1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:14,740 --> 00:00:16,740 Good morning ladies and gentlemen , 3 00:00:16,740 --> 00:00:18,962 thank you for joining us today for this 4 00:00:18,962 --> 00:00:21,018 historic announcement for the army . 5 00:00:21,340 --> 00:00:23,451 We'll have some opening comments from 6 00:00:23,451 --> 00:00:25,229 Colonel Scott Madore PM soldier 7 00:00:25,229 --> 00:00:27,800 lethality in regards to the award of 8 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:30,450 this contract . Those those comments 9 00:00:30,450 --> 00:00:32,617 will be followed by opening statements 10 00:00:32,617 --> 00:00:35,040 by our panel . Brigadier General Larry 11 00:00:35,040 --> 00:00:37,170 Burress , Soldier lethality Cross 12 00:00:37,170 --> 00:00:39,830 functional Team Director followed by 13 00:00:39,830 --> 00:00:41,774 Brigadier General William Barr . A 14 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:44,090 joint program Executive officer , 15 00:00:44,180 --> 00:00:47,210 armaments and ammunition to be followed 16 00:00:47,210 --> 00:00:49,154 by Colonel scott Madore PM soldier 17 00:00:49,154 --> 00:00:51,240 lethality . Upon completion of the 18 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:53,129 opening statements will then take 19 00:00:53,129 --> 00:00:55,351 questions . I will ask that you ask one 20 00:00:55,351 --> 00:00:57,573 question and a follow up and if we have 21 00:00:57,573 --> 00:01:00,130 the opportunity uh to Come back we'll 22 00:01:00,130 --> 00:01:02,090 do that as well . We have about 50 23 00:01:02,090 --> 00:01:05,930 minutes for this uh media roundtable . 24 00:01:05,940 --> 00:01:08,051 So we'll go ahead and begin . Colonel 25 00:01:08,051 --> 00:01:10,051 Adore with your opening . Thank you 26 00:01:10,051 --> 00:01:12,162 David . Hey , good morning ladies and 27 00:01:12,162 --> 00:01:14,218 gentlemen , thank you for joining us 28 00:01:14,218 --> 00:01:16,384 this morning . I'm carl scott Madore . 29 00:01:16,384 --> 00:01:18,162 The project Manager for soldier 30 00:01:18,162 --> 00:01:20,218 lethality as most of you may already 31 00:01:20,218 --> 00:01:22,107 know . Yesterday evening the army 32 00:01:22,107 --> 00:01:23,996 awarded the next generation squad 33 00:01:23,996 --> 00:01:26,420 weapon production contract to six hour 34 00:01:26,430 --> 00:01:28,152 for the production of the next 35 00:01:28,152 --> 00:01:30,097 generation squad weapon , rifles , 36 00:01:30,097 --> 00:01:32,900 automatic rifles and ammunition . This 37 00:01:32,900 --> 00:01:34,900 down select and production contract 38 00:01:34,900 --> 00:01:37,030 award is the culmination of over two 39 00:01:37,030 --> 00:01:38,752 years of intensive soldier and 40 00:01:38,752 --> 00:01:40,863 technical testing . The contract is a 41 00:01:40,863 --> 00:01:43,550 10 year indefinite delivery indefinite 42 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:46,110 quantity production contract with the 43 00:01:46,120 --> 00:01:49,130 first delivery order for $20.4 million 44 00:01:49,130 --> 00:01:51,830 dollars with that . I'll turn it over 45 00:01:51,830 --> 00:01:54,660 to general Boris for his opening 46 00:01:54,660 --> 00:01:56,771 comments . Good morning , I'd like to 47 00:01:56,771 --> 00:01:58,827 welcome all of you and thank you for 48 00:01:58,827 --> 00:02:00,604 for your time today . I greatly 49 00:02:00,604 --> 00:02:02,716 appreciate what you do to ensure your 50 00:02:02,716 --> 00:02:02,200 audiences know what we're doing at the 51 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:04,422 soldier lethality cross functional team 52 00:02:04,422 --> 00:02:06,422 and our partner program . Executive 53 00:02:06,422 --> 00:02:09,220 offices PE oh soldier and J P J P E O A 54 00:02:09,220 --> 00:02:11,250 and a and understand why we do it . 55 00:02:11,840 --> 00:02:13,896 What we're doing is facilitating the 56 00:02:13,896 --> 00:02:15,451 rapid fielding of increased 57 00:02:15,451 --> 00:02:17,507 capabilities to enhance stability of 58 00:02:17,507 --> 00:02:20,290 the soldier and squad to fight , win 59 00:02:20,300 --> 00:02:22,522 and survive on the modern battlefield . 60 00:02:22,522 --> 00:02:24,744 We do this effectively at the CFT level 61 00:02:24,744 --> 00:02:26,967 by focusing on requirements and working 62 00:02:26,967 --> 00:02:28,522 with our partners to pursue 63 00:02:28,522 --> 00:02:30,689 capabilities that enhance and increase 64 00:02:30,689 --> 00:02:33,110 the lethality , mobility , protection 65 00:02:33,120 --> 00:02:35,287 and situational awareness of the close 66 00:02:35,287 --> 00:02:37,509 combat force . And we're doing that for 67 00:02:37,509 --> 00:02:39,453 the purpose of achieving a clear , 68 00:02:39,453 --> 00:02:41,398 decisive and sustainable overmatch 69 00:02:41,398 --> 00:02:43,620 against our near peer adversaries . Let 70 00:02:43,620 --> 00:02:45,731 me focus on that statement for just a 71 00:02:45,731 --> 00:02:47,787 moment for a time early on after the 72 00:02:47,787 --> 00:02:49,898 establishment of army futures command 73 00:02:49,898 --> 00:02:52,064 and the C F T s . We talked about near 74 00:02:52,064 --> 00:02:54,120 peer adversaries frequently that was 75 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,009 the phrase we use and it became a 76 00:02:56,009 --> 00:02:57,842 talking point and talking points 77 00:02:57,842 --> 00:02:57,440 eventually becomes Stella for not 78 00:02:57,440 --> 00:02:59,662 careful , we probably haven't discussed 79 00:02:59,662 --> 00:03:01,773 that phrase in a while , but today as 80 00:03:01,773 --> 00:03:03,940 we share with you that we've reached a 81 00:03:03,940 --> 00:03:06,051 major milestone in the pursuit of the 82 00:03:06,051 --> 00:03:08,051 next generation combat weapons That 83 00:03:08,051 --> 00:03:10,162 will give our close combat forces the 84 00:03:10,162 --> 00:03:10,010 capabilities they need to fill the gaps 85 00:03:10,330 --> 00:03:12,052 identified in the small arms , 86 00:03:12,052 --> 00:03:14,870 ammunition configuration study of 2017 . 87 00:03:14,970 --> 00:03:16,859 I want to emphasize that the goal 88 00:03:16,859 --> 00:03:18,748 remains the same . We are here to 89 00:03:18,748 --> 00:03:20,590 establish and maintain overmatch 90 00:03:20,630 --> 00:03:22,890 against near peer adversaries and that 91 00:03:22,890 --> 00:03:25,057 is more urgent and relevant today than 92 00:03:25,057 --> 00:03:29,010 any time in recent history . The 2017 93 00:03:29,010 --> 00:03:31,210 sacks study validated a standing 94 00:03:31,210 --> 00:03:33,432 requirement for increased energy at the 95 00:03:33,432 --> 00:03:35,321 target and identified the need to 96 00:03:35,321 --> 00:03:37,432 reduce shooter error through advanced 97 00:03:37,432 --> 00:03:39,730 fire control capabilities . The next 98 00:03:39,730 --> 00:03:42,640 generation program began in 2018 to 99 00:03:42,640 --> 00:03:44,710 meet that need encounter and defeat 100 00:03:44,710 --> 00:03:46,766 emerging , protected and unprotected 101 00:03:46,766 --> 00:03:48,932 threats . As the director of the cross 102 00:03:48,932 --> 00:03:51,043 functional team and the commandant of 103 00:03:51,043 --> 00:03:53,266 the U . S . Army Infantry School , I am 104 00:03:53,266 --> 00:03:55,432 committed to that mission . We are one 105 00:03:55,432 --> 00:03:57,154 giant step closer to achieving 106 00:03:57,154 --> 00:03:59,210 overmatch against global adversaries 107 00:03:59,210 --> 00:03:58,670 and threats that emerge on the 108 00:03:58,670 --> 00:04:01,150 battlefields of today and tomorrow . We 109 00:04:01,150 --> 00:04:03,317 are simply pausing here to acknowledge 110 00:04:03,317 --> 00:04:05,372 that we've arrived at a milestone in 111 00:04:05,372 --> 00:04:07,594 this process with the award of a vendor 112 00:04:07,594 --> 00:04:09,761 contract . We should note that this is 113 00:04:09,761 --> 00:04:11,817 the first time in our lifetime . The 114 00:04:11,817 --> 00:04:13,983 first time in 65 years , the army will 115 00:04:13,983 --> 00:04:15,872 field a new weapon system of this 116 00:04:15,872 --> 00:04:18,039 nature , a rifle and automatic rifle , 117 00:04:18,039 --> 00:04:20,261 a fire control system and a new caliber 118 00:04:20,261 --> 00:04:22,428 caliber family of ammunition . This is 119 00:04:22,428 --> 00:04:24,483 revolutionary and we arrived at this 120 00:04:24,483 --> 00:04:26,380 point in record time because we 121 00:04:26,380 --> 00:04:28,436 leveraged middle tier of acquisition 122 00:04:28,436 --> 00:04:30,491 rapid fielding authorities to enable 123 00:04:30,491 --> 00:04:32,380 speed and flexibility in defining 124 00:04:32,380 --> 00:04:34,310 requirements . Working with our 125 00:04:34,310 --> 00:04:36,421 partners in Tandem and a process that 126 00:04:36,421 --> 00:04:38,477 would have traditionally been linear 127 00:04:38,477 --> 00:04:40,477 and may have taken 8 to 10 years to 128 00:04:40,477 --> 00:04:42,588 complete And we arrived at this point 129 00:04:42,588 --> 00:04:44,754 in roughly 27 months and that's simply 130 00:04:44,754 --> 00:04:47,190 remarkable . It is necessary for us to 131 00:04:47,190 --> 00:04:49,246 develop capabilities at the speed of 132 00:04:49,246 --> 00:04:51,690 war necessity drives invention in this 133 00:04:51,690 --> 00:04:53,900 case necessity drives innovation and 134 00:04:53,900 --> 00:04:56,067 the role of the soldiers . CFT in this 135 00:04:56,067 --> 00:04:58,233 modernization enterprise is to develop 136 00:04:58,233 --> 00:05:00,344 capability documents informed by user 137 00:05:00,344 --> 00:05:02,567 experiments , assessments and technical 138 00:05:02,567 --> 00:05:04,456 technical demonstrations and then 139 00:05:04,456 --> 00:05:06,344 rapidly transition these approved 140 00:05:06,344 --> 00:05:08,400 requirements to our partners and the 141 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,233 army acquisition enterprise . We 142 00:05:10,233 --> 00:05:12,289 recently demonstrated the success of 143 00:05:12,289 --> 00:05:13,844 this process as we recently 144 00:05:13,844 --> 00:05:15,900 transitioned enhanced night vision , 145 00:05:15,900 --> 00:05:18,011 Goggle , Binocular to the maneuvering 146 00:05:18,011 --> 00:05:20,178 capabilities . Development integration 147 00:05:20,178 --> 00:05:22,289 directorate at Fort Benning and I use 148 00:05:22,289 --> 00:05:21,790 that