TEXARKANA, Texas - With the establishment of an Armored Security Vehicle production facility, Red River Army Depot is fully engaged in the Department of Defense's sustainment of an efficient military fleet. When the Army began its search for a vehicle to provide flexibility and defensive capabilities for today's military and for projected future requirements, the ASV M1117 met the requirements.
"RRAD did an outstanding job completing the initial 120 ASVs work loaded to the depot. Based on their great performance to date, an order to repair 300 additional systems has been placed and funded for this fiscal year," said Commander, TACOM-LCMC, Maj. Gen. Kurt J. Stein during his visit to RRAD 9 March.
A 120 vehicle pilot program requiring 10/20 reset was completed in February at Red River. This program provided the opportunity to establish work station instructions, training, special tooling and establish parts on hand. With available unserviceable ASV assets at the depot, 300 have been identified as candidates for the 10/20 scope of work program. The program began the first week of March with production orders being established in blocks of 43 and full production scheduled to begin in May.
The ASV is not a stranger to RRAD skilled technicians. In 2008, Textron and Red River partnered on a vehicle program that included battle damage repair. This partnering initiative provided RRAD a distinct advantage when it came time to establish a production facility to service the ASV. The partnering initiative and the Bradley and MLRS system similarities with the ASV resulted in enhanced capabilities for the depot to provide expert advice, quality performance and expedited production schedules. The establishment of a specific ASV production facility was greatly expedited by drawing from established production areas where qualified technicians were easily able to adjust to the similar system of the ASV.
"The years of Bradley electronic and MLRS experience prevented many obstacles in the start-up of the ASV line," said Combat Division Chief Joe Bell.
From day one Lean initiatives and the Logistics Modernization Program have provided valuable avenues to incorporate efficiencies and state-of-the art applications in establishing the production processes. The pilot program provided real-time lessons learned used to set up the line, identify skill sets, equipment and parts requirements. Lean and LMP processes continue to provide valuable outcomes daily in the continuation of the program.
"As budgets get tighter and requirements decline, we all need to do everything we can, every day, to provide the very best value possible for our Army," said Stein during his visit.
The M1117 ASV is used by the Army for its military police and convoy protection and for combat observation teams. It is a highly mobile and survivable 4X4 wheeled vehicle. It is designed to provide maximum survivability with external armor panels providing ballistic protection against various small-arms and fragment threats with a minimum weight penalty. The vehicle offers mobility, agility, handling and ride quality through the utilization of a four-wheel independent suspension system. With minor modifications and appropriate outfitting, ASV variants can perform a wide variety of missions including scout, infantry personnel carrier, reconnaissance, command and recovery.
The vehicle can speed along at 70 mph and accelerate in a relatively short time span. It can navigate a 60 percent vertical grade and a 30 percent side-grade. It can navigate urban streets, giving the Army both flexibility and defensive capabilities that the High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle and small tanks can't match.
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