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INDUSTRY POSITION ON NATIONAL SMALL ARMS TECHNICAL CENTER. Jean-Louis Vanderstraeten FN Manufacturing, Inc. CSAP Co-Chairman. Update: 04/12/04. INDUSTRY POSITION ON NATIONAL SMALL ARMS CENTER. We as Industry support the concept of a Consortium. Industry
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INDUSTRY POSITION ON NATIONAL SMALL ARMS TECHNICAL CENTER Jean-Louis Vanderstraeten FN Manufacturing, Inc. CSAP Co-Chairman Update: 04/12/04
INDUSTRY POSITION ON NATIONAL SMALL ARMS CENTER • We as Industry support the concept of a Consortium. • Industry • Committee of Small Arms Producers (CSAP) • GDATP • Colt Defense • FNMI • ATK • Barrett • H&K • What is CSAP? • U.S. Government Small Arms Procurement, Program Management and Engineering Representatives • Small Arms Industry Representatives • NDIA Organizing Committee
Why a Consortium? • Started Concept to achieve more R&D dollars from Army Budget (FEB 01) • Visibility and Input of Small Arms Master Plan • Industry and Government can be involved in Lobbying Activities through the Consortium (one voice) • Use of existing Government and Industry Resources to decrease or limit costs = “Virtual Center” • Level playing field - allows for the teaming and information flow between members • Not FAR covered for contracting - should expedite actions + - Improve link of government-industry-academia - Share and insert new technology ideas - Eliminate overlap/duplication - Within Government - Across industry/academia - Stimulate innovation
Industry Position • We Agree With The Concept • However, because we (CSAP) are part of the Consortium Organizing Committee we still have questions and concerns • No more “bricks and mortar”, virtual is good, physical is expensive and against the original purpose of capitalizing on existing resources. • Center of Excellence is not a single agency operation • Other agencies participation required (Crane, SOCOM, AF, Navy, Police Agencies) Not an Issue We hope!
Status • Actions from Industry • Evaluate input from Industry Days • Review Today’s Process vs. Tomorrow’s Process with a Consortium • Input and support from other services • Develop indicators and measures for determining success as well as a time frame • Guarantee that membership will be limited to organizations with true interest and capabilities in Small Arms R&D activities. • Define the Scope of Work strictly around R&D for Small Arms Industry Day II X X
In Conclusion: • CSAP supports the overall concept to form a U.S. Small Arms Consortium consisting of the interested Academia, Industrial and Government Organizations. This Consortium should be focused on ongoing competitiveness and superiority of U.S. Small Arms technology and maintaining the needed capabilities of the U.S. Small Arms Industrial Base to assure continued U.S. defense superiority. • CSAP support the formation of this Consortium in 2004 to focus on: • Coordinated development of basic small arms weapons technology and specialty manufacturing processes specific to small arms applications
Providing a unified voice for coordinated communications on the importance of the U.S. Defense Small Arms Industry • CSAP supports the formation of a “virtual” Small Arms Center of Excellence that facilitates the spread of the key knowledge base for small arms related technology throughout the U.S. Small Arms Consortium. • There is still a lot of work to be done. • There are still questions to be answered.
Bottom Line Government and Industry share equal responsibility to make NSATC a true success! The stated objectives of strengthening the voice of the Small Arms Community, establishing OTA structure, increased R&D opportunities and access to business opportunities requires the full support and commitment of all in Industry and Academia. 50% The need of a concerted and coordinated effort by the various U.S. Government agencies and military services should be addressed as primary objective. 50% Industry looks forward to being a part of the success of this Center which will ultimately be judged by the improved Small Arms cap- abilities provided to our soldiers!