Description
Organization: NAVAIR, PEO (T), PMA-201
Team Name: Joint Standoff Weapon Program Team
Related Acquisition Topic(s): Alpha Contracting, Commercial and Non Developmental Items (CANDI), Contract Logistics Support (CLS), Cost As an Independent Variable (CAIV), Cycle Time Reduction (CTR), Integrated Digital Environment (IDE), Integrated Product Teams (IPT), Paperless Contracting, Performance Based Acquisition, Performance Specs and Standards, Specifications and Standards
Description:
The JSOW Program Team has and continues to provide effective and affordable weapons that fulfill the needs of our warfighters when and where they need them. Through the leadership of PMA-201, the JSOW Team has aggressively incorporated acquisition streamlining and many of the core principles and processes resulting from acquisition reform into an extremely effective and efficient ACAT I Program. JSOW is the first generation of precision GPS guided weapons which now allows pilots to standoff outside of enemy defenses to employ the weapon. This Team demonstrated what a truly joint, integrated program Team can achieve by ensuring that highly capable weapons were available to the warfighters in the most expeditious and economical way. On January 25th, 1999, the JSOW was successfully initiated into the warfighting environment when 3 JSOWs (AGM-154As) were fired against Iraqi targets, thus achieving Initial Operational Capability one year ahead of schedule. JSOW not only revolutionized strike warfare providing standoff capability but immediately became the warfighter's weapon of choice. This operational success was accomplished through the JSOW Team's untiring support and tenacity of purpose to achieve their single focused goal of putting JSOW in the hands of our joint warfighters: faster, cheaper, and lethal.
As of 1 December 1999, a total of 62 JSOWs have been launched in combat against targets that were elements of the of the Iraq and Serbia/Kosovo missile defense systems. The overall performance has been impressive (100% on target) meeting or exceeding expectations. The JSOW has caused those remaining enemy systems to take an even more defensive posture. The above cited operational successes are a true testament to the accomplishments of the JSOW Team. The Team is not sitting on it's laurels, they are aggressively managing the risk associated with the development and acquisition of the next two variants. These two variants will provide the warfighter with an expanded target set. Through innovation, integrated US Navy/AF and Industry Team, and exceptional management, this Team continues to mastermind a balance of design requirements, program constraints, and acquisition streamlining initiatives to have a positive impact on cost, schedule, and performance. The following highlight some of the JSOW Team's 1999 initiatives:
The Team's expert execution of a Cost As an Independent Variable (CAIV) initiative resulted in a cost avoidance to the AGM-154C Program of $643M-still able to prosecute 95% of original target set at 55% of the cost.
IPT effort that included the contractor, the test community and the program office was able to reduce Unitary variant test articles by 50% resulting in $3.5M cost avoidance.
The Team's total dedication to cost reductions resulted in the initiation and execution of the following affordable readiness issues for all JSOW variants:
Innovative utilization of joint surveillance vs servicable-in-service-time driven testing will provide a 21.5% maintenance reduction, $43M transportation cost avoidance and $40M program cost avoidance by using portable test equipment.
The use of All-Up-Round (AUR) contractor depot versus organic depot will provide a $24.2M cost avoidance
The JSOW Team executed a 20-year bumper-to-bumper warranty costing less than 2% of AUR and saving millions of dollars in spare parts and "I" level support requirements. The JSOW Team was able to accomplish this effort by taking lessons learned from other DoD systems and following best commercial practice standards.
Use of commercial parts, without jeopardizing performance and reliability, significantly reduced AUR costs. Combined efforts of the AF and Navy PEOs, the JSOW program manager, DARPA, and the contractor resulted in redesign of machined Mid-Body section with a single casting replacing 33 fabricated parts and 233 purchased parts with one casting with a $78M ROI Established online distribution of deliverables. Distribution includes Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and all deliverables that are required by the contract for information or approval. Review time for most deliverables, including ECPs, was reduced by 80%. Implemented a Design-to-Cost program to reduce the overall cost of the JSOW common components. The following two are examples:
Combined efforts of JSOW program manager and the contractor resulted in redesign of a Low Cost Guidance Electronics Unit (LCGEU) with the same performance, 60% less parts, Compatible with all JSOW variants. Achieves >$700M ROI.
Combined efforts of JSOW program manager and the contractor resulted in redesign of a Low Cost Control Section (LCCS) with better performance, 45% less parts, $60M ROI.
Initiated an Alpha process reducing contract award leadtime to 4 months
The Statement of Work was reduced to 17 pages versus 113 pages
Issued a performance specification vice the traditional detailed systems spec
Contract Data Requirements Lists were reduced to 41 versus 200 deliverables
Reduced MIL SPECs/Standards requirements - - 4 MIL-SPECs versus 1500 other types
The JSOW Team's exemplary Teamwork and extraordinary service have led to lasting contributions that will continue to achieve the best value for the government, and provide a benchmark for other weapon system acquisition programs. The JSOW Team's performance has been exemplary. Meeting or execeeding cost, schedule and performance requirements. Their development approach takes full advantage of the latest OSD streamlining and integrated production management initiatives to achieve accelerated production deliveries. Combining industry best practices and partnering with industry supplies generates significant reductions in development costs for the program. Total Program savings will provide the opportunity for the warfighter to have more JSOWs for use in peacekeeping and other mission areas. The success of the functional design and operational capability of JSOW was aptly supported by the early deployment to the Fleet and its recent success in combat. The JSOW Team continues to be most successful in meeting it's goal of providing affordable weapons to our warfighters, when and where they are needed.
