FCT Experiences Brian E. Placzankis Weapons & Materials Research Directorate

1. 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.

2. 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 2014 Alloys • AA7017 • AA2139 • AA2060* • AA6055* 2008 Alloy • AA5059 * CTO Defense Acquisition Challenge (DAC) Program Domestic Alloys

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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)