The INSIDER - October 2, 2012

Just WIN-T. Inside the Army this week snags an ADM on the WIN-T program to back this top story: DOD Acquisition Chief Clears WIN-T Inc 2 For Third LRIP, With Test Caveats The Pentagon's acquisition chief last week approved the Army's Warfighter Information Network Tactical Increment 2 battlefield communications system for a third lot of low-rate initial production, but only under the condition that contractor General Dynamics C4 Systems correct certain "deficiencies" in its performance. "The WIN-T Inc 2 Program completed its [initial operational test and evaluation] in May 2012 with results indicating moderate risk to entering [full-rate production] in light of deficiencies related to effectiveness and suitability," Frank Kendall, the Defense Department's acquisition chief, wrote in an internal Pentagon memo obtained by Inside the Army. "I am directing the [program manager] to initiate efforts to correct deficiencies for all LRIP units and verify the corrections through a series of developmental tests with validation of the corrections through a [follow-on operational test and evaluation]. In order to ensure the contractor is held accountable to correct the deficiencies, acceptance of these articles will not occur until these corrections are demonstrated." DOCUMENT ALERT: WIN-T Acquisition Decision Memo (FOUO) In a Sept. 26, 2012, acquisition decision memorandum -- marked "for official use only" -- Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall approves the Army's Warfighter Information Network Tactical Increment 2 battlefield communications system for a third lot of low-rate initial production, but only under the condition that contractor General Dynamics C4 Systems correct certain "deficiencies" in its performance. Strike Zone. A piece or two of a very big pie might soon be served up: DOD Eyes Opening Portions Of F-35 Program To Competition The Pentagon next month will begin publicly exploring ways to open up select portions of the Joint Strike Fighter program to competition, which could create opportunities for other defense contractors to grab a small slice of the estimated $1.1 trillion cost to sustain the new fighter fleet. On Nov. 14th and 15th, the F-35 joint program office will host an industry event "to identify potential business sources, capabilities, and experience to successfully deliver a wide range of hardware and infrastructure services in support for F-35 JPO sustainment," the Pentagon announced in a Sept. 28 notice published in Federal Business Opportunities. The Pentagon is eying four areas for potential competition: supply chain management, the Autonomic Logistics Information System, training systems, and support equipment, according to the notice. "The results of this industry day will be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the acquisition process," it adds. Early Entry Back to this week's Inside the Army for a look at what "early entry" means to the Army -- and suggests to the Marines: Army Focus On Early Entry Forces Could Reignite Debate With Marines A passage in the emerging Army capstone concept calling for new units to carry out early entry operations could reignite a debate over which service should have the lead -- perceived or real -- on being first in the fight, according to documents and officials. At issue is a section in the still-unreleased document describing organizational changes needed to prepare the Army for a new strategic landscape following the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The main drivers are the Defense Department's focus on the Asia-Pacific region and the expectation of declining budgets in the wake of an economic crisis. "[T]he joint force often has great difficulty getting capable Army forces to the point of employment in time to impact the joint fight and achieve cross-domain synergy," states a draft version of the capstone concept from late August. Inside the Army obtained a copy of the document ahead of its scheduled release, expected within a month or two. Back story, from last week: Emerging Capstone Concept Lays Out Army's Post-War, Next-War Agenda A draft of the Army's forthcoming capstone concept introduces austerity and a return of soldiers to bases in the United States as guiding principles for the ground service of 2020, mincing no words in portraying China's military growth as a source of "instability." Truck Stop. Inside the Navy on Marine Corps humvee plans: Marine Corps Will Openly Compete Humvee Sustainment Next Year QUANTICO, VA -- The Marine Corps will release a request for proposals this time next year for its humvee sustainment modifications for more than 12,000 humvees through 2030, according to an official. The service is taking a phased approach to the competition, and hopes to open up Phase 5 of the effort to industry after the program executive office for land systems awarded the first phase of the contract last year to the Nevada Automotive Test Center to explore technical possibilities surrounding fleet sustainment, Marine Corps spokesman David Branham said on Sept. 28. . . . William Taylor, the program executive officer for land systems, told Inside the Navy following his Sept. 27 speech at the Modern Day Marine event here that the Army's humvee recapitalization program -- known as the Medium Expanded Capacity Vehicle -- was a "defining moment where we realized we're essentially rebuilding the humvee, and getting no better in terms of a new vehicle." Speaking of the Army and humvees: Army Rolls Out Solicitation For Humvee Recap Survivability Demo The Army has formally resurrected the survivability research and development portion of the humvee recapitalization effort once known as the Medium Expanded Capacity Vehicle, according to recent notices to industry. Meanwhile, in the MRAP world: Army Assumes Management Of MRAP Program From Marine Corps The Army will assume management of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle program from the Marine Corps on Oct. 1, though the program will remain under the jurisdiction of the Navy secretary until a formal stand-down takes place at the end of fiscal year 2013, according to a service spokesman. "Effective Monday, Oct. 1, management of the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicle program will transition from the Marine Corps to the Army, and Mr. Kevin Fahey, the U.S. Army's Program Executive Officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support, will assume the title Joint Program Executive Officer (JPEO) for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Brigadier General Frank Kelley, Commander, Marine Corps Systems Command," Charles William Johnson-Miles, a spokesman for Marine Corps Systems Command, wrote in a Sept. 28 email. "However," Johnson-Miles added, "the MRAP program will