MRAP Theater Upgrade Key to Soldier Survivability

Courtesy Photo | These Defense Contract Management Agency Northern Iraq team members are responsible for conducting final inspections and acceptance for a series of upgrades to the current mine resistant ambush protected vehicle configuration being used in Iraq. The team recently accepted the 100th MRAP vehicle. Their efforts have dramatically decreased the number of MRAP upgrade defects and increased the number of vehicles being accepted. These upgrades help support improved operational readiness while incorporating solutions to make the vehicles more survivable and effective.  

IRAQ

02.28.2011

Courtesy Story

Defense Contract Management Agency

Defense Secretary Robert Gates made production and fielding of mine resistant ambush protected vehicles the Department of Defense’s top acquisition priority and the third largest acquisition program in the department in 2007. The Defense Contract Management Agency has been involved with the MRAP program since its inception, making the program a top priority in its continuing efforts to support the war fighter.

In July 2010, DCMA Northern Iraq began work on a delegation from the MRAP Joint Program Office to conduct final inspection and acceptance for a series of upgrades to the current configuration of the RG-33 MRAP vehicle being used in Iraq. These upgrades help support improved operational readiness while incorporating solutions to make the vehicles more survivable and effective. DCMA-NI quality assurance veteran Bob Sadler, with 30 years of experience and eight deployments to his credit, quickly identified a number of challenges, including inconsistencies in drawings, plans and other key vehicle documentation. This coupled with the lack of a quality control plan and the austere environment of Iraq led to a hectic initial start.

Sadler, who has an extensive quality background in automotive programs, worked diligently with the contractor to implement sound processes and a highly effective quality program. The DCMA-NI quality team’s extensive process proofing effort resulted in the issuance of numerous continuous improvement opportunities. This process resulted in more than 260 assembly book changes, 46 weld book changes and 40 build book changes, all of which contributed to a steady growth in production and a substantial decrease in defects.

The collaborative effort and hard work has paid off and the statistics tell the story. To date, DCMA has accepted 100 vehicles. When the program started, 145 defects were identified against five vehicles (29 percent defect rate). Over the past eight months, the number of vehicles has increased and number of defects has dramatically decreased. In February, 17 vehicles were inspected with only 17 minor defects identified (1 percent defect rate).

This effort is yet another example where DCMA identified a shortfall, partnered with the stakeholders and developed executable processes resulting in a fully functional game-changing combat platform with soldier survivability as a key design feature.

“This continues to be a great team effort by the JPO (Forward), Requiring Activity and DCMA,” said Army Lt. Col. Don Hurst, DCMA-NI commander. “These efforts have insured everything possible has been done to provide a conforming product to the warfighter whose chief design feature is to ensure our servicemen and women can do their job and return home safely.”

The MRAP JPO and the requiring activity continue to praise DCMA for their efforts. DCMA-NI will continue providing quality oversight for the duration of the upgrade program which is expected to run through June 2011.

• Date Taken: 02.28.2011
• Date Posted: 03.03.2011 14:16
• Story ID: 66431
• Location: IQ