General Dynamics Amphibious Systems

By GORDON I. PETERSON, Senior Editor

Sea Power: The Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle [AAAV] program reached a number of important milestones in its operational test-and-evaluation phase of development during the past year. What were the main functional areas of this testing?

Wosina: The testing program for the three prototype vehicles was focused on land mobility, firepower, and water mobility.

How well did the three prototype AAAVs fare in meeting the Marine Corps' performance requirements?

Prototype testing has demonstrated compliance with all key performance parameters during the first phase of the program. Specifically, the requirements for a high-water speed of 20 knots [23 miles per hour] and land speed of 69 kilometers per hour [43 miles per hour] were exceeded, as was the maximum effective range for the weapons system. Requirements for protection and a troop-carrying capacity of 17 were met.

Other performance parameters related to reliability and interoperability will be demonstrated during the next program phase.

How do you assess the program's status and future outlook?

The program is robust as it enters the system-development-and-demonstration [SDD] phase. Testing of the current prototype vehicles is continuing, to include an early operational assessment being conducted at 29 Palms [Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Center, 29 Palms, Calif.]. Test results to date have been solid, demonstrating both compliance with key performance requirements and identifying product-enhancement opportunities for the SDD design.

The SDD program has been structured to maximize the opportunities to test the vehicle in both the personnel carrier and command-and-control configurations. The future outlook is bright--a number of potential international customers have expressed interest in the program.

Some critics question the need for the Marines to acquire the AAAV--claiming the Marine Corps is preparing to fight the amphibious campaigns of World War II all over again. How would you reply to such criticisms?

The operational concept for the AAAV is defined in large part by Operational Maneuver From the Sea [OMFTS] and Ship-to-Objective Maneuver doctrine. This concept is far more reaching than the amphibious assault concepts of World War II. With high-speed, over-the-horizon launch capability, the AAAV has significantly higher levels of mobility and agility--plus the added advantage of tactical surprise.

Used in concert with the MV-22 [Osprey tiltrotor aircraft] and the LCAC [landing craft, air cushion], the AAAV is an integral part of the modern amphibious-assault triad. The operational concepts are in a continuous state of development to maximize use of the capabilities of these systems. Further, the performance characteristics of the AAAV--including land and water mobility, communications, fire power, NBC [nuclear, biological, and chemical] protection and survivability--are significantly higher than the currently fielded amphibious assault vehicles.

These significant advances in performance capabilities will allow the Marines to fully participate in operational-maneuver warfare and exploit opportunities through the inherent agility designed into the system.

You have the relatively unusual situation of being co-located with the Marine Corps AAAV direct reporting program manager [DRPM]. How has this arrangement worked out--have you experienced any special benefits?

Co-location with our Marine Corps partner is only one element of the AAAV acquisition reform success story. Co-location--together with the implementation of integrated product teams [IPTs], the use of a common computer data base, and the regular assignment of fleet Marines to the program--has resulted in a more decisive and agile organization. Within this general construct, we have realized a number of significant advantages in the program.

The use of a common database allows all program members to access program design and operational data to include in their process work. By working off the same information, we save the time that was traditionally spent in reconciling different data sets. This near-real-time data base allows us to disseminate information quickly, review the status of the program's progress, and identify emerging issues in a very timely way.

Use of the common data base, being located in the same facility, and joint participation on all IPTs allows for extremely quick decision making. Further, the need for major program reviews has been eliminated since program status is reviewed on a continuous basis through participation in the IPT process.

As the program has progressed, both General Dynamics and the Marine Corps have developed a more thorough understanding of one another's needs and consequently have established common goals to satisfy them. User input to the design process, for example, has been a significant contribution to accommodating Marine needs in the design.

The way we are organized to team together also has allowed us to realize an in-depth understanding of the development processes by the customer. Use of multidisciplinary IPTs has allowed parallel processing, and this enables more timely completion of development efforts. Overall, better communications have been realized both internally and with those outside our organization.

The implementation of this organizational construct represents a major cultural change that required significant efforts on the part of both General Dynamics and the Marine Corps. Intensive training in team involvement, leadership, and development processes was conducted and is continually being refreshed.

To summarize: Co-location, together with the implementation of IPTs, has been extremely positive for the program. *