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 2014
Army Navy Country Club
1700 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
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

•
OSD Representatives


•
Bob Thompson
Corrosion Policy & Oversight Office
Other Participating Services

UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.
Randy Everett (RDECOM)
USMC
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
AA7017-T6 After Salt Fog Corrosion Exposure
• 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
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
$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)
UNCLASSIFIED: Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.