example so you and your audiences 149 00:05:21,790 --> 00:05:23,846 can appreciate what this part of the 150 00:05:23,846 --> 00:05:25,901 process looks like from the start to 151 00:05:25,901 --> 00:05:27,790 finish . It is a new way of doing 152 00:05:27,790 --> 00:05:29,512 business and it is not without 153 00:05:29,512 --> 00:05:31,457 challenges but it is proving to be 154 00:05:31,457 --> 00:05:34,370 efficient and economical To get to this 155 00:05:34,370 --> 00:05:36,426 point and in order to ensure soldier 156 00:05:36,426 --> 00:05:38,648 acceptance . The NGS . W Team conducted 157 00:05:38,648 --> 00:05:40,759 18 soldier touch points and more than 158 00:05:40,759 --> 00:05:43,730 100 technical sub tests . More than 500 159 00:05:43,730 --> 00:05:45,452 soldiers , Marines and special 160 00:05:45,452 --> 00:05:47,397 operations soldiers contributed to 161 00:05:47,397 --> 00:05:50,440 20,000 hours of user feedback . This is 162 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:52,710 a process driven by data and shaped by 163 00:05:52,710 --> 00:05:54,630 the user . The close combat force 164 00:05:54,630 --> 00:05:56,797 soldier will ultimately benefit on the 165 00:05:56,797 --> 00:05:58,908 battlefield . The soldiers never seen 166 00:05:58,908 --> 00:06:01,130 this full suite of capabilities and one 167 00:06:01,130 --> 00:06:03,640 integrated system . We committed to 168 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:05,696 kidding kidding . The soldier in the 169 00:06:05,696 --> 00:06:08,000 squad as an integrated combat platform 170 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:09,969 in order to introduce and enhance 171 00:06:09,969 --> 00:06:11,530 capabilities , capabilities 172 00:06:11,530 --> 00:06:13,640 holistically and we are committed to 173 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,310 creating an architecture that 174 00:06:15,310 --> 00:06:17,390 facilitates technology , growth and 175 00:06:17,390 --> 00:06:19,279 capability capability integration 176 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:21,460 across those platforms . That is what 177 00:06:21,460 --> 00:06:23,460 we're getting after with the system 178 00:06:23,460 --> 00:06:25,516 having advanced capabilities and one 179 00:06:25,516 --> 00:06:27,682 integrated system will enhance soldier 180 00:06:27,682 --> 00:06:29,516 lethality and ensure we maintain 181 00:06:29,516 --> 00:06:31,516 overmatch . Thank you very much for 182 00:06:31,516 --> 00:06:33,571 your time and I look forward today's 183 00:06:33,571 --> 00:06:33,570 questions and now handed off to 184 00:06:33,570 --> 00:06:35,514 Brigadier general billboard . Good 185 00:06:35,514 --> 00:06:37,737 morning everybody . I'm british General 186 00:06:37,737 --> 00:06:39,848 Bill bora . I'm the program executive 187 00:06:39,848 --> 00:06:42,014 officer for armaments and ammunition . 188 00:06:42,014 --> 00:06:44,070 What a truly monumental and exciting 189 00:06:44,070 --> 00:06:45,959 day for the United States Army as 190 00:06:45,959 --> 00:06:48,181 Colonel Theodore and General Birds have 191 00:06:48,181 --> 00:06:50,181 mentioned the next generation squad 192 00:06:50,181 --> 00:06:52,292 weapon and ammunition will provide an 193 00:06:52,292 --> 00:06:54,459 immense increase in capability for the 194 00:06:54,459 --> 00:06:57,160 close combat force . As the J . P O . A 195 00:06:57,160 --> 00:06:59,327 and A . I'm honored to be assigned for 196 00:06:59,327 --> 00:07:01,480 providing world class ammunition for 197 00:07:01,480 --> 00:07:04,130 the new 6.8 millimeter caliber for the 198 00:07:04,130 --> 00:07:06,530 next generation squad weapons for for 199 00:07:06,530 --> 00:07:08,910 the decades to come . The next 200 00:07:08,910 --> 00:07:11,077 generation squad weapon will be filled 201 00:07:11,077 --> 00:07:13,380 with a full suite of 6.8 ammunition to 202 00:07:13,380 --> 00:07:16,120 support both combat and training . The 203 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:18,370 key combat cartridge for the system 204 00:07:18,370 --> 00:07:19,981 leverages that technology is 205 00:07:19,981 --> 00:07:22,037 successfully demonstrated in various 206 00:07:22,037 --> 00:07:24,340 small caliber improvements it builds 207 00:07:24,340 --> 00:07:26,610 upon the enhanced performance round the 208 00:07:26,610 --> 00:07:30,260 ep are in our current 5.56 inventory 209 00:07:30,270 --> 00:07:32,381 and enhancements in other calibers to 210 00:07:32,381 --> 00:07:34,950 address a broad spectrum of targets . 211 00:07:35,540 --> 00:07:38,600 Soldier feedback has been has been very 212 00:07:38,600 --> 00:07:41,700 positive on the 5.56 e . p . r . again 213 00:07:41,700 --> 00:07:44,150 the extended enhanced performance round 214 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:45,716 and the cartridge since its 215 00:07:45,716 --> 00:07:49,100 introduction since 2010 . However , the 216 00:07:49,100 --> 00:07:52,260 current 5.56 cartridge has been maxed 217 00:07:52,260 --> 00:07:54,538 out . From the performance perspective , 218 00:07:54,940 --> 00:07:56,829 the new weapon with its increased 219 00:07:56,829 --> 00:07:59,050 operating pressure and size allows the 220 00:07:59,050 --> 00:08:00,994 army to significantly increase the 221 00:08:00,994 --> 00:08:02,661 performance capability of the 222 00:08:02,661 --> 00:08:06,410 ammunition . These advanced uh 223 00:08:06,420 --> 00:08:08,930 these advances allow soldiers at the 224 00:08:08,930 --> 00:08:11,097 squad level to deliver improved target 225 00:08:11,097 --> 00:08:13,820 defeat at higher energies to advance 226 00:08:13,820 --> 00:08:16,460 threats at extended ranges over the 227 00:08:16,460 --> 00:08:18,349 next couple of years . Additional 228 00:08:18,349 --> 00:08:20,571 ammunition technologies such as reduced 229 00:08:20,571 --> 00:08:23,030 range range ammunition will be fielded 230 00:08:23,030 --> 00:08:24,974 to allow further flexibilities for 231 00:08:24,974 --> 00:08:26,780 soldiers to train with existing 232 00:08:26,790 --> 00:08:29,430 infrastructures . One key challenge my 233 00:08:29,430 --> 00:08:31,630 office and the army faces is equipping 234 00:08:31,750 --> 00:08:33,583 the war fighter force with a new 235 00:08:33,583 --> 00:08:36,150 caliber of ammunition . The army has 236 00:08:36,150 --> 00:08:38,317 not introduced a new caliber for about 237 00:08:38,317 --> 00:08:41,470 65 years . As we said earlier doing so 238 00:08:41,480 --> 00:08:43,536 required extensive coordination with 239 00:08:43,536 --> 00:08:45,702 the stakeholders across the enterprise 240 00:08:45,702 --> 00:08:47,424 to develop combat and training 241 00:08:47,424 --> 00:08:49,647 requirements , production capability as 242 00:08:49,647 --> 00:08:51,647 well as budgeting for procurement . 243 00:08:52,240 --> 00:08:54,700 Current current ammunition is such that 244 00:08:54,700 --> 00:08:56,367 the availability is almost an 245 00:08:56,367 --> 00:08:58,367 afterthought . You go to the supply 246 00:08:58,367 --> 00:09:00,589 point , you pick up your ammunition and 247 00:09:00,589 --> 00:09:02,644 you go out to the range and you fire 248 00:09:02,644 --> 00:09:04,700 your 5.62 . This is because the army 249 00:09:04,700 --> 00:09:06,867 has spent decades refining its process 250 00:09:06,867 --> 00:09:08,867 to ensure a sufficient inventory of 251 00:09:08,867 --> 00:09:10,922 5.56 ammunition is available and the 252 00:09:10,930 --> 00:09:13,570 industry base is present to continue re 253 00:09:13,570 --> 00:09:16,560 punishing on a consistent basis . Now 254 00:09:16,560 --> 00:09:19,450 can now consider preparing a new weapon 255 00:09:19,450 --> 00:09:21,450 fielding . Starting with absolutely 256 00:09:21,450 --> 00:09:23,617 zero inventory and the industrial base 257 00:09:23,617 --> 00:09:25,506 being established . It's daunting 258 00:09:25,506 --> 00:09:27,172 daunting indeed . My team has 259 00:09:27,172 --> 00:09:29,450 coordinated with P . O . Soldier and P . 260 00:09:29,450 --> 00:09:31,561 O . Lethality CFT to lay out a course 261 00:09:31,561 --> 00:09:33,394 to support readiness through the 262 00:09:33,394 --> 00:09:35,617 building of the industrial base at both 263 00:09:35,617 --> 00:09:38,160 six hour . And the Lake City Army 264 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:40,840 ammunition plant . The Lake City Army 265 00:09:40,850 --> 00:09:43,017 Army ammunition plant has already been 266 00:09:43,017 --> 00:09:45,760 providing projectiles for six hour and 267 00:09:45,760 --> 00:09:47,593 the other competitors during the 268 00:09:47,593 --> 00:09:49,538 prototyping phase will continue to 269 00:09:49,538 --> 00:09:51,704 provide all the projectiles as we move 270 00:09:51,704 --> 00:09:53,593 forward . We're going to build an 271 00:09:53,593 --> 00:09:55,816 interim capability for full cultures by 272 00:09:55,816 --> 00:09:57,982 modifying some of some of the existing 273 00:09:57,982 --> 00:10:00,204 equipment and floor space . While a new 274 00:10:00,204 --> 00:10:02,038 building is being constructed to 275 00:10:02,038 --> 00:10:03,760 provide the necessary enduring 276 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:06,800 capability . The timing of the interim 277 00:10:06,800 --> 00:10:08,967 and enduring capabilities coupled with 278 00:10:08,967 --> 00:10:10,689 the six hours ramping up their 279 00:10:10,689 --> 00:10:12,522 capabilities to provide the next 280 00:10:12,522 --> 00:10:14,467 generation squad weapon ammunition 281 00:10:14,467 --> 00:10:16,411 requirements . To build combat and 282 00:10:16,411 --> 00:10:18,578 training inventory is while supporting 283 00:10:18,578 --> 00:10:20,744 ongoing training , We're prepared , we 284 00:10:20,744 --> 00:10:22,744 are prepared to support the army by 285 00:10:22,744 --> 00:10:24,578 delivering the family of 68 next 286 00:10:24,578 --> 00:10:26,750 generation squad weapon ammunition for 287 00:10:26,750 --> 00:10:29,480 combat and training . This will equip 288 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:32,220 the close combat forces , enabling it 289 00:10:32,220 --> 00:10:34,790 to be ready through fire to live fire 290 00:10:34,790 --> 00:10:36,901 training and to address any threat it 291 00:10:36,901 --> 00:10:39,410 may encounter on the battlefield . This 292 00:10:39,410 --> 00:10:41,670 is truly an exciting day , the real 293 00:10:41,670 --> 00:10:43,726 work of the ammunition community and 294 00:10:43,726 --> 00:10:45,726 the next generation of squad weapon 295 00:10:45,726 --> 00:10:47,781 program goes into overdrive starting 296 00:10:47,781 --> 00:10:49,948 right now . So thank you very much . I 297 00:10:49,948 --> 00:10:51,781 look forward to your questions . 