INDUSTRY INTERVIEW: BAE Systems

MLF 2009 Volume: 3 Issue: 8 (September)

Morris has held a variety of leadership positions within BAE Systems and was a former officer in the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve.

Q: What is BAE Systems’ current military logistics footprint?

A: BAE Systems’ GTS designs, tests, produces and supports tactical wheeled vehicles for U.S. and global customers. We take pride in our unsurpassed record of delivering capable, high-quality and reliability tactical wheeled vehicles, ranging from MRAPs to the ubiquitous FMTVs that are making an impact for servicemen and women around the world. In addition to our FMTVs, which perform numerous roles— from carrying cargo to being a platform for firing multiple launch rocket system missiles—one of our most important contributions has been our work with MRAPs. Our global vehicle portfolio includes multiple additional ground combat and mine protected vehicles.

BAE Systems designed and produced three of five MRAP variants used by the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Caiman MRAPs were designed and produced at our Sealy, Texas, plant where we also produce FMTVs. They share parts of the same assembly line. The RG-31 MRAPs, marketed by General Dynamics, were designed and produced at our facilities in South Africa. Our sister business unit, U.S. Combat Systems, designed and produced the RG-33 MRAPs.

GTS also produces the low signature armored cabs at our Sealy facility that protect our service men and women operating FMTVs in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are currently producing a new variant of FMTV trucks with the long term armor strategy cabs that allow the truck to easily change from a lightly armored to a fully armored configuration.

Q: As a major player in the military logistics arena, how is BAE Systems helping DoD meet current key logistics objectives?

A: Our motto is: “We protect those who protect us.” Our objective is to support the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who use our products. GTS has 156 highly skilled field service representatives [FSRs] who are certified to U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s certification standards and deployed around the world in support of our platforms and warfighters. Our FSRs provide instant feedback and solutions on all sustainment issues to enable our platforms to maintain high operational readiness levels.

We deploy trainers to develop warfighter expertise by bringing units up to speed on equipment they will use in theater. With the large number of FSRs deployed and colocated with forward units, the information they possess is crucial to taking proactive steps to resolve field issues. Our product support personnel collect and analyze data on maintenance problems, parts status, tooling issues, warranty claims, training shortages and more.

We’ve built and sustained more than 56,000 FMTVs and trailers during the past 17 years. The parts commonality among the 17 FMTV production models significantly reduces logistics burdens and operating costs for the Army. This commonality and our FSR support have been instrumental in achieving the FMTV’s 94 percent sustained operational readiness rate in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Q: Please provide some background on BAE Systems and the company’s work with DoD in the logistics arena.

A: BAE Systems was among the first companies to join the DoD-sponsored publicprivate partnership [PPP], which takes private industry’s best practices and incorporates them into the Army’s depot industrial base. Our PPP centers on FMTV reset operations. We overhaul war-worn trucks to like-new condition and quickly return them to field units to ensure they are properly equipped.

Since entering the PPP with Red River Army Depot [RRAD] in September 2006, GTS has completed reset operations on approximately 750 trucks, expects to complete another 518 FMTV trucks in 2010, and is proactively preparing for a projected surge in reset operations.

GTS provides a full suite of logistics sustainment operations for Caiman MRAPs, being the first original equipment manufacturer to deploy FSRs to Iraq in support of MRAP fleets—GTS employees always go to the sound of the guns. FSRs quickly completed training at the government- sponsored MRAP University at RRAD, and deployed to support all five MRAP variants. This allowed theater commanders to quickly execute new equipment training and fielding operations and put forces in DoD’s most survivable platform. Our FSRs continue assisting field units to maintain high operational readiness rates, including a 95 percent readiness rate for the Caiman over the last seven months in continuous combat operations.

Q: What are some of the main challenges you are facing in meeting the needs of the 21st century warfighter?

A: The Army and Marine Corps’ 235,000 trucks and 118,000 trailers were designed in a pre-IED age. We must address a costeffective route forward for tactical wheeled vehicles.

BAE Systems’ GTS will continue to strengthen our strategic partnerships with DoD agencies to meet reset, recapitalization, survivability and logistics sustainment challenges. GTS will remain closely linked with Army TACOM and other key customers to ensure consistently modern and mission-ready vehicles. ♦

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