U.S. ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCH,
DEVELOPMENT, & ENGINEERING CENTER
(ARDEC)
Andréa Stevens
ARDEC Idea Catalyst
andrea.stevens@us.army.mil
Purpose
 ARDEC Innovation Initiative
 ARDEC Innovation Background
 What IS Innovation?
 Innovation at ARDEC
 ARDEC Idea Catalysts
 Innovation Network
 Enablers of Innovation
 Questions, comments…
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ARDEC Innovation Initiative
Vision Statement
Establish ARDEC as the world leader in the
advancement of armaments technology and
engineering innovation.
Operational Statement
Provide the People, Processes and Facilities
necessary to identify, develop and transition
innovative solutions to benefit the Warfighter.
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Background
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What IS Innovation?
Creativity
Generation of new and/or novel ideas
Innovation
A new invention or idea that solves a current problem or
exploits a new opportunity, all resulting in a quantifiable gain.
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ARDEC Innovation Examples
Innovation Continuum
EVOLUTIONARY
EXPANSIONARY
REVOLUTIONARY
Seeks solutions from existing
concepts to do things better
Challenges the problem definition
Redefines the problem definition to
break boundaries & create new
paradigms
(Breakthrough)
(Incremental)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Continuous Improvement
Movement (6 Sigma)
OGPK
Picatinny Blast Shield
Shaped Charge Assembly
EM113A2 – Rapid Entry Vehicle
M110 7.62mm Semi Automatic
Sniper System
LHMBC
•
•
•
•
Rarefaction Wave Gun
M982 Excalibur
M100 Grande Entry Munition
MOFA
•
EM Gun
Increase in ARDEC Programs
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© 2010 Idea Connection Systems, Inc. All right reserved.
Innovation at ARDEC
ARDEC has implemented a defined and robust innovation
process integrated with Technology and Product
Development Process yielding a disciplined and
standardized approach to all ARDEC ideas and projects
ARDEC Idea Catalysts are available to help secure and
protect YOUR ideas. We help YOU to: evaluate YOUR
ideas, identify possible funding or advocacy alternatives,
and guide YOU on YOUR journey to secure sponsorship.
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We Help You
Find a Home For Your Idea!
Seek
Sponsor
Consult, Refine &
Communicate
Feasibility & Business Case
Development
OSI
Shaping
Secure &
Enhance
Capture
Originator
& Catalyst
OSI
Idea
Peer’s
OSI
IDEAS
Experts
Sponsor Secured
ARDEC
Development
Process
OSI –
Originator
Shelves Idea
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Innovation Network
Innovation Governing Body
John Hedderich
Dave Castellano
Barbara Machak
Mary Manser
Dominick Carra
Innovation Champions
Tony Sebasto Mike Zecca
Tony Pezzano
Idea
Catalyst
Pam Ferlazzo
Idea
Catalyst
Thomas Kiel
Idea
Catalyst
Andrea Stevens
Idea Catalyst
Doug
Chesnulovitch
Idea
Catalyst
Eric Kathe
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Enablers of Innovation
Facilities:
Innovation Hubs will support local idea generation and
cultivate ideas into concepts


Fire Control – Ralph Tillinghast
Innovation Central Hub
Classes:
Introduction To Innovation Methods
Management Of Innovation
TRIZ
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Enablers of Innovation
QE&SA Working Group for Advancement in Evaluation
Technologies for Armaments and Munitions
(QWG-AETAM)
VISION
Maintain and advance QE&SA’s leadership in the field of
Armaments Q/R/S evaluation through development and
application of advanced technologies
MISSION
The QE&SA Technologists will survey emerging evaluation
technologies, benchmark with industry, academia and OGA’s,
and review commodity requirements to identify areas for
competency & business growth for QE&SA
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Enablers of Innovation
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Summary
 ARDEC Innovation Initiative
 ARDEC Innovation Background
 What IS Innovation?
 Innovation at ARDEC
 ARDEC Idea Catalysts
 Innovation Network
 Enablers of Innovation
 Questions, comments…
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