4.1.1 Applying Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) on the U. S. Army Multi‐Role Armament and Ammunition System (MRAAS)

Abstract

AbstractThe following quote was made by then Secretary of Defense, Dr. William Perry, on 10 May 1995.“…I am directing a fundamental change in the way the Department acquires goods and services. The concepts of IPPD and IPTs shall be applied throughout the acquisition process to the maximum extent practicable.”The purpose of this directive was to help reduce the “cost of the acquisition process by the elimination of activities that, although being performed by many dedicated and hardworking personnel, are not necessary or cost effective in today's environment.” Subsequently, the DoD Guide to Integrated Product and Process Development was released. This guide defines IPPD as, “A management process that integrates all activities from product concept through production/field support, using a multifunctional team, to simultaneously optimize the product and its manufacturing and sustainment processes to meet cost and performance objectives.”Since 1995, the various components of the United States Department of Defense have been implementing IPPD by allowing program managers the flexibility to choose the best IPPD practices and tools available for their programs. Much of the focus has been on acquisition programs, but the use of IPPD is now being pushed back into the Science and Technology (S&T) area as well. In fact, the Air Force Research Laboratory policy now is to use IPPD on all Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) Programs. The U.S. Army has also applied IPPD on several S&T programs such as the Future Scout Cavalry System (FSCS).This paper presents the results of applying IPPD on the U. S. Army Multi‐Role Armament and Ammunition System (MRAAS) Munition Suite Program. We first introduce the MRAAS Munition Suite Program and the rationale for the IPPD Process USFD—including the definition of the systems engineering process and tools. We then discuss the specific application of this process on the MRAAS Munition Suite Program. An overall objective was to apply the systems engineering process early in the life cycle of the system beginning with concept definition through manufacturing development into full‐scale production. In this discussion, we describe the unique approach that was used in the Request for Proposal (RFP) and subsequent contract award. We conclude with results to date of the application of the IPPD Process and offer observations for application to other Defense programs.