remain in place under the Secretary of the Navy to support Joint Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) requirements through the end of fiscal year 2013. This direction preserves the urgency associated with the current fight in Afghanistan." Ship Shape. Inside the Navy front-pagers: Greenert: Mine Warfare Exercise Gives Navy Glimpse Of Ponce Operations A mine warfare exercise wrapping up soon in the Arabian Gulf has allowed the Navy to get its first glimpse of how it would use the new interim afloat forward staging base (AFSB) and the former amphibious ship Ponce (LPD-15), as well as how it would prosecute a range of other operations in real-world situations, the Navy's top admiral said last week. With Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz by mining it in response to economic sanctions, the Navy has sent mine countermeasures ships, minesweeping MH-53 helicopters and the AFSB to participate in the International Mine Countermeasures Exercise featuring 34 nations, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert said Sept. 27 at an event in Washington hosted by the Association of the United States Navy. "They were doing work here off Bahrain, outside here in the Gulf of Oman and down here in the Gulf of Aden," Greenert said, "and it was just over a year ago when [Gen. James Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command,] said, 'You know, we need to sharpen our skills in mine countermeasures -- command and control, concept of operations, test out new non-program-of-record and program-of-record material. Navy: CR Will Lead To Savings Lost On DDG-51, Other Programs Congress' recent passage of a six-month stopgap spending measure in lieu of a 2013 budget will lead the Navy to lose at least some of the savings it would have gained from a multiyear procurement contract for nine DDG-51 destroyers, and other programs will experience problems as well, according to a service spokeswoman. The fiscal year 2013 continuing resolution caps Pentagon spending at FY-12 levels and bans any new starts. The Navy had planned to save about $1.5 billion on the DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer program by entering into a multiyear deal with the shipbuilders, but at least a portion of those savings will now be lost because of the CR, Lt. Courtney Hillson, a Navy spokeswoman, said on Sept. 28. LCS Maritime Security Module In High Demand Before Spring Deployment The Littoral Combat Ship's maritime security module is in great demand from the fleet, as Freedom (LCS-1) continues its preparation to deploy with it in the spring and the recently commissioned Fort Worth (LCS-3) travels to San Diego to take its place in mission package testing. Capt. John Uhl, deputy for surface ships in the surface warfare division of the chief of naval operations' staff (N96E), said Sept. 10 that the maritime security module, with its counter-piracy and level II visit, board, search and seizure capabilities, was already in high demand even before its first overseas deployment. Speaking at the National Defense Industrial Association's annual Expeditionary Warfare Conference in Panama City, FL, Uhl said the ship hull itself was already more capable than that of a frigate's and would free up cruisers and destroyers for ballistic missile defense missions. The mission packages, he said, would add further benefits, such as the Griffin missile in fiscal year 2014 and its over-the-horizon, fire-and-forget replacement missile in FY-17. DOCUMENT ALERT: Littoral Combat Ship Council Charter The Sept. 20, 2012, document outlines how the Littoral Combat Ship Council will be organized and run. Grab Bag. More news of note: Army Seeking Counter-UAS Capabilities For Next 'Black Dart' Exercise The Army is seeking counter-unmanned aerial system capabilities that could be included in next year's Black Dart exercise, designed to allow officials to test systems against drone threats, according to a Sept. 19 request for information. The service's Fires Center of Excellence's Capabilities Development Integration Directorate at Ft. Sill, OK, wants to evaluate capabilities in the areas of "Battle Command and sensor systems that facilitate rapid detection, identification and classification of UAS targets; electronic systems that can interdict, defeat or deny enemy use of UAS; and systems providing the capability to intercept and destroy hostile UAS," the request states. The information gathered will be used to decide on systems for inclusion in Black Dart 2013. It will also guide the future development of C-UAS requirements and capabilities, the document notes. Communications Risks Could Undermine Dempsey's New Vision Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey's new vision for the U.S. military of 2020 carries with it significant risks, including the possibility that new communications capabilities deemed essential might be vulnerable to enemy action or too costly or complex to build in the first place. The Capstone Concept for Joint Operations, which calls for globally integrated operations, is intended to connect the Defense Strategic Guidance unveiled in January to yet-to-be-developed joint doctrine that will further refine the ideas and support military operations. Defense Department investment decisions are also supposed to be guided by this effort. "In this concept, joint force elements, globally postured, combine quickly with each other and mission partners to integrate capabilities fluidly across domains, echelons, geographic boundaries and organizational affiliations," Dempsey writes in the foreword. DOCUMENT ALERT: Capstone Concept For Joint Operations: Joint Force 2020 The Sept. 10, 2012, document "proposes an approach called globally integrated operations," where "Joint Force elements, globally postured, combine quickly with each other and mission partners to integrate capabilities fluidly across domains, echelons, geographic boundaries and organizational affiliations." On the Shelf. New additions to the documents archive: Marine Corps 2012 Advanced Technology Investment Plan The Spring 2012 document "provides an update to the Top Technical Issues of [the Program Executive Officer Land Systems] Programs and has been vetted through the Program Managers to ensure an accurate representation of their highest-priority technology needs." OMB Memo On WARN Act In a Sept. 28, 2012, memo, the White House Office of Management and Budget issues "guidance on allowable contracting costs associated with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act." IGs' FY-13 Comprehensive Oversight Plan For Southwest Asia The Sept. 26, 2012, document -- promulgated by the Defense Department inspector general and other military oversight agencies -- includes "an overall Strategic Oversight Plan for Afghanistan." -- Dan Dupont