Description
The Weapon System
This Pilot Program originally was just the High Mobility Artillery
Rocket System (HIMARS), a developmental system, but was redefined to
include all systems managed by the Precision Fires Project Manager.
This includes the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), the M270A1
upgraded MLRS system, the ATACMS, and related systems.
As a result of recent decisions to increase the acquisition of new HIMARS and Guided MLRS systems and to terminate M270A1 production, the Pilot Program is again being redefined to encompass just the two active acquisition programs (HIMARS and Guided MLRS).
HIMARS is a C-130 transportable, wheeled version of the MLRS launcher.
It mounts a standard MLRS rocket or missile pod on a Family of Medium
Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) five-ton truck. The lightweight chassis allows
for faster road movement, lower operating costs, and requires 30 percent
fewer strategic airlifts (via C-5 or C-17) to transport a battery than
the current tracked M270 MLRS launcher unit. The HIMARS can fire the
entire MLRS family of munitions, including all Army Tactical Missile
System (ATACMS) variants. The HIMARS has a self-loading capability, and
is manned by a three-man crew.
The HIMARS mission is to provide light airborne and air assault
divisions and early-entry/forces with Multiple Launch Rocket System
(MLRS) fire-power capability to conduct counterfire suppression of enemy
air defenses, and precision indirect fires to destroy material and
personnel targets.
Production Status, Population, and Planned Life
The M270 MLRS launcher was originally fielded in 1983; the MLRS will be
kept operational through 2018. The upgraded M270A1 is in LRIP.
Recently, the Army reduced planned quantities of M270A1s from 857 to 225.
Current plans are to field two HIMARS Battalions in FY05. The anticipated procurement
quantity is 888 HIMARS systems. Anticipated first unit equipped for Guided
MLRS is FY06.
Prime contractor: Lockheed Martin Vought Missile Systems (Dallas, TX and
Camden, AR)
Office of Primary Responsibility: Manager, Precision Fires Rocket and
Missile Systems, Redstone Arsenal, AL.
R-TOC Focus Areas: (From USD (AT&L) memorandum dated May 10, 1999)
The R-TOC approach for the entire Precision Fires System of Systems is
still being defined. An aging fleet study was performed for the M270
fleet, which identified 27 actions to improve readiness and availability
of the M270 fleet. Steps are being taken to capitalize on the CH-47
Chinook's development of the Army Maintenance Aid Chinook (AMAC)
capability. Other initiatives will be developed as the redefined Pilot
Program matures.
The following reports R-TOC actions implemented by the HIMARS portion of
the Pilot Program:
1.Reduced demand from weapon systems via reliability and maintainability improvements
- Through competition, the HIMARS Product Manager has achieved a
reduction in the cost of the Low Cost Fire Control Panel.
- Teaming and competition have resulted in a lower cost solution for
the Position Navigation Unit (PNU), the Number One cost driver for
HIMARS and the MLRS M270A1 launcher. CAIV studies of issues such as
reloader alternatives, pod amperage, hydraulic system alternatives,
travel lock actuator alternatives, and azimuth drive unit alternatives.
The PNU initiative is approved for funding under the second round of PBD
721 funding, approved in December 2001.
- Establishing incentives that focus on life cycle program savings;
developing cost savings reinvestment strategy.
2.Reduced supply chain response times, leading to reduced spares, system support footprint, and depot needs
- Implemented a Logistics Center of Excellence (LCOE) concept for
wholesale supply support.
- The system is converting to use of AIT to manage inventory,
collect supply and maintenance data, and provide near-real time
information to supply and maintenance managers.
- The project office is working with the University of Maryland
and OSD to develop a supply chain management portal
3.Competitive sourcing of product support, leading to streamlining and overhead
- The project office performed a Product Support Trade Study to
select the best product support strategy for HIMARS. The project
office is recommending a PBL agreement which provides an enhanced
role in inventory management, repair, overhaul, status monitoring,
and database management. The government will retain responsibility
for program/contract management, sustainment engineering, readiness
monitoring, and supply support oversight.
- The project office has developed a Product Support Decision
Support System (PSDSS) to analyze data and permit informed
decision-making. The DSS will support reliability analysis,
contingency planning, analysis of alternatives, logistics footprint
analysis, and LCC reduction analysis.
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