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Show POSTMW AMD FEE PAID The Sampler, Aug. 8, 1885 Anderson marks first anniversary by assessing current program, future projects ABERDEEN PROVING such as material resources of 21st contribute to the success of an organization, but peo- derson marked his first anniversary as commander of the U.S. Army Test and ple are really the basis upon which an organization ceeds or fails. Evaluation Command. upon assuming command was to direct consolidation throughout our country and in Panama. The teamwork we have developed is clearly evident. We do indeed work as a team.. Q. Does TECOM have any major weaknesses, and if so, what is being done to correct them? of Aberdeen Proving Ground with TECOM Headquarters, a move designed to better devote resources to the testing mission. As a result of this reorganization in July, Anderson became commander of APG as well as TEDuring his 31 years in the active Army, Anderson has held a variety of high-level Pentagon; deputy command- - ing general' and later commanding general of the U.S. MaArmy teriel Readiness Command in Warren, Mich.; and director of the Combat Systems Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Combat Developments, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va. His background with TEve COM provides Anderson with a unique perspective on the role of test and evaluation in the materiel development process. Shortly after his first anniversary, Anderson took time out from his hectic schedule to discuss the fu- ture its TECOM, strengths and weaknesses, Commercial Activities, the new streamlined acquisition process, and other matters of interest to the command of workforce. Interview with Anderson Q. April 30 marked your first anniversary as commanding general. What has been TECOM's TE-COM- 's greatest accomplishment since you assumed com- mand? A. On my arrival at Aber deen Proving Ground, I not ed the post was commanded by. a colonel wno was responsible not only for the in- stallation activity's base "operations but also for the work of the Materiel Testing areas has proven itself. Cypher and his people are totally dedicated to the sup- port of the many tenants that we have on post, and Hite can concentrate on the very important testing that goes on at Aberdeen. Another aspect is what general, of TARADCOM. Having worked both sides of the commanding fence, what are your thoughts on the interaction of TECOM with the materiel partment of the Army and the State Department. Q. Are you satisfied with TECOM's reputation with Congress, the Department of the Army and the public? How can it be improved? A. I am very satisfied With TECOM's reputation. We work very hard at it. It's ter- developers? A. I guess I'm one of the few (AMC) generals in recent times' who has worked ribly important. Often the project managers and program managers of the sys- Evaluation Agency. Q. What do you perceive COM -- in executing tests that we had ' prototype and still have problems that have to be to be TECOM's greatest ; v A. Well, strength can be . measured in many ways. I think TECOM's most impor--; tant strength is in its people, because people make an or- worked out. That's the basis for testing and evaluating. The T&E process allows us to seek out the things that need correction. So we play an extremely important part : ..; more case in point. We are asking the Sgt. York to engage high speed aircraft. We are asking the Sgt. York to engage those . helicopters, such- as the HIND helicopter, at ranges - pro- up to five kilometersLrr helicopters fully capable of high ered hardware for test. - , . i. I felt the success of these programs is very much contingent upon how well we could test a piece of equipment and how quickly we could submit the test report. In the case of combat ve hicles, they normally enjoy a high priority. Therefore the emphasis was on combat ve hicles in competing for test resources. But when it came to tactical vehicles - trucks and ancillary wheeled vehicles - they did not always enjoy the testing priority- - of -- speeds themselves. We're also asking the Sgt. York to be an effective ground engagement system, too, should the need arise, be- cause it is a cannon system. We're asking it to do an aw- ful lot. It is the marriage of a complex series of technology combat vehicles. Faced with this situation, any materiel developer would probably seek other ways of testing his equipment. I must admit that I did look for another way of doing it. . I suppose I am responsible or establishment of faci-itie- s I the'like Hodges, in Nevada, where we sent tactical vehicles for testing simply because at that time I felt, Aberdeen could not conduct an expedited test complete with a final test report. I knew this when I as., . sumed command of TECOM. That is ,why I wanted to reorganize the efforts here 'at Aberdeen. As I previously of mentioned, the split-ou- t the Installation Support Activity and Combat Systems Test Activity was cessary because I wanted, testers at Aberdeen to working. Sq I've come full. circle; I'm now. on the other side of the fence. We're pay ing as much attention as we possibly can, considering the many systems that are under s . equally as we possibly can.' have to say the Sgt. York is our highest priority program today. There are other systems that ' are also asking for range or test course time. We have to I prioritize to try to ensure all of bur facilities and all of our personnel, who are dedi- - defend against something like this. Star Wars is with us to- day. You read about it in our test, to ensure we take as much work as our resources allow and treat test items as ! such as the radar which comes from the F 16 aircraft, the tank chassis that comes from the M48 series tank, a turret that was designed to encompass a wide array of graphic displays, compueters and the electronic gear in the turret that ties all this together. We are asking for a combat vehicle system to take on more than we ever have in the past. It's a demanding task, no question, about it. Will we succeed? I think the ongoing tests right now will probably show that our technological advances can indeed spell the difference on the battlefield of today and in the future. We need the support of the Army and