298 00:10:54,140 --> 00:10:56,470 Good morning . Uh , during this program 299 00:10:56,470 --> 00:10:58,692 and over the past several years P . O . 300 00:10:58,692 --> 00:11:00,526 Soldiers collaborated and worked 301 00:11:00,526 --> 00:11:02,359 closely with the soldier soldier 302 00:11:02,359 --> 00:11:04,581 lethality cross functional team as well 303 00:11:04,581 --> 00:11:06,850 as the joint program executive office 304 00:11:06,850 --> 00:11:08,960 for armaments and ammunition As an 305 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:11,182 integrated team . We conducted numerous 306 00:11:11,182 --> 00:11:13,349 testing events that included over 1000 307 00:11:13,349 --> 00:11:16,100 soldiers and resulted in over 20,000 308 00:11:16,100 --> 00:11:17,933 hours of soldier feedback on the 309 00:11:17,933 --> 00:11:21,190 prototype systems . During during the 310 00:11:21,190 --> 00:11:22,912 competition we took the user's 311 00:11:22,912 --> 00:11:25,320 requirements provided to us from the 312 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,542 soldier lethality Cross functional team 313 00:11:27,542 --> 00:11:29,709 provided those requirements to each of 314 00:11:29,709 --> 00:11:31,542 the next generation squad weapon 315 00:11:31,542 --> 00:11:33,598 competitors and allowed our industry 316 00:11:33,598 --> 00:11:35,709 partners to make system design trades 317 00:11:35,709 --> 00:11:37,320 in order to best address our 318 00:11:37,320 --> 00:11:39,153 requirements . We also allow the 319 00:11:39,153 --> 00:11:40,987 industry to innovate and iterate 320 00:11:40,987 --> 00:11:43,370 throughout the process so each company 321 00:11:43,380 --> 00:11:46,150 could provide the best most capable 322 00:11:46,150 --> 00:11:48,930 systems possible . The army has been 323 00:11:48,930 --> 00:11:50,986 fully transparent throughout testing 324 00:11:50,986 --> 00:11:53,041 and we provided all of the collected 325 00:11:53,041 --> 00:11:55,208 test data back to each company so each 326 00:11:55,208 --> 00:11:57,430 of them could continue to improve their 327 00:11:57,430 --> 00:11:59,541 designs . This competition has worked 328 00:11:59,541 --> 00:12:01,900 as we intended During the development 329 00:12:01,900 --> 00:12:04,011 and testing phase . Industry provided 330 00:12:04,011 --> 00:12:05,789 the army with systems that have 331 00:12:05,789 --> 00:12:07,956 significantly more capability than the 332 00:12:07,956 --> 00:12:10,740 M- 249 and M4 that they will replace in 333 00:12:10,740 --> 00:12:13,360 the close combat force . We have also 334 00:12:13,360 --> 00:12:15,050 leveraged the middle tier of 335 00:12:15,050 --> 00:12:17,070 acquisition authorities in order to 336 00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:18,890 accelerate system development , 337 00:12:18,900 --> 00:12:21,280 production and fielding timelines so we 338 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:23,447 can get this the next generation squad 339 00:12:23,447 --> 00:12:25,558 weapon into the hands of our soldiers 340 00:12:25,558 --> 00:12:28,550 as quickly as possible after all was 341 00:12:28,550 --> 00:12:30,772 said and done and the selection process 342 00:12:30,772 --> 00:12:33,160 was complete . The Sig sauer rifle and 343 00:12:33,160 --> 00:12:35,216 automatic rifle solutions with their 344 00:12:35,216 --> 00:12:37,327 integrated ammunition were determined 345 00:12:37,327 --> 00:12:39,604 to be the best value to the government . 346 00:12:39,940 --> 00:12:41,884 We would like to thank each of the 347 00:12:41,884 --> 00:12:43,996 competitors for their next generation 348 00:12:43,996 --> 00:12:45,884 squad weapons submissions and for 349 00:12:45,884 --> 00:12:47,940 participating in the next generation 350 00:12:47,940 --> 00:12:50,590 squad weapons competition . This strong 351 00:12:50,590 --> 00:12:52,423 competition ensured that we will 352 00:12:52,423 --> 00:12:54,368 continue to feel the best possible 353 00:12:54,368 --> 00:12:56,312 small arms capabilities to our war 354 00:12:56,312 --> 00:12:59,030 fighters . Thank you for attending . I 355 00:12:59,030 --> 00:13:01,910 look forward to your questions . Thank 356 00:13:01,910 --> 00:13:04,077 you . Panel for those opening comments 357 00:13:04,077 --> 00:13:06,299 will begin with questions in the room . 358 00:13:06,299 --> 00:13:09,580 We'll start with todd south from Army 359 00:13:09,580 --> 00:13:11,830 Times and as you asked to ask the 360 00:13:11,830 --> 00:13:13,886 question , would you state your name 361 00:13:13,886 --> 00:13:17,460 and affiliation to recording first time ? 362 00:13:18,390 --> 00:13:20,501 Um just to kind of overview questions 363 00:13:20,501 --> 00:13:22,668 for whoever is the most appropriate to 364 00:13:22,668 --> 00:13:24,723 answer . You mentioned your six hour 365 00:13:24,723 --> 00:13:26,723 winning the competition . Could you 366 00:13:26,723 --> 00:13:28,834 clarify or provide more details as to 367 00:13:28,834 --> 00:13:31,057 why six hours specifically one over its 368 00:13:31,057 --> 00:13:33,112 competitor and secondarily more of a 369 00:13:33,112 --> 00:13:35,279 fuller timeline on first unit equipped 370 00:13:35,279 --> 00:13:37,390 and ammunition delivery sir . If it's 371 00:13:37,390 --> 00:13:39,723 OK , I'll address the selection process . 372 00:13:39,723 --> 00:13:41,779 Um so as as many of you are probably 373 00:13:41,779 --> 00:13:43,946 aware , we conducted over the last two 374 00:13:43,946 --> 00:13:46,112 years , we conducted extensive testing 375 00:13:46,112 --> 00:13:48,560 really in two phases . The first phase 376 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:50,800 was was prototype testing phase one 377 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:52,856 where we did soldier touchpoints and 378 00:13:52,856 --> 00:13:54,689 the and the technical testing at 379 00:13:54,689 --> 00:13:56,911 General Burris reference in his opening 380 00:13:56,911 --> 00:13:58,578 remarks and that was really a 381 00:13:58,578 --> 00:14:01,010 diagnostic phase . So all that data 382 00:14:01,010 --> 00:14:03,810 went back to industry and that's where 383 00:14:03,810 --> 00:14:06,540 they were allowed a period of time to 384 00:14:06,540 --> 00:14:08,596 iterate on their designs and address 385 00:14:08,596 --> 00:14:10,762 those shortfalls and make those trades 386 00:14:10,762 --> 00:14:12,596 that I I mentioned in my opening 387 00:14:12,596 --> 00:14:14,930 remarks . Then we went into phase two 388 00:14:14,940 --> 00:14:17,162 portion and this was the four records . 389 00:14:17,162 --> 00:14:20,440 So um they we took the the updated 390 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:22,820 designs , the iterated designs , we put 391 00:14:22,820 --> 00:14:24,764 them through those same battery of 392 00:14:24,764 --> 00:14:26,876 tests um provide all that information 393 00:14:26,876 --> 00:14:28,876 back to industry . And then we went 394 00:14:28,876 --> 00:14:30,931 into the source selection process uh 395 00:14:30,931 --> 00:14:32,987 and at that point all of the factors 396 00:14:32,987 --> 00:14:34,987 were wait . Um and and in the end , 397 00:14:34,987 --> 00:14:37,270 like I said six hour um was determined 398 00:14:37,270 --> 00:14:40,330 to be the best value um and ultimately 399 00:14:40,340 --> 00:14:43,960 won the competition with 400 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:45,904 respect . First unit equipped , we 401 00:14:45,904 --> 00:14:48,600 anticipate now the O . T . Occurring in 402 00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:51,720 third quarter of fy 23 then first unit 403 00:14:51,720 --> 00:14:54,360 equipped around fourth quarter 23 . So 404 00:14:54,940 --> 00:14:57,107 um that's that's what we're looking at 405 00:14:57,107 --> 00:14:57,060 right now , 406 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:04,660 thank you . Just a follow up , Sorry , 407 00:15:04,670 --> 00:15:06,781 Jeff shovel task and purpose a follow 408 00:15:06,781 --> 00:15:09,360 up for regular General Boris you said 409 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:11,416 the first unit equipped was for , it 410 00:15:11,416 --> 00:15:14,020 was 1/4 quarter 23 . How long is it 411 00:15:14,020 --> 00:15:17,970 going to take to field all of the 412 00:15:17,980 --> 00:15:20,780 weapons and ammunition to the close 413 00:15:20,780 --> 00:15:24,630 combat force . So the the fielding of 414 00:15:24,630 --> 00:15:26,630 the weapon is based upon ammunition 415 00:15:26,630 --> 00:15:29,090 production . So as the vendor is able 416 00:15:29,090 --> 00:15:31,090 to produce ammunition and then Lake 417 00:15:31,090 --> 00:15:33,034 City ultimately comes on . What we 418 00:15:33,034 --> 00:15:35,257 don't want to do is feel the capability 419 00:15:35,257 --> 00:15:37,423 to a unit where we don't have training 420 00:15:37,423 --> 00:15:39,646 ammunition or contingency ammunition if 421 00:15:39,646 --> 00:15:41,812 required . And so that's what , that's 422 00:15:41,812 --> 00:15:44,050 what drives um the feeling of the 423 00:15:44,050 --> 00:15:46,610 weapon . And so the types of units that 424 00:15:46,610 --> 00:15:49,620 we would feel that to initially , how 425 00:15:49,620 --> 00:15:52,260 long is it going to take to come up 426 00:15:52,260 --> 00:15:55,980 with a a reservoir 6.8 millimeter 427 00:15:55,980 --> 00:15:58,570 ammunition adequate enough to field all 428 00:15:58,570 --> 00:16:01,060 of the weapons ? So , thank you for the 429 00:16:01,060 --> 00:16:03,520 question . I think uh we were going to 430 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:05,631 start working with six hours now that 431 00:16:05,631 --> 00:16:07,687 that they've been identified . Uh we 432 00:16:07,687 --> 00:16:09,909 already have started preparing the site 433 00:16:09,909 --> 00:16:12,131 for the new building . The new building 434 00:16:12,131 --> 00:16:14,076 will be stood up in Lake City Army 435 00:16:14,076 --> 00:16:16,298 ammunition plant . Uh and it will start 436 00:16:16,298 --> 00:16:19,450 producing around fy 25 26 . Uh We'll 437 00:16:19,450 --> 00:16:21,480 work with six hour , we're clearing 438 00:16:21,480 --> 00:16:24,150 some space now at the at the Lakefield 439 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:26,480 Lake City facility uh to start the 440 00:16:26,490 --> 00:16:29,190 production . Uh but we we will have 441 00:16:29,190 --> 00:16:32,100 those those When it's time for them to 442 00:16:32,100 --> 00:16:34,600 field in 23 and 24 will have enough 443 00:16:34,610 --> 00:16:36,780 reserve ammunition for the units to go 444 00:16:36,780 --> 00:16:38,920 forward to be fielded and and there's 445 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:41,110 no , there's gonna be no delay in the 446 00:16:41,110 --> 00:16:43,120 fielding playing right now . On the 447 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:44,953 ammunition side . We'll have the 448 00:16:44,953 --> 00:16:47,009 capability to produce the ammo as as 449 00:16:47,009 --> 00:16:50,510 the units are fielded steve Bannon 450 00:16:50,510 --> 00:16:52,730 military dot com . Could you talk a 451 00:16:52,730 --> 00:16:54,674 little bit about what is the first 452 00:16:54,674 --> 00:16:56,897 thing that's gonna be fielded ? The new 453 00:16:56,897 --> 00:17:00,130 weapons in fy 23 ? How's that being 454 00:17:00,130 --> 00:17:02,220 selected ? And can you talk a little 455 00:17:02,220 --> 00:17:04,700 bit about the $20 million contract ? 