PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - As 2010 came to a close Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems leaders highlighted the past year's successes during an all-hands meeting and awards ceremony at the Cannon Gates Catering and Conference Center here Dec. 15.
"We all know we're working hard, but we don't always realize what we've collectively done for the warfighters," Col. Scott Turner, the Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems, said, adding that reviewing the past year's actions will inspire the organization to delve into the work awaiting them in the future.
Some of the accomplishments he highlighted included the fielding of the M326 Mortar Stowage Kits and the 155mm M1066 Infrared Illumination Projectile to troops.
The M326 Mortar Stowage Kits make it easier for Soldiers to quickly set-up and take down the M120 120-mm mortar systems.
The M1066 Infrared Illumination Projectile significantly enhances the Army's ability to conduct covert night time operations.
PM-CAS employees also delivered more than 660,000 mortar rounds, 382,000 artillery projectiles, 21,000 artillery fuzes, 5 million charges and cartridges, and 368 Excalibur precision rounds to the Army.
"If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that we would accomplish everything that we've accomplished - I'm not sure I would have believed them," Turner said of the more than 450 contract actions PM-CAS awarded in 2010. "It takes everybody to make PM-CAS work, so thanks to everyone."
While the entire PM-CAS group has been integral to this year's operations, during the meeting Turner and Rene Kiebler, Deputy PM-CAS, honored three individuals for their exceptional work throughout 2010.
Professional of the Year:
Marianne Shuster was recognized for serving as the Procuring Contracting Officer for the Office of Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems on the Excalibur precision artillery round and Precision Guidance Kit programs.
She solicited program requirements, communicated effectively with industry partners, analyzed proposals and negotiated fair and reasonable prices, meeting PM's program objectives and award schedules, resolving contractual issues, and incorporating risk reductions.
Engineer of the Year:
Charlie Patel's efforts resulted in the Army qualifying new insensitive explosive IMX-101 for use in artillery rounds.
Through Patel's hard work and dedication to performance, schedule and cost, IMX-101 was approved as the first safer and effective replacement for TNT explosive in artillery.
This decision will revolutionize the way military ordnance is storied and transported, and will save lives. IMX-101 will be included in all future production of 155mm M795 and M1122 projectiles, and qualification is underway for the 105mm M1 projectile.
IMX-101 was named one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2010" by TIME Magazine.
Leader of the Year:
Marty Moratz led the Conventional Ammunition Division (CAD) in planning and executing more than $800 million dollars worth of indirect fire ammunition.
He personally led the CAD in planning for and producing more than one million artillery rounds and mortar cartridges, and more than 1.3 million 155mm MACS charges.
Under Moratz leadership the CAD organization has also increased the capability of Soldiers and Marines by achieving Full Material Release of the 155mm M1066 IR Illumination round; the 105mm M1064 IR Illumination round; and Type Classification Standard of the 155mm M1122 Training round.
Moratz was the chief architect in developing the 155mm M483 re-use program, which reuses existing M483 cargo carrying shell bodies and replaces the existing dual-purpose improved conventional munitions payload with updated mission specific payloads. The first successful example of this approach is the M1122 Training round which provides more realistic training for Soldiers and saves about $70 per round.
In addition, Moratz has been the driving force behind four key quality initiatives implemented within CAD that are improving the way we plan, produce, deliver ammunition.
PM-CAS is part of the Program Executive Office for Ammunition, located at Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.
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