Letterkenny Munitions Center Develops Capability for Army’s Total Package Approach

Photo By Natasia Kenosky | Letterkenny Munitions Center Electronic Measurement Equipment Mechanic, Chad Reams, uses the braiding machine to put the final layer of shielding on a cable assembly.  

CHAMBERSBURG, PA, UNITED STATES

11.30.2016

Story by Natasia Kenosky 

Letterkenny Munitions Center

Chambersburg, Pa. – As the Army’s Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Missile Maintenance, Letterkenny Munitions Center repairs the Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions for U.S. Army mission requirements.

In the past, cables belonging to both the system and its test equipment were sent outside of LEMC for repair. Then, three years ago, LEMC decided to repair Army Tactical Missile Systems and Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems cables and maintain MFOM test equipment cables in house. Utilizing the new in-house repair capability, LEMC reduced turnaround time and introduced cost savings for the Army.

In 2013, LEMC’s MFOM team began to develop a cable maintenance capability alongside the rest of the MFOM workload. According to Chad Reams, electronic measurement equipment mechanic, “We started with the DIT-MCO cable test equipment and a small workbench.” From there, the team expanded their efforts using continuous process improvement.

Reams, who came to LEMC with both process improvement and cable knowledge and experience, began to rearrange and improve the cable shop in order to work more efficiently and better utilize space. With the assistance from Joshua Shaul, electronics equipment mechanic leader, and the rest of the MFOM team, lighting was upgraded, equipment ordered and a new workflow process developed. The team purchased ergonomic equipment, such as adjustable work benches, which can be modified to support the technician and the work. They also use technology to track repair, parts and research data. Employees working in the cable shop are certified in both cable and wire harness assemblies and soldering.

Currently, their largest workload is main interface cables for the ATACMS and GMLRS, followed by test and inspect of test set cables for the Missile Common Test Device, a workload they expect to expand. “The MCTD cable repair workload will grow,” said Shaul. The cables are brand new and just fielded, so we test and certify these cables. Eventually, we will be repairing these since we are the maintenance facility for all MCTD repair.”

Reams and Shaul and their team are already looking forward to future requirements. Their vision is to become the centralized location for all cable, wire harness and test equipment repair for LEMC and they already have a plan in place. The team plans to use process improvement concepts and tools to rid the shop of antiquated, unnecessary equipment and set up the shop in the most effective and efficient layout. “LEMC employees come to work every day and think about how they can make it better,” Reams added. The team plans to work with the Precision Fires Rocket and Missile Systems Project Office to create savings for future requirements.

In early 2016, LEMC was designated as the Army’s Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Army Tactical Missile Systems, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems and Low-Cost, Reduced-Range, Practice-Rocket Missile Maintenance by the Secretary of the Army.

LEMC is located on Letterkenny Army Depot and is a Government-Owned, Government-Operated installation. LEMC conducts regional and global distribution of munitions, provides missile maintenance, and conducts demilitarization of munitions for the U.S. Army in support of Joint Forces and international partner nations.

• Date Taken: 11.30.2016
• Date Posted: 11.30.2016 06:41
• Story ID: 215965
• Location: CHAMBERSBURG, PA, US