456 00:17:04,700 --> 00:17:06,810 What does that actually buying ? It 457 00:17:06,810 --> 00:17:08,866 doesn't sound like a lot . I mean we 458 00:17:08,866 --> 00:17:11,088 spent four times out on the A . C . F . 459 00:17:11,088 --> 00:17:13,310 T . In the last couple of years . So so 460 00:17:13,310 --> 00:17:15,310 so the the the the actual unit that 461 00:17:15,310 --> 00:17:17,254 will be fielded first that's and I 462 00:17:17,254 --> 00:17:16,790 don't want to get out in front . That's 463 00:17:16,790 --> 00:17:19,012 an army senior leader decision . And so 464 00:17:19,012 --> 00:17:20,957 you know it's incumbent upon us to 465 00:17:20,957 --> 00:17:22,901 provide options along with us army 466 00:17:22,901 --> 00:17:25,012 forces command on who that first unit 467 00:17:25,012 --> 00:17:27,346 will be . But I appreciate the question . 468 00:17:29,120 --> 00:17:31,830 And then they cut . Hi Ashley . Okay 469 00:17:31,830 --> 00:17:33,941 with James . I just wanted to go back 470 00:17:33,941 --> 00:17:36,960 to the competition crew where all three 471 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:38,940 companies still left at the final 472 00:17:38,950 --> 00:17:41,006 before you made the down selector to 473 00:17:41,006 --> 00:17:43,006 texture on or the other company get 474 00:17:43,006 --> 00:17:45,228 pushed out before and could you sort of 475 00:17:45,228 --> 00:17:47,339 detail what transpired ? Sure . Um So 476 00:17:47,339 --> 00:17:49,560 as we went through the , so the 477 00:17:49,570 --> 00:17:52,880 competition was three vendors we had um 478 00:17:52,890 --> 00:17:56,290 six hour we had uh what was originally 479 00:17:56,290 --> 00:17:58,401 G . D . O . T . S . Um that innovated 480 00:17:58,401 --> 00:18:00,346 their contract to lone star future 481 00:18:00,346 --> 00:18:02,457 weapons and then the Textron and then 482 00:18:02,457 --> 00:18:04,123 through the testing , what we 483 00:18:04,123 --> 00:18:06,179 determined was uh and those were all 484 00:18:06,179 --> 00:18:08,346 under other transaction agreements O . 485 00:18:08,346 --> 00:18:10,401 T A S during the prototyping phase . 486 00:18:10,401 --> 00:18:12,512 And what was determined was um , that 487 00:18:12,512 --> 00:18:14,540 Textron had not met the success 488 00:18:14,540 --> 00:18:17,200 criteria there . Oh ta and were 489 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:19,700 excluded from the final competition 490 00:18:19,700 --> 00:18:22,330 because of that . Are you able to sort 491 00:18:22,330 --> 00:18:24,386 of what that issue was ? And sort of 492 00:18:24,386 --> 00:18:26,330 when was that point that they were 493 00:18:26,330 --> 00:18:28,274 excluded ? It was prior to the RFP 494 00:18:28,274 --> 00:18:30,274 submission um , which went into the 495 00:18:30,274 --> 00:18:32,497 source selection but I'm not at liberty 496 00:18:32,497 --> 00:18:34,860 to talk the details on on that criteria . 497 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,440 Hi , John is made with the New York 498 00:18:38,440 --> 00:18:40,496 Times wondering if you could tell me 499 00:18:40,496 --> 00:18:42,718 does this new 6.8 round penetrate level 500 00:18:42,718 --> 00:18:44,910 four plates and also what is 501 00:18:44,910 --> 00:18:46,910 introducing a new caliber like this 502 00:18:46,910 --> 00:18:50,080 mean for NATO standardization . So I 503 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:52,030 can't get into specifics of what 504 00:18:52,040 --> 00:18:53,929 capability provides , but it does 505 00:18:53,929 --> 00:18:55,720 provide greater energy against 506 00:18:55,720 --> 00:18:57,887 protected and non protected targets at 507 00:18:57,887 --> 00:19:01,160 various ranges and so um I can't really 508 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,271 go into the rest of that on that . So 509 00:19:03,271 --> 00:19:05,438 it does , it's a , it's a much greater 510 00:19:05,438 --> 00:19:07,382 capability . Um , in terms of NATO 511 00:19:07,382 --> 00:19:09,271 caliber . You know , our partners 512 00:19:09,271 --> 00:19:11,271 specifically , some of our five Eye 513 00:19:11,271 --> 00:19:13,382 partners are aware of the program and 514 00:19:13,382 --> 00:19:15,438 this is not intended to , you know , 515 00:19:15,438 --> 00:19:17,600 it's true to replace 762 or 556 as a 516 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:19,656 NATO ammunition capability . We will 517 00:19:19,656 --> 00:19:22,010 continue to retain M four s and M to 518 00:19:22,010 --> 00:19:25,490 four nine's and M 2 40 bravo's outside 519 00:19:25,490 --> 00:19:27,490 of the close combat force . I don't 520 00:19:27,490 --> 00:19:29,712 know if anybody wants to add on to that 521 00:19:29,712 --> 00:19:31,823 from the ammunition piece . Uh , just 522 00:19:31,823 --> 00:19:34,046 so this forum knows we will continue to 523 00:19:34,046 --> 00:19:36,890 produce 5.56 and 7.62 at the current 524 00:19:36,890 --> 00:19:38,860 rates were at now that we're not 525 00:19:38,860 --> 00:19:41,330 slowing down that production . So we we 526 00:19:41,330 --> 00:19:43,780 have no no drawback in that capability . 527 00:19:43,780 --> 00:19:46,790 We're building a new 6.66 point eight 528 00:19:46,790 --> 00:19:49,380 millimeter uh , facility that will 529 00:19:49,380 --> 00:19:51,436 house , has plenty of space to house 530 00:19:51,436 --> 00:19:53,547 that and some other programs where we 531 00:19:53,547 --> 00:19:55,658 have the facility . So at Lake City , 532 00:19:55,658 --> 00:19:57,824 there's no reduction in production for 533 00:19:57,824 --> 00:20:00,047 any of those rounds with the production 534 00:20:00,047 --> 00:20:02,102 level you hope to achieve at the new 535 00:20:02,102 --> 00:20:04,380 facility like how many rounds per year . 536 00:20:04,380 --> 00:20:07,100 So we , we just found out that six hour 537 00:20:07,100 --> 00:20:09,720 got it and you see the hybrid case . So 538 00:20:09,720 --> 00:20:13,010 we're gonna work with how , how we 539 00:20:13,020 --> 00:20:15,260 develop and set that system up the way 540 00:20:15,260 --> 00:20:17,482 the contracts laid out six hour will be 541 00:20:17,482 --> 00:20:19,480 the they will provide ammunition 542 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:21,620 initially for like 3-5 years . We'll 543 00:20:21,620 --> 00:20:23,787 start producing the ammunition at Lake 544 00:20:23,787 --> 00:20:25,898 City at that point . And then at some 545 00:20:25,898 --> 00:20:28,009 at 7 to 8 years down the line , we'll 546 00:20:28,009 --> 00:20:30,231 take the lead in six hour , will remain 547 00:20:30,231 --> 00:20:32,400 our second source , not to get too 548 00:20:32,410 --> 00:20:34,521 detailed on that , but we always like 549 00:20:34,521 --> 00:20:36,299 to have a second source in case 550 00:20:36,299 --> 00:20:38,410 something happens at a plant . So six 551 00:20:38,410 --> 00:20:40,521 hour will stay involved in this as we 552 00:20:40,521 --> 00:20:42,743 move forward with the hybrid ammunition 553 00:20:42,743 --> 00:20:44,743 will uh , the production numbers uh 554 00:20:44,743 --> 00:20:46,910 we're still working that with with six 555 00:20:46,910 --> 00:20:49,132 hour as we uh we just found out who won 556 00:20:49,132 --> 00:20:51,299 and we'll we'll be able to answer that 557 00:20:51,299 --> 00:20:54,880 at a later date . Matt Seiler abc News 558 00:20:54,890 --> 00:20:56,930 Colonel . And with the competition 559 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,462 where these two weapons systems treated 560 00:20:59,462 --> 00:21:02,820 as a package or were they competing 561 00:21:02,820 --> 00:21:05,042 independently ? In other words good six 562 00:21:05,042 --> 00:21:07,098 hours , one contract for one and not 563 00:21:07,098 --> 00:21:09,098 the other . Well um , that's a good 564 00:21:09,098 --> 00:21:11,320 question . We we left it open such that 565 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:13,487 we could make that decision during the 566 00:21:13,487 --> 00:21:15,542 competition . The limiting factor is 567 00:21:15,542 --> 00:21:17,740 the unique ammunition that is specific 568 00:21:17,740 --> 00:21:20,150 to the solution for the er and the 569 00:21:20,150 --> 00:21:22,206 rifle for the vendor because each of 570 00:21:22,206 --> 00:21:24,750 the ammunition uh , cartridges are 571 00:21:24,750 --> 00:21:27,400 vastly different . Right ? So As we 572 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:29,567 were going through there was obviously 573 00:21:29,567 --> 00:21:31,678 a thought given to what that facility 574 00:21:31,678 --> 00:21:33,440 Ization for two uh , different 575 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:35,590 cartridges would be . Um , and then 576 00:21:35,590 --> 00:21:39,090 ultimately as we evaluated it came we 577 00:21:39,090 --> 00:21:41,510 ended up selecting it as a , with that 578 00:21:41,510 --> 00:21:44,420 in mind as well that that both the A . 