U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

FCT Experiences

Brian E. Placzankis

Weapons & Materials Research Directorate

U.S. Army Research Laboratory

Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Annual Business Meeting Tuesday, 29 April 2014Army Navy Country Club 1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

FCT Armor Objective

To rapidly validate and transition superior or promising foreign proven or produced

aluminum alloys to enable increased supply and flexibility of design for Program

Manager Offices using existing or new armor plate Military Specifications.

M2 Bradley/AMPV JLTV

2008 Alloy

• AA5059

2014 Alloys

• AA7017

• AA2139

• AA2060*

• AA6055*

* CTO Defense Acquisition Challenge

(DAC) Program Domestic Alloys

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Acquisition Strategy: The IPT

• ARL Weapons and Materials Research Directorate ARL Specifications & Standards Office

• Aluminum Plate Manufacturers Aleris Constellium

• Aberdeen Test Center

• BAE Systems and General Dynamics

• PEO Ground Combat Systems PM-ABCT

• TARDEC

• The Army Service Representative Randy Everett (RDECOM)

• OSD Representatives Bob Thompson Corrosion Policy & Oversight Office

• Other Participating Services USMC

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Test Strategy - Divide & Conquer

Weapons and Materials Research Directorate• Materials & Manufacturing Science Division

– Coatings, Corrosion, & Engineered Polymers Branch Corrosion Evaluations

– Lightweight & Specialty Metals Branch Fatigue Corrosion Fatigue Stress Corrosion Cracking

– Materials Response & Design Branch ARL Specifications & Standards

• Protection Division– Armor Mechanisms Branch

Ballistics

Aberdeen Test Center Ballistic Shock Weld Qualifications

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Armor Plate Transition Strategy

• Dependent Upon PMO Mission Needs New Acquisition

Repairs to Current Systems

• Build Awareness of Availability & Improved Capabilities Military Specifications & Standards

IPT Meetings

Technical Reports

Technical Papers at Symposiums

Internal DoD Meetings

Updated System and Component Drawings

AA7017-T6 After Salt Fog Corrosion Exposure

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

FCT Program Impact to U.S. Army

• AA5059-H136 rapidly transitioned to over 2000 RG-33 MRAPs for PM-MRAP (MIL-DTL-46027K Armor Spec)

• AA5059-H131 & H136 supplies alleviated armor plate shortages during Iraq War and helped stabilize costs

• AA5059-H131 used for M2 repairs

• AA5059 considered in new designs

AA5059

Armor Plate

FIELDED

$2.5M R&D Cost Avoidance and

procurement of AA5059 Beyond $14M

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

FCT Lessons Learned

• Maintain PM/PEO level involvement

• Clearly define the Key Performance Parameters so that validation pathways remain simplified.

• Formalize technology transition and facilitate acquisition– Is there a relevant Military Specification? (MILSPEC)– Will engineering drawing numbers, FMs, or TMs need to be updated?– Changes in requirements can mean a course correction

• Publish Closeout Report to submit to RDECOM and OSD– Include final program financials and all acquisition to date– Continue to track and update acquisitions after project closes

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

Final Thoughts…

• Communication is KEY

– ALWAYS Communicate with your Service Representative• Quarterly reports on time (get to know BIDS)

• Be sure to update your representative on all significant developments positive and negative.

• Also, maintain good communication with your financial contact.

• Steady feedback to your service reps will aid in justifying requests for additional funding should they become needed.

• Follow your chain of command (Don’t worry - Good news will definitely filter up)

– Maintain Steady Dialogues with your IPT Members• Mind your MIPRs and Contracts! (folks generally work better when funded)

• 2 way feedback with PEOs & PMOs will keep you up to date with all tasks and allow for quick reaction to unforeseen setbacks, requirements changes, or better yet OPPORTUNITIES!

• Be ready to extend service end dates for MIPR or Contract funds if milestones slip - It happens (don’t forget to tell your reps)