the Congress to ensure that improvements and modernization of our ranges and our equipment, the training of our personnel to meet the challenges of the future, all of the things that we need to take on the testing of complex equipment will indeed be met. When you think about what the future may bring in terms of Star Wars and combat in space, and its impact on any force anywhere in the world, you have to rea lize that you must be able to , concentrate solely on testing and not be involved in housekeeping or base opera- tions activities. I think that's - They're complex. defense system is a good grammed for and had .deliv- ' systems are asked to do a lot more than ever before. This is especially true with our combat vehicles, and the Sgt. York air former capacity in Detroit, I often had problems with TE- non-supporti- ve : it COM's test instrumentation and procedures equal to this challenge or is there a need for modernization of instrumentation and facilities? A. Systems are becoming . combat vehicle programs that originated in Detroit. In my time, and in my and development process now for some years, and I really can't recall any sys- L ": becoming more sophisticated all the time. Are TE- 10-to- tems under test say we do too much in the way of demonstrating and briefing selected government officials. However, I feel that what we do in TECOM, not only at Aberdeen Proving Ground, is terribly important because we do have a message to tell. We need the support of Congressional decision makers as well as the Defense establishment. We must ensure they un- tem that did not have some developmental problems. I would imagine that the string probably broke on the very first bow and arrow the first time it was used. It's always been that way and probably will be forever. That's the nature of technology. You develop something new; you hope you will have a success from the outset, i But in this day and age it's not unusual to develop a U Q. Weapons Multi-Purpos- They had the opportunity the equipment arid have left convinced this is good equipment. In a sense we have become the demonstrator for a large range of systems. There are some systems that have had some hiccups, if you' will, in the development process, such as the Sgt. York. But I have been associated with the research critical testing. I would say that testing of the Sgt. York weapons system, has some of the highest priority the Army has had in recent years, given the visibility that weapons system has received in Congress, at the Department of the Army and in other sectors. The success of the Sgt York program depends upon .what our people in TECOM are able to do with that system. More than 200 of our personnel are engaged virtually around the clock in testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, at White Sands Missile Range and at Hunter-LiggetThis is clearly a team effort on the part of TECOM, which is supporting the operational tester, U.S. Army Operational Test and v ' manner. on the materiel development side of the house, that is in the initiation of programs such as the High Mobility e Wheeled Ven vehicle prohicle, the M3 and at the M2, gram, times the Ml programs, and a range of other tactical and to observe and to operate of some very important and ... cated to the test and evaluation process, are working as hard as possible. We must take on as many systems as We possibly can but do it right and do it in a timely Q. You formerly were or of certain systems who have come to Aberdeen. TECOM is doing in support .. :. Maj. Gen. Andrew Anderson that effort in conjunction with directions of the De- supportive "' """.4 ' , by Col. Ron Cypher, and the Combat Systems Test Activity, commanded by Col. Ronald Hite. The clear focus and attention given to both of these "' .'. Stiffs'1" be demonstrated by hosting these orientations. Often times these dignitaries have a "show me" attitude. They are not completely sold on the system under test and have to be con-- , vinced of the value of the equipment and its contribution to the Army mission. And I think at our many locations we have done that extremely well. I am personally involved in these visits. These people are impressed with what we show them. I can recall senators and congressmen whom we knew to be marginally port Activity, commanded ganization. Other things . derstand the system, its activities were quite dissimilar and extremely demanding of one's full attention. I immediately directed a reorganization. Basically, this reorganization involved the establishment of the Installation Sup- strength? tives to establish an organization along the lines of what we fbrsee in the future as far as the resources that will be made available to us to meet the current and pro-- 1 jected workload. We also have some things over which we have no control. For example, under the terms of the Panama Canal Treaty, we must remove the Tropic Test Center from the .Republic of Panama by the year 1999. We have to determine where the new site will be. We have embarked in complexities and its value to our Army. Much of this can Directorate. I found these Engineering and Housing and the Logistics Directorate whose jobs are under Commercial Activities review. What the final outcome will be I cannot say. I do know we will have expended more than $3.3 million and more than 113 man-yeaof effort over a two-yeperiod developing and following the Commercial Activities process. At the same time, I realize that by conducting a Commercial Activities review we are reminded of better ways to do our job, so there is a payoff to this program. Are there other ways to do it? I think so. Aberdeen Proving Ground is a member of the Model Installation Program. It is one of five Army posts involved in this program. We have demonstrated that we can save costs by being allowed to challenge the regulations and the directives we have been working under in the past. This is done with the view to realizing economies. rs ar four-yea- ing workload as I envision it. We are taking some initia- positions, including: commanding general of VII Corps in Europe; Deputy the Inspector General in the than 1,000 employees, principally in the Directorate of what our President is talking about. It's a beginning and it's with us now. It's going