579 00:21:44,420 --> 00:21:46,820 R . And the rifle from six hours were 580 00:21:46,820 --> 00:21:48,431 the best value . Thank you . 581 00:21:50,640 --> 00:21:52,690 Hi Ethan staring felt from inside 582 00:21:52,690 --> 00:21:55,760 defense I wanted to ask uh General 583 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:57,871 borough , why won't production of the 584 00:21:57,871 --> 00:22:01,810 5.56 rounds fall ? It 585 00:22:01,810 --> 00:22:04,010 may be reduced in the out years based 586 00:22:04,010 --> 00:22:06,177 on requirements . And what will happen 587 00:22:06,177 --> 00:22:08,650 in the 5.56 . We have a , we have an 588 00:22:08,650 --> 00:22:10,872 agreement with the contractor that runs 589 00:22:10,872 --> 00:22:13,094 it . It's a government owned contractor 590 00:22:13,094 --> 00:22:15,039 operated facility right now . It's 591 00:22:15,039 --> 00:22:17,039 being run by Olin Winchester as you 592 00:22:17,039 --> 00:22:19,261 know , So as our numbers will go down , 593 00:22:19,261 --> 00:22:21,150 that capacity and capability will 594 00:22:21,150 --> 00:22:23,206 probably go to the commercial side . 595 00:22:23,206 --> 00:22:25,317 But the important point there is , if 596 00:22:25,317 --> 00:22:27,539 we ever had to ramp up for war speed of 597 00:22:27,539 --> 00:22:29,650 war , as mentioned earlier will still 598 00:22:29,650 --> 00:22:31,428 have that capability . Then the 599 00:22:31,428 --> 00:22:33,372 commercial production at that said 600 00:22:33,372 --> 00:22:35,094 plant will always focus on the 601 00:22:35,094 --> 00:22:34,490 government of the government's 602 00:22:34,490 --> 00:22:36,046 requirements first . So the 603 00:22:36,046 --> 00:22:38,212 requirements will go down eventually . 604 00:22:38,212 --> 00:22:40,280 But we still have a big part of our 605 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:43,100 force that what we do using 5.56 and 606 00:22:43,100 --> 00:22:46,840 7.62 is removing the future . Even even 607 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:48,990 as we move past the fielding of the 608 00:22:48,990 --> 00:22:51,130 weapon to all the units for the close 609 00:22:51,130 --> 00:22:55,010 combat fight Follow up right as a 610 00:22:55,010 --> 00:22:57,280 follow up . Will soldiers then continue 611 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:59,900 to use the M4 and exercises with NATO 612 00:22:59,900 --> 00:23:01,940 allies or will they bring their own 613 00:23:02,010 --> 00:23:05,830 logistics ? So I think that depends on 614 00:23:05,830 --> 00:23:08,108 what type of unit you're talking about . 615 00:23:08,108 --> 00:23:10,163 Right . The close combat force , you 616 00:23:10,163 --> 00:23:12,163 know , which is you know , 11 bravo 617 00:23:12,163 --> 00:23:14,163 infantryman , it's 19 Delta calvary 618 00:23:14,163 --> 00:23:16,497 scouts . It's 12 bravo combat engineers , 619 00:23:16,497 --> 00:23:18,552 68 whiskey medics and then um 13 fox 620 00:23:18,552 --> 00:23:20,719 truck ford observers that are actually 621 00:23:20,719 --> 00:23:22,552 a close combat force as they get 622 00:23:22,552 --> 00:23:24,719 fielded 68 . They would have There are 623 00:23:24,719 --> 00:23:26,774 six a weapons with them obviously as 624 00:23:26,774 --> 00:23:28,774 their primary weapon system . Other 625 00:23:28,774 --> 00:23:30,663 folks in those organizations will 626 00:23:30,663 --> 00:23:32,719 continue to bring you know , use the 627 00:23:32,719 --> 00:23:34,941 current M four and the M 24 nods in the 628 00:23:34,941 --> 00:23:37,220 M two forties moving forward . If that 629 00:23:37,220 --> 00:23:39,470 did I answer your question ? Thanks 630 00:23:40,630 --> 00:23:42,852 Michael in with the Washington times or 631 00:23:42,852 --> 00:23:44,908 the other services gonna be adopting 632 00:23:44,908 --> 00:23:47,019 these rifles as well And what's their 633 00:23:47,019 --> 00:23:49,186 take on ? I'm definitely interested in 634 00:23:49,186 --> 00:23:51,241 what the marines think about it . So 635 00:23:51,241 --> 00:23:53,408 right now this is an army program , as 636 00:23:53,408 --> 00:23:55,519 I mentioned earlier sir , we had , we 637 00:23:55,519 --> 00:23:55,190 had marines that were involved in all 638 00:23:55,190 --> 00:23:57,190 the soldier touchpoints , providing 639 00:23:57,190 --> 00:23:59,330 feedback . Um , so I guess I can't 640 00:23:59,330 --> 00:24:01,552 answer the question whether whether the 641 00:24:01,552 --> 00:24:03,663 other services would be interested in 642 00:24:03,663 --> 00:24:03,530 that or not . I don't know if scott , 643 00:24:03,530 --> 00:24:05,863 if you've got anything on it . You know , 644 00:24:05,863 --> 00:24:07,752 they , I mean they have expressed 645 00:24:07,752 --> 00:24:07,640 interest , but I think the army has 646 00:24:07,640 --> 00:24:09,900 taken the lead on this . Uh , and you 647 00:24:09,900 --> 00:24:12,067 know , whether they decide to adopt it 648 00:24:12,067 --> 00:24:13,900 or not is really on the , on the 649 00:24:13,900 --> 00:24:16,233 service . But to General Burris's point , 650 00:24:16,233 --> 00:24:18,344 they were actively involved in all of 651 00:24:18,344 --> 00:24:20,511 our soldiers , touchpoints and testing 652 00:24:20,511 --> 00:24:22,622 during the prototype phase . So we we 653 00:24:22,622 --> 00:24:24,789 we have gotten their feedback and they 654 00:24:24,789 --> 00:24:27,011 have expressed interest . So you're not 655 00:24:27,011 --> 00:24:29,067 choosing the weapons for everybody . 656 00:24:29,067 --> 00:24:31,289 Department Defense . It's just strictly 657 00:24:31,289 --> 00:24:33,233 at this point , an army program is 658 00:24:33,233 --> 00:24:32,820 strictly for the close combat force in 659 00:24:32,820 --> 00:24:35,400 the army , sir . Okay . At this point 660 00:24:35,400 --> 00:24:37,400 we'll take questions from the phone 661 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:39,860 lines . We have Caitlin Kenney from 662 00:24:39,860 --> 00:24:41,720 Defense one . Go ahead with your 663 00:24:41,720 --> 00:24:45,670 question . Um , How 664 00:24:45,670 --> 00:24:48,030 many rifles , auto weapons and the ammo 665 00:24:48,030 --> 00:24:49,919 is in that first order for the 20 666 00:24:49,919 --> 00:24:52,086 million and then how many years do you 667 00:24:52,086 --> 00:24:54,730 expect it will take to complete ? So 668 00:24:54,730 --> 00:24:57,530 the thank you , thank you for the 669 00:24:57,530 --> 00:24:59,697 question is Colonel scott Madore . The 670 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:03,100 the first order that 20.4 million is 671 00:25:03,100 --> 00:25:05,320 really to start the process of 672 00:25:05,330 --> 00:25:07,441 developing the production line at Sig 673 00:25:07,441 --> 00:25:10,460 Sauer . So as we ramp up um so it's 674 00:25:10,460 --> 00:25:12,330 very small quantity I think if I 675 00:25:12,330 --> 00:25:14,274 remember correctly in the range of 676 00:25:14,274 --> 00:25:18,110 about 25 rifles , about 15 A . R . S . 677 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:20,480 A large quantity of ammo because like 678 00:25:20,490 --> 00:25:22,323 general bursts and general Boris 679 00:25:22,323 --> 00:25:24,268 mentioned that's really a limiting 680 00:25:24,268 --> 00:25:27,080 factor in our in the in the the 681 00:25:27,090 --> 00:25:30,710 strategy . Um so like I said , it's a 682 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:32,887 very small quantity of weapons just to 683 00:25:32,887 --> 00:25:35,053 start establishing the production line 684 00:25:35,053 --> 00:25:37,109 and proving that production line out 685 00:25:37,109 --> 00:25:39,470 and it will ramp up over time . As far 686 00:25:39,470 --> 00:25:42,860 as the ammo goes , we we will 687 00:25:43,340 --> 00:25:47,060 surpassed that . We'll work with six 688 00:25:47,060 --> 00:25:49,004 hours now that we know who it is . 689 00:25:49,004 --> 00:25:50,671 We'll make sure they have the 690 00:25:50,671 --> 00:25:52,893 capability of their plants were already 691 00:25:52,893 --> 00:25:55,116 pre built a lot of the projectiles were 692 00:25:55,116 --> 00:25:57,338 gonna send them to them now and they'll 693 00:25:57,338 --> 00:25:59,393 start building ammunition . So we'll 694 00:25:59,393 --> 00:25:59,340 build up our reward reserves and 695 00:25:59,340 --> 00:26:01,340 fielding requirements and we're and 696 00:26:01,340 --> 00:26:03,451 we're focusing on the general purpose 697 00:26:03,451 --> 00:26:05,507 rounds as we go forward in the first 698 00:26:05,507 --> 00:26:07,451 three , the first four rounds were 699 00:26:07,451 --> 00:26:09,673 really getting out in fy 23 will be the 700 00:26:09,673 --> 00:26:11,990 the general purpose , the blank uh the 701 00:26:11,990 --> 00:26:14,210 drill inert and then the high pressure 702 00:26:14,220 --> 00:26:16,387 and that's really the test cartridge . 703 00:26:16,387 --> 00:26:18,609 So we can test some of the pressures in 704 00:26:18,609 --> 00:26:20,609 the weapons system as we go forward 705 00:26:20,609 --> 00:26:22,776 because we'll we'll refine it now that 706 00:26:22,776 --> 00:26:22,660 we know who the winning contractor is . 707 00:26:22,670 --> 00:26:25,400 Whereas there was a lot of uh touch 708 00:26:25,400 --> 00:26:27,456 points you could have on the weapons 709 00:26:27,456 --> 00:26:29,400 until we were down selected uh the 710 00:26:29,400 --> 00:26:31,400 ammunition . Uh now we'll work with 711 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:33,344 that vendor and we'll actually get 712 00:26:33,344 --> 00:26:35,567 ahead of the game until the weapons are 713 00:26:35,567 --> 00:26:37,733 started being produced and we'll start 714 00:26:37,733 --> 00:26:39,733 building the war stock and reserves 715 00:26:39,733 --> 00:26:43,600 upfront . Next from the phone 716 00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:45,910 line , we'll have Rose fair stars and 717 00:26:45,910 --> 00:26:49,190 stripes . Follow up please . Thanks . 718 00:26:49,190 --> 00:26:51,640 Sorry . Um , for the M4s for the non 719 00:26:51,640 --> 00:26:53,473 combat troops . I mean , is that 720 00:26:53,473 --> 00:26:55,529 eventually going to be phased out as 721 00:26:55,529 --> 00:26:57,473 the producer , the production line 722 00:26:57,473 --> 00:26:59,418 ramps up . So right now , the army 723 00:26:59,418 --> 00:27:01,418 senior leaders have only decided to 724 00:27:01,418 --> 00:27:03,362 field this particularly to weapons 725 00:27:03,362 --> 00:27:05,473 systems , to the close combat force . 