thedrifter
02-22-07, 02:31 PM
Eyeing a new EFV
SysCom seeks alternative designs by Friday
By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 22, 2007 14:04:45 EST
The Marine Corps is looking for new designs to replace the assault amphibian vehicle and may soon consider a new manufacturer for the beleaguered Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program.
The Corps has already devoted 10 years and $1.7 billion to General Dynamics’ amphibious-assault EFV prototype. But the test vehicles are old and unreliable — so much so that seven new test vehicles must be built, Marine officials said. The new vehicles will add three years to the program, along with a $300 million annual price tag.
While Corps officials — all the way up to Commandant Gen. James Conway — have professed commitment to the program, Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., has invited companies to submit alternate EFV designs by Friday.
“This request is for information only and is intended to identify companies that can develop and produce a reliable amphibious capability that is self-deploying, high-water-speed, amphibious, armored tracked vehicle and is capable of seamlessly transporting Marines from ships located beyond the horizon to inland objectives,” the request for information said.
Change is on the horizon and could include a new manufacturer, Navy Secretary Donald Winter told lawmakers recently.
“We have a DAB, a Defense Acquisition Board, meeting coming up here in March, at which time we will propose our program restructuring, which will include the reinvestment and the redesign activities, as well as the funding of a second source to look at a competitive design,” Winter told House appropriators at a Feb. 13 hearing.
Still, said one Corps official, the fate of General Dynamics’ role in the program has not yet been determined.
“We have not made any recommendation to terminate our contracts with General Dynamics,” said David Branham, spokesman for the EFV program.
The EFV prototypes meet all design mandates, including water speed, the ability to carry a reinforced rifle squad, compatibility with Navy amphibious ships and ability to punch through surf zones. However, there are design flaws, such as unstable steering. And the vehicle cannot go more than eight hours without breaking down, Branham said.
“It just doesn’t perform well enough, long enough,” he said.
“Reliability is an engineering challenge, it’s not a technological challenge,” Branham said. “In restructuring the program, we must consider the broad range of technical and business strategy alternatives to provide a reliable EFV to the war fighter. We must also continuously consider opportunities for competition in the program. Market research is a tool to help us do both of these things.”
While the open bid for competing EFV designs could have General Dynamics on edge, “realistically, the solicitation for alternate designs doesn’t mean much,” said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute.
“EFV is a decade down the road, and there just is not enough time to start over before the existing amphibious vehicles bite the dust,” Thompson said. “The Corps has spent so much time and money in developing EFV and its existing amphibious vehicles are so antiquated, the notion of starting over seems improbable.”
Calls to General Dynamics for comment were not immediately returned.
Ellie
SysCom seeks alternative designs by Friday
By Kimberly Johnson - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 22, 2007 14:04:45 EST
The Marine Corps is looking for new designs to replace the assault amphibian vehicle and may soon consider a new manufacturer for the beleaguered Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle program.
The Corps has already devoted 10 years and $1.7 billion to General Dynamics’ amphibious-assault EFV prototype. But the test vehicles are old and unreliable — so much so that seven new test vehicles must be built, Marine officials said. The new vehicles will add three years to the program, along with a $300 million annual price tag.
While Corps officials — all the way up to Commandant Gen. James Conway — have professed commitment to the program, Marine Corps Systems Command in Quantico, Va., has invited companies to submit alternate EFV designs by Friday.
“This request is for information only and is intended to identify companies that can develop and produce a reliable amphibious capability that is self-deploying, high-water-speed, amphibious, armored tracked vehicle and is capable of seamlessly transporting Marines from ships located beyond the horizon to inland objectives,” the request for information said.
Change is on the horizon and could include a new manufacturer, Navy Secretary Donald Winter told lawmakers recently.
“We have a DAB, a Defense Acquisition Board, meeting coming up here in March, at which time we will propose our program restructuring, which will include the reinvestment and the redesign activities, as well as the funding of a second source to look at a competitive design,” Winter told House appropriators at a Feb. 13 hearing.
Still, said one Corps official, the fate of General Dynamics’ role in the program has not yet been determined.
“We have not made any recommendation to terminate our contracts with General Dynamics,” said David Branham, spokesman for the EFV program.
The EFV prototypes meet all design mandates, including water speed, the ability to carry a reinforced rifle squad, compatibility with Navy amphibious ships and ability to punch through surf zones. However, there are design flaws, such as unstable steering. And the vehicle cannot go more than eight hours without breaking down, Branham said.
“It just doesn’t perform well enough, long enough,” he said.
“Reliability is an engineering challenge, it’s not a technological challenge,” Branham said. “In restructuring the program, we must consider the broad range of technical and business strategy alternatives to provide a reliable EFV to the war fighter. We must also continuously consider opportunities for competition in the program. Market research is a tool to help us do both of these things.”
While the open bid for competing EFV designs could have General Dynamics on edge, “realistically, the solicitation for alternate designs doesn’t mean much,” said Loren Thompson, a defense analyst with the Lexington Institute.
“EFV is a decade down the road, and there just is not enough time to start over before the existing amphibious vehicles bite the dust,” Thompson said. “The Corps has spent so much time and money in developing EFV and its existing amphibious vehicles are so antiquated, the notion of starting over seems improbable.”
Calls to General Dynamics for comment were not immediately returned.
Ellie