News

AUSA Symposium Abstract 2014

How are you staying connected to the face of change in the US Army from the Pentagon to the motor pool? Despite the continuing challenges of sequestration, declining budgets and force structure reductions, opportunities for private industry abound. It’s important to understand what the Army is looking for and bring solutions to the table, not a product sales book. What follows is a summary of the presentations at this year’s Association of the Army Winter Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama, from 19-21 February 2014.

The theme for this year’s conference was “America’s Army: Sustaining, Training, and Equipping for the Future.” The inference from what was said, and equally important what was not said, was clear. The budget is coming down, Army force structure will be reduced significantly, and Army priorities must be set carefully, choosing where it will accept risk in its investment strategy. Senior leader and panel presentations addressed three specific areas: Requirements, Acquisition/Modernization and Sustainment. The priorities highlighted were:

Requirements: Training and Doctrine Command

• The force must be leaner but equal to or more capable than today’s Army
• It must be expeditionary, mission tailored, regionally aligned and globally responsive
• It must have increased mobility, lethality and offer greater Soldier protection; the equipment must be lighter, smaller in size and have lower power demands
• TRADOC’s priorities for the Army of 2025
o Lighter, more capable force and equipment
o Mission command on the move
o Longer range precision fires
o Reduced power/energy demand
o Integrated, autonomous chemical, biological, radiological detection capabilities

Acquisition/Modernization: Army Acquisition Executive

• First priority is technology insertion opportunities in the current equipment; looking to save size and weight while increasing performance; need to decrease power/energy demand while increasing power availability
• Will accept risk in S&T investments; allowing more time for leap-ahead technology to develop in the tech base
• Established a Joint Acquisition Sustainment Review Board process with the Army Materiel Command to maintain the right investment balance between sustainment and modernization

Recap/Reset/Sustainment: Army Materiel Command

• Priority to maintaining current fleet readiness
• Strike the right balance between the organic and defense industrial base
• Pursue breakthrough technologies through the AMC Chief Technology Office

So again, how are you staying connected…? If you want to strengthen your answer, contact us at 703-824-0300.