726 00:27:05,473 --> 00:27:07,473 Again , those military occupational 727 00:27:07,473 --> 00:27:06,960 specialties I mentioned a few minutes 728 00:27:06,960 --> 00:27:09,130 ago , which , you know , historically 729 00:27:09,130 --> 00:27:11,130 over time have sustained 80% of the 730 00:27:11,130 --> 00:27:13,440 casualties in combat . And so that's 731 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,260 the focus of these two weapons systems 732 00:27:16,440 --> 00:27:18,496 for the foreseeable future . Until a 733 00:27:18,496 --> 00:27:20,607 decision is made by the army . Senior 734 00:27:20,607 --> 00:27:22,384 leaders , The other forces will 735 00:27:22,384 --> 00:27:24,440 continue to use the M four and the M 736 00:27:24,440 --> 00:27:27,700 249 . Okay , Rose your question . 737 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:31,440 Yeah . Thank you . Um I was wondering 738 00:27:31,440 --> 00:27:33,551 if you could sort of talk about , you 739 00:27:33,551 --> 00:27:35,551 know what it what excites you about 740 00:27:35,551 --> 00:27:37,662 what the new weapon does that the old 741 00:27:37,662 --> 00:27:39,940 one didn't . And then as the follow up , 742 00:27:40,340 --> 00:27:42,810 what what are you hearing from soldiers 743 00:27:42,820 --> 00:27:44,876 as they were testing these that they 744 00:27:44,876 --> 00:27:46,153 really like about it . 745 00:27:50,330 --> 00:27:53,240 So it's so I'll speak first I guess , 746 00:27:53,240 --> 00:27:56,860 sir . Um So that I mean the capability 747 00:27:56,870 --> 00:27:59,170 increase that these weapons provide 748 00:27:59,170 --> 00:28:01,660 over the M . Four and the and the M . 749 00:28:01,660 --> 00:28:04,550 249 is what's really exciting . It's 750 00:28:04,560 --> 00:28:07,540 it's a significant change the way it 751 00:28:07,540 --> 00:28:10,310 fires the way uh when when when you 752 00:28:10,310 --> 00:28:12,088 apply the fire control which is 753 00:28:12,088 --> 00:28:14,310 previous awarded back in january . When 754 00:28:14,310 --> 00:28:16,532 you apply that to these weapons systems 755 00:28:16,532 --> 00:28:20,080 uh it would it improves or increases 756 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:21,870 the probability of hit for the 757 00:28:21,870 --> 00:28:23,981 individual soldier reduces a mirror . 758 00:28:24,040 --> 00:28:26,660 Um And it's it's it's a game changer . 759 00:28:26,670 --> 00:28:29,750 So that's really what excites me about 760 00:28:29,750 --> 00:28:31,930 these two systems as we saw them go 761 00:28:31,930 --> 00:28:34,320 through testing . Yeah , this this is 762 00:28:34,320 --> 00:28:36,653 larry burst . If I could add on to that . 763 00:28:36,653 --> 00:28:38,598 I mean in addition to the accuracy 764 00:28:38,598 --> 00:28:40,653 provided by the next generation fire 765 00:28:40,653 --> 00:28:42,764 control system which you also have is 766 00:28:42,764 --> 00:28:44,764 much greater energy at the target , 767 00:28:44,764 --> 00:28:46,876 whether it's protected or unprotected 768 00:28:46,876 --> 00:28:49,042 at various ranges . And so it's a it's 769 00:28:49,042 --> 00:28:51,098 a there's much greater energy on the 770 00:28:51,098 --> 00:28:53,580 target And from the ammunition side 771 00:28:53,590 --> 00:28:56,130 it's uh it's exciting for us because as 772 00:28:56,130 --> 00:28:58,130 I said in my opening comments , the 773 00:28:58,130 --> 00:29:00,640 5.56 . We've uh we've had great success 774 00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:04,070 with enhanced performance round . But 775 00:29:04,070 --> 00:29:06,292 we're kind of maxed out that capability 776 00:29:06,292 --> 00:29:08,514 in the 5.56 . So this will give us with 777 00:29:08,514 --> 00:29:10,403 over pressures . We'll be able to 778 00:29:10,403 --> 00:29:12,292 adjust the ammo and and give more 779 00:29:12,292 --> 00:29:14,014 opportunities as we build Ammo 780 00:29:14,014 --> 00:29:16,500 projectiles out in the future . So it 781 00:29:16,510 --> 00:29:19,080 gives us more capability to enhance the 782 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:21,247 weapon in the future where we had kind 783 00:29:21,247 --> 00:29:23,302 of maxed out on a 5.56 . So from the 784 00:29:23,302 --> 00:29:25,247 ammunition perspective , it's very 785 00:29:25,247 --> 00:29:27,720 exciting . This is larry burst . Again , 786 00:29:27,720 --> 00:29:29,998 if I could talk about soldier feedback , 787 00:29:29,998 --> 00:29:32,331 I mean soldier feedback was provided to , 788 00:29:32,331 --> 00:29:34,220 you know , based upon each weapon 789 00:29:34,220 --> 00:29:36,164 prototype that was provided by the 790 00:29:36,164 --> 00:29:38,331 vendors . And so as a soldier received 791 00:29:38,331 --> 00:29:40,331 a weapon from a vendor , they would 792 00:29:40,331 --> 00:29:42,609 provide feedback on that particular um , 793 00:29:42,609 --> 00:29:44,664 weapons system . It was not compared 794 00:29:44,664 --> 00:29:46,831 against other weapons systems . It was 795 00:29:46,831 --> 00:29:48,942 here , here's a rifle from a vendor . 796 00:29:48,942 --> 00:29:50,998 Let's go shoot it provide feedback . 797 00:29:50,998 --> 00:29:53,053 And that's what was provided back to 798 00:29:53,053 --> 00:29:55,276 the P . E . O . And then to the vendors 799 00:29:55,276 --> 00:29:57,498 on the individual weapons systems . And 800 00:29:57,498 --> 00:29:57,210 that's how the soldier feedback was 801 00:29:57,210 --> 00:29:59,610 done . And so it wasn't a comparison . 802 00:29:59,620 --> 00:30:01,787 It wasn't a comparison from one vendor 803 00:30:01,787 --> 00:30:03,731 to another or an M four to another 804 00:30:03,731 --> 00:30:05,676 weapons system . It was , here's a 805 00:30:05,676 --> 00:30:09,520 rifle , go shoot it . Okay . The 806 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:11,687 next question will come from defense , 807 00:30:11,687 --> 00:30:15,330 Daily Matt banner . I thank you . 808 00:30:15,340 --> 00:30:18,360 Um , I was wondering what is the 809 00:30:18,370 --> 00:30:20,780 expected ceiling value for the 10 year 810 00:30:20,780 --> 00:30:23,630 contract with six hour . And then is 811 00:30:23,630 --> 00:30:25,840 the overall acquisition objectives 812 00:30:25,840 --> 00:30:28,860 still around 250,000 weapons and 813 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:31,670 150 million rounds of ammunition . And 814 00:30:31,670 --> 00:30:33,948 then I have a separate quick follow up . 815 00:30:33,948 --> 00:30:34,948 Thank you . 816 00:30:37,940 --> 00:30:40,460 Um , I'm sorry I missed the first part 817 00:30:40,460 --> 00:30:42,460 of your question . Can you say that 818 00:30:42,460 --> 00:30:44,580 again please ? Yes . Just uh what is 819 00:30:44,580 --> 00:30:46,860 the expected ceiling value for this 820 00:30:46,870 --> 00:30:49,203 ten-year deal with six hour ? Thank you . 821 00:30:49,203 --> 00:30:51,426 So the ceiling value on the con on this 822 00:30:51,426 --> 00:30:55,190 contract is 4.7 billion . Um that was 823 00:30:55,190 --> 00:30:59,030 10 . There are 10 discreet 824 00:30:59,040 --> 00:31:00,984 ordering periods , annual ordering 825 00:31:00,984 --> 00:31:03,840 periods . Uh , and the I'll make a 826 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:05,951 correction and I think john burst can 827 00:31:05,951 --> 00:31:08,062 give you the actual AO number but the 828 00:31:08,062 --> 00:31:11,060 number that's in the contract of up to 829 00:31:11,070 --> 00:31:14,870 250,000 is what uh , we anticipate we 830 00:31:14,870 --> 00:31:16,981 can procure within that . That is not 831 00:31:16,981 --> 00:31:19,148 the AO that that allows for additional 832 00:31:19,148 --> 00:31:21,314 customers where there's other services 833 00:31:21,314 --> 00:31:23,426 like the marines if they choose to to 834 00:31:23,426 --> 00:31:25,610 adopt this system but it is not what 835 00:31:25,610 --> 00:31:29,510 the AO is . Yeah , the AO is based 836 00:31:29,510 --> 00:31:31,566 upon the numbers of the close combat 837 00:31:31,566 --> 00:31:33,788 force which is roughly 100 and 20,000 . 838 00:31:33,788 --> 00:31:35,399 Right , So the five military 839 00:31:35,399 --> 00:31:37,454 occupational specialties I mentioned 840 00:31:37,454 --> 00:31:39,399 previously as well as army Special 841 00:31:39,399 --> 00:31:41,232 Operations Forces . So it's It's 842 00:31:41,232 --> 00:31:43,810 roughly 120,000 . And the the the 843 00:31:43,810 --> 00:31:45,754 ammunition window you gave was for 844 00:31:45,754 --> 00:31:47,810 additional customers also . So we we 845 00:31:47,810 --> 00:31:49,699 are going to be able to feel that 846 00:31:49,699 --> 00:31:51,866 ammunition for that package that based 847 00:31:51,866 --> 00:31:54,088 on our current orders that , that we've 848 00:31:54,088 --> 00:31:56,254 got projected and we'll have a capable 849 00:31:56,254 --> 00:31:58,254 of flex out in the out years as was 850 00:31:58,254 --> 00:32:00,421 said earlier . Once we , once we reach 851 00:32:00,421 --> 00:32:02,790 all of the storage requirements , go to 852 00:32:02,790 --> 00:32:04,734 war storage . If you will Training 853 00:32:04,734 --> 00:32:06,734 requirements , we can , we can slow 854 00:32:06,734 --> 00:32:08,846 down that production and perhaps open 855 00:32:08,846 --> 00:32:11,012 it up to commercial vendors like we do 856 00:32:11,012 --> 00:32:13,234 with the other calibers , but that will 857 00:32:13,234 --> 00:32:15,346 be uh way down the road 29 and beyond 858 00:32:15,346 --> 00:32:18,480 until we get to that level . Great 859 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:20,591 thank you . And if I could just ask a 860 00:32:20,591 --> 00:32:22,647 quick follow up , can you detail the 861 00:32:22,647 --> 00:32:24,970 tail end of the 27 month uh , you know , 862 00:32:24,970 --> 00:32:27,140 testing and evaluation process . When 863 00:32:27,140 --> 00:32:29,418 did that officially wrap up ? You know , 864 00:32:29,418 --> 00:32:31,418 when we're kind of the last soldier 865 00:32:31,418 --> 00:32:33,529 touchpoints that informed the kind of 866 00:32:33,529 --> 00:32:35,751 final decision making uh that went