WATERVLIET ARSENAL, N.Y. (July 2015) -- After nearly 15 years of sustained support to wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than 20 leaders from the Army's industrial base converged on the Watervliet Arsenal on July 8 to discuss how best to support our Army as it prepares for the next unpredictable crisis.
The purpose of this gathering was to bring together key program managers for the Army's ground combat systems together with select leadership from the Army's arsenals and depots to discuss cost, schedules, and above all, quality, said Col. Lee H. Schiller Jr., the Arsenal commander.
"The ultimate goal for this event is to look at the challenges and initiatives that will ensure the long-term viability of the Army's industrial base, especially in an environment of declining defense budgets and requirements," Schiller said. "If we remain viable, to our communities and to our nation, then we know that we are providing critical sustained support to our troops, support that today cannot come from outside of the Army's industrial base."
Given that all attendees have either been the recipient of Watervliet products or had previously worked hand-in-hand with the Arsenal's manufacturing center, limited time was spent providing overview briefings of the Arsenal's operations before the group moved to observe the quality control process in the production centers. Additionally, the U.S. Army's Benét Laboratories, which is collocated on the Arsenal, was a key part of the series of discussions about how research and design is weaved into every step of the quality control process.
What everyone observed during the tour went beyond the standard orientation visit because of the heavy focus on quality. A significant amount of explanation and demonstration was spent on such quality control processes as magnetic particle inspection, ultrasound testing, metrology checks, and first article inspections of vendor products.
Why so much effort on quality?
Beyond the cost of its products or its on-time delivery rate, many believe that the Arsenal's number one contribution to a Soldier is its quality. The last thing any leader wants is for his or her troops to hesitate in the heat of battle because they do not trust their weapon system. The unwavering confidence that a Soldier has in his weapon system is due to Arsenal quality.
The Arsenal's quality assurance process begins at the gate when raw stock or unfinished products arrive for manufacturing and continues throughout the life cycle of the weapon system it manufactures.
The summit also provided a venue for the attendees to see firsthand the Arsenal's critical skill capabilities that have supported every U.S. Soldier since the War of 1812. With nearly 600 manufacturing machines, the Arsenal demonstrated its capability to provide full-scale metal manufacturing of products that range from 30-foot howitzer tubes to a firing pin that can fit into a pants pocket.
"I was very proud to host this event and to have the chance to showcase the Arsenal's capabilities and its outstanding workforce," Schiller said. "I believe that as partners in the Army's industrial base we are now better focused on how to best to support our Army in a complex world."
According to Schiller, this summit was the second iteration of a recent initiative by arsenal and depot leadership to improve the Army's industrial base. The first roundtable session was conducted at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois earlier this year.
Attendees represented such organizations as the Rock Island Arsenal, Anniston Army Depot, TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center, U.S. Army's Main Battle Tank Systems, and the U.S. Army's Armored Fighting Vehicle Systems.
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The Watervliet Arsenal is an Army-owned-and-operated manufacturing facility and is the oldest, continuously operating arsenal in the United States, having begun operations during the War of 1812. It celebrated its 200th anniversary in July 2013.
Today's Arsenal is relied upon by U.S. and foreign militaries to produce the most advanced, high-tech, high-powered weaponry for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems. This National Historic Registered Landmark has an annual economic benefit to the local community in excess of $90 million, and its 2014 revenue was about $117 million.
A part of the Weapons & Software Engineering (WSEC), Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC), Benét is located at the historic Watervliet Arsenal in upstate New York. The collocation of Arsenal manufacturing and Benét Labs offers military and civilian business entities a one-stop shop for research, design, prototype development, full manufacturing, and long-term customer service.
Related Links:
Watervliet Arsenal Newsletter: The Salvo
Watervliet Arsenal Story: Watervliet machinists ship out to Fort Lee for 'basic' Army training
Watervliet Arsenal Slideshare Page
Watervliet Arsenal YouTube Page
Watervliet Arsenal Twitter Page
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