to grow just about as fast as the technology will take it. We may not like it, but we have to face it. ' Q. Army Materiel Command recently instituted the Streamlined Acquisition Process. How will it affect the way we do business? A. The new acquisition process, simply stated, is an attempt to turn out weapons systems and other major end r items in a period from the milestone one decision point. Research and technology of development of prototype systems are being designed prior to a milestone one. decision. We then have a decision by someone at the Department of the Army level, or in some cases at the Office of the Secretary of Defense level, which gives us the challenge of testing in a limited period of time and putting into production on a limited scale equipment we have tested in its early stages of . A. There are several weaknesses. One I would mention is the organization is not geared for the grow- COM. Tank-Automoti- suc- TECOM has more than 12,000 people dispersed One of his first actions ties review in the Army right here at Aberdeen Proving Ground. It affects more beginning century development of defensive systems. That's a logical follow-on to Star. Wars and . On April (GROUND, M . 30, Maj. Gen. Andrew H. An- , publications. Its beginnings are tied to what we see now in NASA, which was directly traceable to the work by the U.S. Army immediately following World War II with bur rocket work at Redstone Arsenal and White Sands Missile Range. In that regard, the Army has expended significant amount of resources in developing our high energy laser facility at White Sands, which is the. An excellent example is that of purchasing fuel oils, normally done through the Defense Logistics Agency. We development. all of this Compressing four-yea into period is a significant challenge when compared to how long it has taken some systems to evolve. There are examples in the combat vehicle area where we have taken far too long to bend metal, if you will, in getting into production an acceptable piece of equipment. This initiative is attainable. It certainly will be attainable for those systems that are not as complex or as important as a combat vehicle system or an aircraft. Nonetheless, that's our challenge. I think it can be done. The Multiple Launch ar have been able to contract on the spot market and pay the going price for fuel oil. This costs much less at this time as opposed to the higher price that the Deso-call- ed fense Logistics Agency pays. They're contracted over an extended period of time and cannot react fast enough to the declining world price of oil. So we have realized more than $1 million savings at Aberdeen. The beautiful part of the Model Installation Program is that it al- lows us to retain this money here on the post and put it to good use in other areas. Rocket System is a good example of achieving the deve- lopment of an important combat weapons system in a relatively short period of time. ..'.. ,. "I'm not sure we're realizing the benefits many people think we derive from contracting out under the commercial activities program. . ." it can be done, but it's going to take the efforts of all of us in the materiel So, development process working together, sharing information, together, sharing the information, working as hard as we can to turn out a piece of equipment within that four-yea- r period. It's one of the greatest challenges I've ever seen placed upon any of us that have been in the- research and - development business. Q. Several TEGOM installations are undergoing Commercial Activities studies of some functionsHow do you rate TECOM performance in this area? A. The Commercial Activ- ities study is mandated by Congress, and it does indeed cause an inward look at how a government organization does business. That is a plus factor because competition does bring efficiencies. It brings efficiencies,, because people have to learn how to work smarter as a result of this type of competition. I'm not sure we are realizing the benefits many people think we derive from contracting out under the Commercial: Activities program. There is, in my opinion, the opportunity for the contractor to buy in with a low bid but take an inordinately long period of time to reach a productivity level comparable to ,. government employees formerly doing that job. It's not always a smooth transition. Here at Aberdeen Proving Ground, as we transition in our motor maintenance contract from one in. dustrial contractor to another, there's a void because the. equipment has to be turned over. Often personnel changes, and the services the Army thinks it's buying, are not always there. We are engaged in the biggest Commercial Activi- - NAM So I am a big fan of the Model Installation Program. We have sought and received a large number of approvals to conduct business in a manner that we feel is more cost effective, more responsive and allows us to do a much better job within our resources, all for the benefits of Aberdeen Proving Ground. This program makes sense. We have already realized many benefits in the Model Installation Program. I hope that in time all Army and also Navy, Air Force and Marine installations will be taken under the Model Installation Program and will be allowed to conduct business as we are doing here. Right now the Model Installation Program is a pilot program, but frankly I think it has proven itself already. Q. Are you satisfied with the quality of life at TECOM Installation and Field Operating Activities? If not, how can it be improved? A. I have to say from the . outset I probably never would be satisfied with the quality of life of all of our in- stallations simply because we have not received the resources we should have over the 23 years TECOM has been in existence. Are we getting better? Yes, we are. Right here at Aberdeen Proving Ground we have a literal explosion of construc- tion. We're .building barracks and quarters for our unmarried soldiers and for soldiers. our married the Army we Throughout are receiving the resources, to improve the quality of life at all Army installations. We certainly have an awful long way to go. I truly hope the president's budget is supported because within that budget are the dollar resources we need to really See Anderson paje 4 , |