into 867 00:32:35,751 --> 00:32:39,290 this uh , this award . Thank you . Yes , 868 00:32:39,290 --> 00:32:42,030 that so that testing wrapped up in the 869 00:32:42,030 --> 00:32:44,590 August of 21 September early September 870 00:32:44,590 --> 00:32:47,010 of 21 uh , time frame and then that's 871 00:32:47,010 --> 00:32:49,490 the point where we went into the source 872 00:32:49,490 --> 00:32:52,030 selection , uh , process received 873 00:32:52,040 --> 00:32:54,210 proposals and then evaluation of those 874 00:32:54,220 --> 00:32:56,820 proposals . So the testing , it was in 875 00:32:56,820 --> 00:32:58,876 the august early september timeframe 876 00:32:58,876 --> 00:33:01,340 last year we have one more question on 877 00:33:01,340 --> 00:33:03,562 the phone line then I'll circle back to 878 00:33:03,562 --> 00:33:06,210 the room . So war zone dan persons , 879 00:33:10,440 --> 00:33:12,440 can you talk a little bit about the 880 00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:15,150 performance of cigs hybrid round versus 881 00:33:15,150 --> 00:33:18,460 some of the other um , designs that 882 00:33:18,460 --> 00:33:20,590 were in the competition , mainly that 883 00:33:20,590 --> 00:33:22,640 you stuck with a brass metal casing 884 00:33:22,640 --> 00:33:25,850 versus polymer . Um , and you know what 885 00:33:25,850 --> 00:33:29,530 you found when you were as far as the 886 00:33:29,540 --> 00:33:31,651 competition goes for the ammunition , 887 00:33:31,651 --> 00:33:34,110 the requirement was uh , to be less 888 00:33:34,110 --> 00:33:37,060 than 7.62 , which it was uh and that 889 00:33:37,060 --> 00:33:39,430 was the big deciding factor was the 890 00:33:39,430 --> 00:33:41,652 weight . So that's why you have a split 891 00:33:41,652 --> 00:33:43,880 design to to keep it under the weight . 892 00:33:43,880 --> 00:33:46,047 And uh we look forward to working with 893 00:33:46,047 --> 00:33:48,280 Sig as we go six hours without before 894 00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:51,190 to build that capability at it out at 895 00:33:51,190 --> 00:33:53,357 our plant at our army ammunition plant 896 00:33:53,357 --> 00:33:55,680 in Lake City as I said earlier . So uh , 897 00:33:55,690 --> 00:33:57,523 it's exciting , exciting time on 898 00:33:57,523 --> 00:34:00,080 ammunition side . Thanks sir . I and if 899 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:02,500 I could add on to that too . So , um , 900 00:34:02,510 --> 00:34:04,732 well you can't really make a comparison 901 00:34:04,732 --> 00:34:07,760 of one cartridge projectile integrated 902 00:34:07,760 --> 00:34:10,610 solution to from one vendor to another 903 00:34:10,610 --> 00:34:12,443 I would say . As we went through 904 00:34:12,443 --> 00:34:14,166 evaluations , it was they were 905 00:34:14,166 --> 00:34:16,960 evaluated as a total system . So rifle 906 00:34:17,140 --> 00:34:19,970 with integrated uh unique cartridge to 907 00:34:19,970 --> 00:34:22,310 those systems and automatic rifle with 908 00:34:22,310 --> 00:34:24,254 the integrated the same integrated 909 00:34:24,254 --> 00:34:25,866 cartridge . So as far as the 910 00:34:25,866 --> 00:34:28,700 performance of of one uh cartridge 911 00:34:28,700 --> 00:34:31,790 projectile uh , solution to another . 912 00:34:31,930 --> 00:34:34,097 It's a hard comparison to make because 913 00:34:34,097 --> 00:34:36,152 it was evaluated as a total system . 914 00:34:36,152 --> 00:34:37,874 And we gave industry that that 915 00:34:37,874 --> 00:34:40,041 flexibility that , You know , in the , 916 00:34:40,041 --> 00:34:42,097 in the beginning we said here is the 917 00:34:42,097 --> 00:34:44,510 6.8 projectile design me a system , you 918 00:34:44,510 --> 00:34:46,677 know , that's carter that's integrated 919 00:34:46,677 --> 00:34:48,899 cartridge that's an automatic rifle and 920 00:34:48,899 --> 00:34:50,954 a rifle . Um you know , give us that 921 00:34:50,954 --> 00:34:53,010 solution and here's your here's your 922 00:34:53,010 --> 00:34:55,288 requirements that you can trade across . 923 00:34:55,288 --> 00:34:59,100 So Okay , we'll go 924 00:34:59,100 --> 00:35:02,200 back to the room Ashley , we have to 925 00:35:02,200 --> 00:35:04,480 follow up . So you ended testing in 926 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:07,090 subjects . She's sort of I guess a two 927 00:35:07,090 --> 00:35:09,146 part question , walk us through what 928 00:35:09,146 --> 00:35:11,146 took so long to make the final down 929 00:35:11,146 --> 00:35:13,312 select . And then also since it's like 930 00:35:13,312 --> 00:35:15,257 18 soldier touchpoints and so much 931 00:35:15,257 --> 00:35:17,423 testing evaluation before sort of what 932 00:35:17,423 --> 00:35:19,570 is the timetable between now and the 933 00:35:19,580 --> 00:35:22,330 end of fy 23 when you reach that first 934 00:35:22,330 --> 00:35:25,630 unit equipped . Thank you . Um So like 935 00:35:25,630 --> 00:35:27,630 I said , we we ended testing in the 936 00:35:27,630 --> 00:35:29,686 august september timeframe . There's 937 00:35:29,686 --> 00:35:31,797 are obviously each of the vendors are 938 00:35:31,797 --> 00:35:33,797 required to submit a proposal right 939 00:35:33,797 --> 00:35:36,190 with all their data , um um that we 940 00:35:36,190 --> 00:35:38,357 provided to them as well as additional 941 00:35:38,357 --> 00:35:40,540 information costs etcetera . Um and 942 00:35:40,540 --> 00:35:42,762 then we had to go into the , you know , 943 00:35:42,762 --> 00:35:45,010 there was a team that went through the 944 00:35:45,020 --> 00:35:47,187 standard source selection procedures , 945 00:35:47,187 --> 00:35:51,160 right ? And um we also 946 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:54,700 leveraged a unique uh not unique . It's 947 00:35:54,700 --> 00:35:57,640 a statutory authority that allows us to 948 00:35:57,640 --> 00:36:00,640 go from a prototyping ot a into a 949 00:36:00,640 --> 00:36:02,830 production vehicle , whether that's a 950 00:36:02,830 --> 00:36:05,150 far based um federal acquisition 951 00:36:05,150 --> 00:36:07,870 regulation based contract or another 952 00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:09,936 transaction authorities . So there's 953 00:36:09,936 --> 00:36:12,480 some additional time in that approval 954 00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:14,940 process to make that transition that 955 00:36:14,950 --> 00:36:18,500 that took took the time . So um it's 956 00:36:18,500 --> 00:36:22,260 still in Uh , total uh , 957 00:36:22,270 --> 00:36:24,410 again 27 months plus a few months on 958 00:36:24,410 --> 00:36:26,820 the end to , to get to the actual award . 959 00:36:26,820 --> 00:36:28,487 It's still lightning speed in 960 00:36:28,487 --> 00:36:30,680 comparison to other programs . And 961 00:36:30,690 --> 00:36:32,912 especially when you consider that we're 962 00:36:32,912 --> 00:36:34,920 making such a significant change in 963 00:36:34,920 --> 00:36:38,270 caliber first time in 65 years um , to 964 00:36:38,270 --> 00:36:40,960 get to that in , in 27 months of 965 00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:44,220 testing and with as much soldier touch 966 00:36:44,420 --> 00:36:47,440 touch time and um , and technical 967 00:36:47,440 --> 00:36:49,662 testing is pretty significant until the 968 00:36:49,662 --> 00:36:51,662 down select we weren't allowed , we 969 00:36:51,662 --> 00:36:53,829 didn't work with any of the vendors on 970 00:36:53,829 --> 00:36:55,940 ammunition . So exciting point for us 971 00:36:55,940 --> 00:36:58,107 is now we can work with six hours . We 972 00:36:58,107 --> 00:37:00,329 can refine some of the pressures in the 973 00:37:00,329 --> 00:37:02,551 weapon that will enhance the ammunition 974 00:37:02,551 --> 00:37:04,773 as we move forward . Just like with the 975 00:37:04,773 --> 00:37:06,940 program office now that the selections 976 00:37:06,940 --> 00:37:08,940 were made , we can work closer with 977 00:37:08,940 --> 00:37:08,820 that said contractor the winning 978 00:37:08,820 --> 00:37:11,100 contracts six hours and we can continue 979 00:37:11,100 --> 00:37:12,933 to refine the ammunition and the 980 00:37:12,933 --> 00:37:14,933 weapons as we move forward . That's 981 00:37:14,933 --> 00:37:17,044 what's going to happen that timeframe 982 00:37:17,044 --> 00:37:19,156 as we get up . We're getting near the 983 00:37:19,156 --> 00:37:22,250 first unit equipped . Okay , next will 984 00:37:22,250 --> 00:37:26,090 be steve so just make sure I'm tracking 985 00:37:26,090 --> 00:37:28,090 this correctly . So the end of next 986 00:37:28,090 --> 00:37:30,090 year . Uh , the army needs to start 987 00:37:30,090 --> 00:37:32,190 fielding and creating the ammunition 988 00:37:32,190 --> 00:37:34,480 before the weapons gets the units at 989 00:37:34,480 --> 00:37:36,480 that point . The weapons will start 990 00:37:36,480 --> 00:37:38,369 getting too infantry and the calf 991 00:37:38,369 --> 00:37:40,480 scouts and stuff like that . So we'll 992 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:42,647 be spending the next decade or so sort 993 00:37:42,647 --> 00:37:44,813 of issuing that out to active duty and 994 00:37:44,813 --> 00:37:46,869 National Guard units . Um , and then 995 00:37:46,869 --> 00:37:48,924 there's no real plan to send them to 996 00:37:48,924 --> 00:37:51,420 like 42 alphas or non kinda . I'll 997 00:37:51,420 --> 00:37:53,476 start on the ammo piece since that's 998 00:37:53,476 --> 00:37:55,642 what you started with and and and just 999 00:37:55,642 --> 00:37:58,020 to restate it correctly . So six hours 1000 00:37:58,030 --> 00:37:59,974 by the contract , they will be the 1001 00:37:59,974 --> 00:38:02,197 initial producer of the ammunition . So 1002 00:38:02,197 --> 00:38:04,363 they're producing the ammunition now , 1003 00:38:04,363 --> 00:38:06,474 just like all the vendors did for all 1004 00:38:06,474 --> 00:38:08,808 the testing we provided the projectiles . 