Photo By Thomas Perry | American service members have enjoyed a documented love affair with military light...... read more read more
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The jeep captured the hearts of World War II GI’s with its seemingly endless utility and ability to navigate all terrains. Through fond memories, small- and silver-screen cameos, positive press coverage, and post-war civilian availability, the jeep earned its place within the American lexicon of legend.
Its replacement, the Humvee, made a splash in the early ‘90s as its imposing and brash appearance entered American homes each night through Gulf War media coverage. Its reputation was bolstered by a muscle-bound Austrian immigrant turned movie star, whose first glimpse of the four-wheeled beast literally created a big fan. Arnold Schwarzenegger was not alone in his adoration, as many civilians purchased the 6,000 pound behemoth when the H-1 hit the showroom.
Unlike the jeep, the Humvee’s service member endearment burned more lukewarm than hot. As the vehicle’s role expanded to the urban battlefield out of necessity, future engagements left its memory wanting.
In 2007, the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, or MRAP, began its role as a safer option for warfighters conducting patrols, convoy security and missions within Iraq. The Army, however, continued to hold discussions on a long-term Humvee replacement plan.
Four years later, Defense Contract Management Agency Milwaukee stepped out of its post-contract-award comfort zone and began an atypical role in the development of the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle — a partial-replacement program for the Humvee. According to Brad Lee, the DCMA Milwaukee program integrator for Oshkosh Programs, there are approximately 150,000 Humvees in all service inventories. The total buy for Oshkosh’s JLTV is estimated at 55,000. Most of the vehicles will be delivered to the Army, with the Marine Corps receiving 5,500.
Much of DCMA’s typical acquisition work currently begins once a contract is awarded to a company for production. With the JLTV, this was not the case.
“DCMA Milwaukee has been involved with the program since about February 2011,” said Chuck Kiessling, DCMA Milwaukee deputy director. “Our team became involved during the engineering and manufacturing development phase, which is much sooner than we have been involved in other programs. DCMA was able to help shape the direction of our portion of the program, rather than having to make changes once the program was underway.”
The JLTV has entered low rate initial production, which calls for roughly 17,000 vehicles. Reliability and maintainability testing is currently ongoing with the first fleet units scheduled to be delivered in December. This means the agency’s Milwaukee team members are currently working within their standard program support role.
“I have read much about the program’s development successes and it possibly being a model program for future defense contracts,” said Kiessling. “DCMA’s main contributions to this success have been our interaction, experience and advice to the Joint Program Office.”
Lee agreed, and highlighted his team’s good working relationship with the JPO and the contractor as a positive factor. This collaboration led to a vehicle designed to better handle current and future battlefield dangers.
“The vehicle offers improved protection, payload and maneuverability,” said Lee. “It provides MRAP-like protection but on a lighter, more agile frame. The JLTV is made to survive in hostile environments where roadside bombs, ambushes and other irregular threats might be prevalent. That was never the intent of the original Humvee.”
Warfighter safety was considered a top priority from the program’s onset. DCMA played a role and contributed to many of the drawing changes prior to the final configuration was locked in. Standing in front of an end product is much different than looking at a design on paper. Many are unaware—even some of those in the military—of what happens between design and delivery.
“The warfighter and general public see the final end-item, however there is a multitude of functions that go unseen yet materialize in a tangible product that affect the quality, timing and cost of the program,” said Army Lt. Col. Chris Foster, DCMA Milwaukee commander. “The DCMA team conducts manufacturing process and compliance reviews, knowledge of automotive quality management such as the International Automotive Task Force 16949, Component First Article Tests, subcontractor surveillance, production timelines, shipment instructions and cost control. These activities ensure a reliable and cost-effective vehicle enters the warfighter’s hands.”
That handoff can take years. Agency team members will have provided JLTV support for nearly eight years prior to the first vehicle reaching an operational status.
“Every day at DCMA can be challenging and rewarding,” said Kelly Graef, a DCMA Milwaukee quality assurance specialist. “By working with the contractor to ensure that the product is made to the correct requirements and then testing the product is very rewarding. To actually see the vehicle go through the test track and the slopes is fun not only to witness but also to ride along. Walking through the manufacturing facilities and seeing these vehicles being built is really something.”
Milwaukee manages the production schedule of five Oshkosh programs. Although the JLTV program garners much of the outside attention as the newcomer, the DCMA team provides full support for the under-the-radar programs as well.
“We have oversight over all of the products that Oshkosh (Defense) makes,” said Lee. “They make most of the trucks whether they’re the heavy, medium or JLTV variant. We inspect for quality, and we have engineers here looking at their engineering designs and incorporation of change proposals. We have a contract team here performing receipt and review and closeouts. We really have a multi-functional team here to ensure the government is getting their bang for the buck.”
That value is enhanced by the in-plant DCMA team that has years of experience managing vehicle contracts. They learn from their findings and ensure lessons learned are applied to all of their programs.
“Working within multiple programs ensures holistic understanding of the impact of all contractual requirements,” said Foster. “By focusing on process control along with product inspection, DCMA creates a spectrum that identifies and prevents potential problems that reduces risk and unproductive activities, thus keeping vehicles produced on time and on budget.”
For Kiessling, who has been with the agency and its predecessors for nearly 32 years, on time and on budget are doctrine.
“This never gets old,” he said. “The DCMA Milwaukee family is an amazing organization, full of amazing people, doing amazing things. I have been fortunate to have worked with some of the best, most dedicated folks I have ever met, and Milwaukee has some of the greatest.”
Some of that greatness can be credited to the entire team’s unwavering commitment to excellence, said Kiessling. Some of it can also be contributed to the reason behind that commitment.
“Approximately 54 of the DCMA Milwaukee workforce are prior military,” said Kiessling, who served in the Marine Corps. “I believe this increases their dedication to the warfighter, having been on that side of the supply chain. Our employees without direct military experience are, of course, no less dedicated, and are given many opportunities to interface with current and past members of the military. That provides a great insight into what it is like to have been in the military, and how DCMA and their individual efforts contribute to the success of our military and its mission.”
The team’s current military members agree and understand the impact of delivering a high-quality products to the warfighter. Particularly those forward deployed, where the quality of a product could be the difference between victory and defeat, between life and death.
“The most important contribution we make is ensuring the warfighter receives the weapons and equipment in a timely manner to defend our nation and achieve victory in battle,” said Foster. “Many of us are, or were, warfighters, or may have family who are warfighters. We have tremendous pride knowing that we impact our nation’s capability to defend our liberties.”
It is clear the acquisition professionals of Milwaukee work as one unit to ensure the best possible product is delivered down range. It is hard, complex work, and they take it seriously. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a little room for fun along the way.
“It’s kind of cool playing with trucks,” said Lee, while standing among a formation of JLTVs. “A lot of folks here have served and still serve — we have some reservists. So most people — myself included — look at it like an extension of our service. We’re in the rear with the gear so to speak, but we are pushing forward some of the best products for our service members. So I think a lot of people are excited by the opportunity that we get to continue to serve long after our service — for me Navy — has ended.”
Like so many aspects of life, endings often offer the hope of new beginnings. As the JLTV program matures and begins to enter full-rate production, the DCMA Milwaukee team will continue their product delivery mission, which began seven years ago in the development phase.
“It’s exciting to see this truck from conception, to build, to even getting better with test findings being improved upon,” said Lee. “It’s exciting to see that kind of cradle-to-grave program.”
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2018 10:58 |
| Story ID: | 304810 |
| Location: | FORT LEE, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 173 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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