The Role of Foreign Comparative Testing Programs in Army Modernization

This article illustrates how acquisition programs are adapting to a military industrial base that is undergoing reform-induced change. In search of the best suppliers for combat optical and sensing equipment, this program office successfully made use of foreign suppliers to develop and manufacture a new generation of equipment. The Army has embarked on a modernization program to ensure that it will continue to prevail in future conflicts. The formidable task of its implementation falls to the Army's acquisition managers, who must excel in what is indisputably a hostile environment. Already shrinking limited resources, fierce competition from other programs, and problems arising from unanticipated developments require product managers to be vigilant, creative, and innovative. Of late, a new feature has been added to the landscape to render the environment even more challenging -- the mergers and acquisitions by and of the major defense contractors. This diminishes an already limited industrial base for key components and technologies essential to win in future hostilities. In the vanguard of this modernization effort is the second-generation forward looking infrared FLIR), charged with ensuring that our forces will own the night in future conflicts. As we equip the Army's premier warfighting platforms with an unparalleled day-and-night combat capability, the program manager (PM) FLIR is facing and successfully meeting these challenges. A key element of the acquisition strategy to improve the tank and infantry vehicle and scout sights includes foreign comparative testing programs. These effective efforts have allowed us to develop sources for the most critical components, obtain funding to qualify them, and ultimately award production contracts for two of the most technologically challenging components: the Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly II (SADA II -- the eye of the FLIR, and its associated 1-W linear (OWL) drive cryogenic cooler. Published in Acquisition Review Quarterly, p167-176, Fall 2001. Prepared in collaboration with Camber Corporation, Huntsville, AL.