thedrifter
03-13-09, 08:44 AM
Marines take fight to enemy
JIM KATZAMAN Marine Corps Systems Command Corporate Communications
Published: March 12, 2009
Marines know walking speed will not suffice when engaging a highly mobile, lethal enemy. To the swift and decisive goes the victory in the Global War on Terrorism.
Enter the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) and Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV). From firing system to ammunition plus ground transport, the EFSS and ITV – when combined with the V-22 – revolutionize warfare. Rather than be restricted by foot speed while carrying all their equipment on their backs, Marines can now swoop into enemy territory under the rotors of V-22 aircraft. There, they roll off 120mm mortars and vehicles carrying heavy machine guns and other heavy armament – allowing them far greater speed, mobility, firepower and survivability.
“It’s a complete system,” said John Garner, Evolutionary Firing Systems Program Manager at Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) headquartered at Quantico Marine Corps Base. He and his staff managed the acquisition of the EFSS and ITV, coor-dinating with MCSC directorates and outside agencies to vastly improve Marines’ combat power.
“With EFSS and ITV,” Garner said, “Marines can get in behind enemy lines with lethal force. Instead of flying guys in and being limited to speeds they can walk, they can move at vehicle speeds. That has huge implications for the counterinsurgency environment.”
To get EFSS up and running, Garner’s team used a capability-based acquisition approach. “We did the whole system,” he said. “We simultaneously contracted, developed, tested and fielded the mortars, ammunition, trailers, along with the vehicles that pull them.”
The challenge was to certify a complete combat system that would fit into the belly of a V-22 Osprey or CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, the fastest and easiest way to transport equipment into a combat zone. To make that happen, Garner said, “We had a lot of support from outside agencies.” The process began on Nov. 10, 2004, when the contract to acquire the systems was signed.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River, Md., was a prime player in the EFSS acquisition. Experts there conducted flight certification and testing for the V-22 and CH-53 to make sure the aircraft could accommodate the equipment loads. “Everything had to fit in a V-22,” Garner said. “These are the only systems of this type qualified to be carried on that aircraft.”
With the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va., the MCSC team worked on ammunition safety and mortar issues. Coordinating with experts there helped MCSC develop insensitive munitions that are safe for transport on sea and air. “The rifled 120mm mortar is the first large-caliber ammunition family to be certified this way,” Garner said. “The mortar round will explode when we want it to but not when it’s aboard an airplane or on a ship.”
Within MCSC, the EFSS team also worked with the Ground Transportation and Engineer Systems Program Group, the Program Manager for Ammunition, Contracting, Assistant Director for Program Management, Safety and other directorates.
“They helped us with safety and logistics as well as contracts,” Garner said. “Corporate Communications also helped us brief the program to congressional staffs and other interested parties.”
The EFSS and ITV acquisition progressed through the years. Operational testing was completed in March 2008, and systems were approved for production and fielding. Fielding to operational forces began in January.
“All safety and performance issues have been addressed,” Garner said. “Now we’ve transitioned into fielding and sustainment.”
In the end, Garner added, “We’ve given the warfighter systems that are fast and reliable and can fit into a V-22. Marines can now go to war with a much larger range of equipment. They’ll be a much more survivable and potent force. Plus, we have the potential to expand the package to carry radars, more communications gear and targeting equipment. In doing so, EFSS and ITV directly support the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Vision and Strategy 2025 and the Marines’ return to their expeditionary roots. We’ll give Marines a capability they’ve never had to take the fight to the enemy.”
Ellie
JIM KATZAMAN Marine Corps Systems Command Corporate Communications
Published: March 12, 2009
Marines know walking speed will not suffice when engaging a highly mobile, lethal enemy. To the swift and decisive goes the victory in the Global War on Terrorism.
Enter the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) and Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV). From firing system to ammunition plus ground transport, the EFSS and ITV – when combined with the V-22 – revolutionize warfare. Rather than be restricted by foot speed while carrying all their equipment on their backs, Marines can now swoop into enemy territory under the rotors of V-22 aircraft. There, they roll off 120mm mortars and vehicles carrying heavy machine guns and other heavy armament – allowing them far greater speed, mobility, firepower and survivability.
“It’s a complete system,” said John Garner, Evolutionary Firing Systems Program Manager at Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) headquartered at Quantico Marine Corps Base. He and his staff managed the acquisition of the EFSS and ITV, coor-dinating with MCSC directorates and outside agencies to vastly improve Marines’ combat power.
“With EFSS and ITV,” Garner said, “Marines can get in behind enemy lines with lethal force. Instead of flying guys in and being limited to speeds they can walk, they can move at vehicle speeds. That has huge implications for the counterinsurgency environment.”
To get EFSS up and running, Garner’s team used a capability-based acquisition approach. “We did the whole system,” he said. “We simultaneously contracted, developed, tested and fielded the mortars, ammunition, trailers, along with the vehicles that pull them.”
The challenge was to certify a complete combat system that would fit into the belly of a V-22 Osprey or CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter, the fastest and easiest way to transport equipment into a combat zone. To make that happen, Garner said, “We had a lot of support from outside agencies.” The process began on Nov. 10, 2004, when the contract to acquire the systems was signed.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) at Patuxent River, Md., was a prime player in the EFSS acquisition. Experts there conducted flight certification and testing for the V-22 and CH-53 to make sure the aircraft could accommodate the equipment loads. “Everything had to fit in a V-22,” Garner said. “These are the only systems of this type qualified to be carried on that aircraft.”
With the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va., the MCSC team worked on ammunition safety and mortar issues. Coordinating with experts there helped MCSC develop insensitive munitions that are safe for transport on sea and air. “The rifled 120mm mortar is the first large-caliber ammunition family to be certified this way,” Garner said. “The mortar round will explode when we want it to but not when it’s aboard an airplane or on a ship.”
Within MCSC, the EFSS team also worked with the Ground Transportation and Engineer Systems Program Group, the Program Manager for Ammunition, Contracting, Assistant Director for Program Management, Safety and other directorates.
“They helped us with safety and logistics as well as contracts,” Garner said. “Corporate Communications also helped us brief the program to congressional staffs and other interested parties.”
The EFSS and ITV acquisition progressed through the years. Operational testing was completed in March 2008, and systems were approved for production and fielding. Fielding to operational forces began in January.
“All safety and performance issues have been addressed,” Garner said. “Now we’ve transitioned into fielding and sustainment.”
In the end, Garner added, “We’ve given the warfighter systems that are fast and reliable and can fit into a V-22. Marines can now go to war with a much larger range of equipment. They’ll be a much more survivable and potent force. Plus, we have the potential to expand the package to carry radars, more communications gear and targeting equipment. In doing so, EFSS and ITV directly support the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Vision and Strategy 2025 and the Marines’ return to their expeditionary roots. We’ll give Marines a capability they’ve never had to take the fight to the enemy.”
Ellie