operate. By taking appropriate measures and joining expertss from both organizations into one cross-functional integrated product team, both organizations were able to attain a synergy that resulted in the successful execution of two separate but associated acquisition programs.
FACES OF THE FORCE: WANDA DUNN
Courage to change.
FEATURE ARTICLES
The Joint PEO for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense fills a gap in Europe with rapid delivery of a lifesaving antidote.
The demand signal for data: Getting battlefield data to the right place at the right time.
Leaders push continuous integration/continuous deployment model and mindset to transform the Army’s cultural, process and technological foundations.
FACES OF THE FORCE: KENNETH B. HURBAN
History in the making.
The Army’s Pathfinder Program encourages college students to pursue federal careers in cybersecurity and emerging technology fields.
A tech expert from the PEO for Command, Control, Communications – Tactical explains how digital engineering can be used across the acquisition enterprise.
How milSuite is helping shape the future of the Army and DOD.
The Vaccine Acceleration by Modular Progression (VAMP) program takes an agile approach to accelerate the delivery of vaccines against priority threats.
FACES OF THE FORCE: ERIKA CURRY
Control your destiny.
DIGITAL ENGINEERING LEARNING CURVE
The PEO for Ground Combat Systems receives training on emerging digital design efforts and the digital acquisition strategy in the XM30 combat vehicle program.
A regional contracting center was established to support forward operating stations in Eastern Europe, enabling friendly forces to reinforce the European theater’s response to Russian aggression.
COMMENTARY
THE ENDURING NEED FOR C51SR SUSTAINMENT
A robust and agile C51SR supply chain serves as a necessary insurance policy for warfighters of today and tomorrow.
WORKFORCE
FROM THE DACM: THE ARMY ACQUISITION TEAM
Our Army acquisition professionals are integrators, responsible for managing and building requirements, providing Soldier touch points and making sure everything is moving forward. Our relationship with industry has evolved, too. Today, our success depends on industry’s capability to deliver.
A DIGITAL JOURNEY TO TRANSFORM THE WORKFORCE
The Army promotes a culture of learning by providing training to upskill the acquisition workforce on new digital technologies.
Udemy training provides a digital transformation solution for the acquisition workforce.
FACES OF THE FORCE: EMMA WILSON
Let it grow.
A BATTLE OF PAY SYSTEMS: GS VS. ACQDEMO
Various government agencies are shifting away from the traditional GS pay system to contribution-based pay.
A competitive program links DOD and the tech world, ensuring service members have timely access to cutting-edge technology across the U.S. military at commercial speeds.
CIVILIAN WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE
The Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot has begun, setting the stage for a new generation of DOD civilian leaders.
Training With Industry program provides valuable opportunities for Soldiers.
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