by Cheryl Marino
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 26, 2024) — Often when you think of “green,” it is forest preservation, clean water, environmental protection, wildlife and sustainable fishing—not the U.S Army. According to AL&T editor-in-chief, Nelson McCouch III, “Although the mission of the Army is to fight and win this nation’s wars, you don’t have to pollute and waste to do so. As a matter of fact, conservation is, as they say, a combat multiplier.”
As outlined in the 2022 Army Climate Strategy, “As the Army invests in modernization, readiness and operations, it aims to create land forces that meet current needs while securing a sustainable, cleaner tomorrow”. A green Army that reduces waste is more efficient, reduces military lines of communication (air, sea, land) supply requirements, and reduces the need of Soldiers to secure routes, shortages of supplies and vulnerability to enemy attack; ultimately saving lives.”
The spring issue explores the many ways the Army, through the direction of the Army Acquisition Executive, the Honorable Douglas R. Bush, along with the Army Acquisition Workforce and our industry partners, are creating and fielding technology to make the Army more effective and efficient. Read how:
- A new regulatory database for assured supply chains aims to prevent the deployment of suspect harmful chemicals into the environment in PREVENTION IS THE BEST DEFENSE.
- Find out how the Project Director Joint Services team turns waste into valuable products for sustainable munitions production in A GREENER ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL BASE.
- Learn more about alternative technology solutions for the Army’s stockpile disposal of excess, obsolete and defective munitions in FROM OPEN TO CLOSED.
- A new hybrid H2 emergency vehicle brings the Army closer to reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Don’t miss H2 RESCUE MISSION.
- The DOD Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration program can reduce burden and clear obstacles for identifying, validating and acquiring sustainable technologies. Read more in A GREEN TECH EASY BUTTON.
- Huntsville Center is focusing on climate change impacts in acquisition strategies, planning and infrastructure upgrades. Find out more in A CLIMATE RESILIENT ARMY.
- Upgrades to energy efficient technology help build a cleaner, healthier environment in ENERGY BOOST.
- SBIR|STTR and xTech programs support the Army Climate Strategy by pinpointing ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change while maintaining Soldier readiness in THE GREEN EDGE.
- The Army’s improved turbine engine supports the Army Climate Strategy. Don’t miss CLEANER AIR ON THE HORIZON.
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 Spring 2024 Issue
FROM THE AAE: THE GREEN MACHINE
The Army is using new environmental technology to become a leaner, meaner and greener fighting machine.
Army Regulation 70-1 delivers a foundational change in acquisition policy to the Adaptive Acquisition Framework through speed, tailoring and digital transformation.
THEME
PREVENTION IS THE BEST DEFENSE
A new regulatory database for assured supply chains, called TRND, will provide the munitions community with a tool for rapid assessment of the current munitions supply chain and analysis of novel emerging energetics.
A GREENER ORGANIC INDUSTRIAL BASE
By adopting sustainable production practices, the Army can organically increase the supply of critical chemicals and reduce the cost of waste disposal.
Investing in alternative, closed disposal technologies for the organic industrial base addresses a mandate driven by the proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule revision to maximize closed disposal technologies and minimize use of open burning and open detonation.
FACES OF THE FORCE: EVANGELINA TILLYROS
Never stop asking questions.
As climate change continues to pose a threat to our planet, the design and development of the H2Rescue—a zero-emission, hydrogen (H2) fuel cell-powered emergency vehicle will provide disaster relief, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The DOD Sustainable Technology Evaluation and Demonstration program provides a ready and agile solution that addresses needed actions in acquisition, logistics and technology to transition to more sustainable commercially available technologies.
Huntsville Center is focusing on climate change impacts in acquisition strategies, planning and infrastructure upgrades.
The EPA’s ENERGY STAR program provides a comprehensive checklist of energy-saving measures that businesses and commercial building owners can implement to reduce their energy usage, to help build a cleaner, healthier environment.
Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR|STTR) and xTech programs support the Army’s Climate Strategy by pinpointing ways to mitigate the impacts of climate change, while maintaining Soldier readiness.
The Army’s Improved Turbine Engine will provide Army aviation the power to operate in multidomain operations.
FACES OF THE FORCE: TOMMY WILLIAMS
It takes a team.
FEATURE ARTICLES
How the Army is embracing modern software development and acquisition practices to maintain a competitive edge.
Data transportation and maintenance: Getting battlefield data to the right place at the right time. Part three of a three part series
COMMAND AND CONTROL ON-THE-MOVE
Future combat operations require a unified network that gives commanders assured voice and data exchange, common operational picture, and access to offensive and defensive digital fires.
FACES OF THE FORCE: BRYCE BETZ
X-Y-Z is easy as 1-2-3.
The evolution and impact of MilTech.
The Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical Global Enterprise Network Modernization ‒ OCONUS works to make it easy to plug into the unified network from anywhere in the world.
The Army Medical Logistics Command is using data to allow decision-makers at echelon to anticipate and position lifesaving materiel during large-scale combat operations.
After other methods fail, xTech helps Project Manager for Soldier Lethality find potential industry partners for the Precision Grenadier System.
FACES OF THE FORCE: ELIAS VAINCHENKER
Shift with the wind.
AGILE ACQUISITION … FOR HARDWARE?
Agile processes using minimum viable product strategies enable hardware development to deliver capabilities at speed.
COMMENTARY
Ongoing European operations confirm logistics is a critical warfighting function.
WORKFORCE
FROM THE DACM: PIONEERING THE FUTURE WITH THE B-52 LEGACY
The B-52 is a living example of adaptability and innovation. Both government and industry partners are agile and innovative in reimagining the aircraft through its continuous updating process, with the warfighter in mind and an eye toward environmental sustainability.
From workforce education to continuous improvement to innovation, these best practices underscore the Army’s commitment to reducing environmental impacts.
FACES OF THE FORCE: LILIAN RODRIGUEZ
Master gunner, trainer, yogi.
CAREER NAVIGATOR: RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT DAYS
A look at one Army acquisition leader’s efforts to recruit and retain an engaged workforce.
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