1005 00:38:08,808 --> 00:38:08,800 So they will have the capability to 1006 00:38:08,800 --> 00:38:10,633 start producing the ammo for the 1007 00:38:10,633 --> 00:38:12,750 training and the war reserves . Now 1008 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:14,830 they'll do that for and we will now 1009 00:38:14,830 --> 00:38:16,774 that we can work with them . We'll 1010 00:38:16,774 --> 00:38:18,941 start building that capability interim 1011 00:38:18,941 --> 00:38:21,163 capability at Lake City . The new plant 1012 00:38:21,163 --> 00:38:23,052 will open in 2026 and we'll start 1013 00:38:23,052 --> 00:38:25,108 taking the lead away from our second 1014 00:38:25,108 --> 00:38:27,330 source around that timeframe . But that 1015 00:38:27,330 --> 00:38:29,552 the ammunition is being built as we sit 1016 00:38:29,552 --> 00:38:32,880 here now we sent additional millions of 1017 00:38:32,880 --> 00:38:34,824 projectiles to whoever the winning 1018 00:38:34,824 --> 00:38:37,340 bender was . So now they can prove 1019 00:38:38,220 --> 00:38:40,370 Increase and produce more general 1020 00:38:40,370 --> 00:38:42,592 purpose ammunition but they're doing it 1021 00:38:42,592 --> 00:38:44,592 right now . And I think the way you 1022 00:38:44,592 --> 00:38:46,703 said it when we were waiting for Lake 1023 00:38:46,703 --> 00:38:46,530 City , we're not waiting there there 1024 00:38:46,530 --> 00:38:49,090 the initial source and we will join 1025 00:38:49,090 --> 00:38:51,770 them about the 25 time frame at the 1026 00:38:51,770 --> 00:38:53,881 facility but we're going to join them 1027 00:38:53,881 --> 00:38:57,600 soon thereafter . First before the 1028 00:38:57,600 --> 00:39:00,280 weapons you do have to have the ammo 1029 00:39:00,290 --> 00:39:02,401 where you have to have enough to feel 1030 00:39:02,401 --> 00:39:04,568 the weapon and you have to have enough 1031 00:39:04,568 --> 00:39:06,568 for the unit to go to war . And I'm 1032 00:39:06,568 --> 00:39:06,130 getting out of my lane a little bit . 1033 00:39:06,130 --> 00:39:08,297 So I'll turn over to General verse and 1034 00:39:08,297 --> 00:39:10,630 he'll give you just mean to touch , you , 1035 00:39:10,630 --> 00:39:10,350 touch on something that I failed to 1036 00:39:10,350 --> 00:39:12,406 mention that the fielding plan , the 1037 00:39:12,406 --> 00:39:14,461 general fielding plan is designed to 1038 00:39:14,461 --> 00:39:16,628 feel to all different types of brigade 1039 00:39:16,628 --> 00:39:18,739 combat teams in the army , both combo 1040 00:39:18,739 --> 00:39:20,906 one and comp 02 . It's not this is not 1041 00:39:20,906 --> 00:39:23,128 something that's going to be fielded to 1042 00:39:23,128 --> 00:39:22,490 the active force first and then feel it 1043 00:39:22,490 --> 00:39:24,800 to combo two separately . But it won't 1044 00:39:24,800 --> 00:39:27,090 go , it won't go to the 42 alphas and 1045 00:39:27,090 --> 00:39:29,201 folks like that . They'll continue to 1046 00:39:29,201 --> 00:39:31,312 like For example , the company supply 1047 00:39:31,312 --> 00:39:33,423 sergeant will continue to carry an M4 1048 00:39:33,423 --> 00:39:35,479 or another weapon . Not the next gen 1049 00:39:35,479 --> 00:39:37,646 weapon . Does that , does that make it 1050 00:39:37,646 --> 00:39:40,940 okay . We've talked about many times 1051 00:39:41,540 --> 00:39:43,680 just to party at the same time . Um , 1052 00:39:43,690 --> 00:39:45,579 could talk a little bit about the 1053 00:39:45,579 --> 00:39:47,801 projectile selection . I know initially 1054 00:39:47,801 --> 00:39:49,357 after the sack study it was 1055 00:39:49,357 --> 00:39:51,412 intermediate , it was six millimeter 1056 00:39:51,412 --> 00:39:53,412 but not exactly 68 . Initially that 1057 00:39:53,412 --> 00:39:53,280 came a little later , the first part of 1058 00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:55,391 question . The second part , the fire 1059 00:39:55,391 --> 00:39:57,502 control that was selected . I believe 1060 00:39:57,502 --> 00:39:59,391 in january was any of the testing 1061 00:39:59,391 --> 00:39:59,200 evaluation done with the fire control 1062 00:39:59,210 --> 00:40:00,877 or options thereof with these 1063 00:40:00,877 --> 00:40:02,932 prototypes or is that coming later ? 1064 00:40:02,932 --> 00:40:05,154 And when will the fire control get with 1065 00:40:05,154 --> 00:40:07,321 the weapon ? So that part , I'll start 1066 00:40:07,321 --> 00:40:09,543 with the ammo but you're gonna hear him 1067 00:40:09,543 --> 00:40:11,766 finish it from the PM office . So we we 1068 00:40:11,766 --> 00:40:14,099 did look at several types of ammunition . 1069 00:40:14,099 --> 00:40:17,270 First the sack study Narrowed it down 1070 00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:19,790 uh to uh to the caliber we went with 1071 00:40:19,790 --> 00:40:22,560 6/8 uh and then we provided the 1072 00:40:22,560 --> 00:40:24,727 projectile and it was all about energy 1073 00:40:24,727 --> 00:40:27,010 on target and the longer range is uh 1074 00:40:27,020 --> 00:40:29,187 and with that I'll turn it over to the 1075 00:40:29,187 --> 00:40:31,409 PM office that made the selections that 1076 00:40:31,409 --> 00:40:33,520 we went through . Yeah . So as on the 1077 00:40:33,520 --> 00:40:35,576 fire control side , the fire control 1078 00:40:35,576 --> 00:40:37,576 followed a very similar path as the 1079 00:40:37,576 --> 00:40:39,409 weapons . Um We did a lot of the 1080 00:40:39,409 --> 00:40:41,464 testing on M four and and one of the 1081 00:40:41,464 --> 00:40:43,687 and 249 and one of the one of the great 1082 00:40:43,687 --> 00:40:46,090 things about the fire control is um the 1083 00:40:46,100 --> 00:40:48,322 ballistic calculator that's in the fire 1084 00:40:48,322 --> 00:40:50,489 control can be , you can put it on any 1085 00:40:50,489 --> 00:40:52,656 weapons system right , because the the 1086 00:40:52,656 --> 00:40:55,050 ammunition calculation for a drop and 1087 00:40:55,060 --> 00:40:57,393 and other atmospherics is already there . 1088 00:40:57,393 --> 00:40:59,910 So we can we we did that fire control 1089 00:40:59,920 --> 00:41:02,450 very similar . We didn't follow the two 1090 00:41:02,450 --> 00:41:04,950 part uh selection process . But there 1091 00:41:04,950 --> 00:41:06,894 was soldiers in the loop . Lots of 1092 00:41:06,894 --> 00:41:09,006 soldier feedback . A lot of technical 1093 00:41:09,006 --> 00:41:11,190 testing and we did close up because at 1094 00:41:11,190 --> 00:41:13,246 the same time the weapons were going 1095 00:41:13,246 --> 00:41:15,468 through their prototype testing . So so 1096 00:41:15,468 --> 00:41:18,380 it was a simultaneous uh testing 1097 00:41:18,380 --> 00:41:20,602 process . They did come together during 1098 00:41:20,602 --> 00:41:23,080 a limited user evaluation um and I 1099 00:41:23,080 --> 00:41:25,247 forget the time time frame on it , but 1100 00:41:25,247 --> 00:41:27,302 we did do some evaluation with it on 1101 00:41:27,302 --> 00:41:29,413 there , but they will be produced and 1102 00:41:29,413 --> 00:41:31,940 fielded or more importantly fielded 1103 00:41:32,410 --> 00:41:34,577 together as a as a total system . Fire 1104 00:41:34,577 --> 00:41:37,930 control rifle A R and an appropriate 1105 00:41:37,930 --> 00:41:41,880 ammunition for question 1106 00:41:41,880 --> 00:41:44,560 about terminology . When Things like 1107 00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:47,140 saw as a 556 is considered a light 1108 00:41:47,140 --> 00:41:49,450 machine gun . Mm two for now is a 1109 00:41:49,450 --> 00:41:51,672 medium machine gun . What are you going 1110 00:41:51,672 --> 00:41:53,894 to call this ? And I was wondering also 1111 00:41:53,894 --> 00:41:56,117 about the final designations that these 1112 00:41:56,117 --> 00:41:58,172 weapons will have and what the Close 1113 00:41:58,172 --> 00:42:00,740 Combat force buys for each is . So the 1114 00:42:00,750 --> 00:42:02,917 the automatic rifles , a light machine 1115 00:42:02,917 --> 00:42:04,972 gun designed to replace the M 249 or 1116 00:42:04,972 --> 00:42:07,194 the saw within the close combat force . 1117 00:42:07,194 --> 00:42:09,310 Yeah , light machine gun um , we 1118 00:42:09,310 --> 00:42:11,380 consider the M 2 40 to be a medium 1119 00:42:11,380 --> 00:42:13,540 machine gun type of capability in the 1120 00:42:13,540 --> 00:42:16,310 platoon . So does that clear it up ? I 1121 00:42:16,310 --> 00:42:18,310 mean M 24 ? Sorry if I misspoke two 1122 00:42:18,310 --> 00:42:20,088 forties and media machine I was 1123 00:42:20,088 --> 00:42:22,143 wondering if this is , So the 6.8 is 1124 00:42:22,143 --> 00:42:24,143 considered light . It is considered 1125 00:42:24,143 --> 00:42:26,421 replacement for the M 249 with the 556 . 1126 00:42:27,220 --> 00:42:29,490 And what are the the final designations 1127 00:42:29,490 --> 00:42:31,930 and buyers of each for the CCF ? Are 1128 00:42:31,930 --> 00:42:35,490 you referring to know ? Yeah . So yeah , 1129 00:42:35,490 --> 00:42:38,240 they have an X M nomenclature right now , 1130 00:42:38,240 --> 00:42:40,407 just because we're we haven't gotten a 1131 00:42:40,407 --> 00:42:42,629 type classification yet when we do that 1132 00:42:42,629 --> 00:42:44,629 and that will be after , you know , 1133 00:42:44,629 --> 00:42:46,851 once we're in the fielding they'll make 1134 00:42:46,851 --> 00:42:48,907 that transition . But it but it will 1135 00:42:48,907 --> 00:42:50,740 when we make that transition and 1136 00:42:50,740 --> 00:42:52,851 nomenclature change changes , it will 1137 00:42:52,851 --> 00:42:54,907 go to M . 2 50 M . M . Five and then 1138 00:42:54,907 --> 00:42:57,129 the M . 1 57 for the fire control . And 1139 00:42:57,129 --> 00:42:59,351 what are the size of each again ? Sorry 1140 00:42:59,351 --> 00:43:01,407 for the Close Combat force projected 1141 00:43:01,407 --> 00:43:03,518 the projected buys of each weapon for 1142 00:43:03,518 --> 00:43:05,629 the close combat force . So the close 1143 00:43:05,629 --> 00:43:08,290 Combat Forces a total A . R . And rifle 1144 00:43:08,320 --> 00:43:11,570 of about 100 and 21,000 systems . I 1145 00:43:11,570 --> 00:43:15,320 believe it's in the 100 105 rifles and 1146 00:43:15,600 --> 00:43:18,530 And in the about 15 or so that's 107 in 1147 00:43:18,530 --> 00:43:20,641 the rifle and approximately 13 in the 1148 00:43:20,641 --> 00:43:24,260 automatic rifle right now . Okay , 1149 00:43:24,260 --> 00:43:28,030 thank you . Hi um I was 1150 00:43:28,030 --> 00:43:31,100 hoping to ask common fire patrol , have 1151 00:43:31,100 --> 00:43:33,000 there been any army studies or 1152 00:43:33,000 --> 00:43:35,330 projections on whether that will be two 1153 00:43:35,340 --> 00:43:37,430 uh different ammunition consumption 1154 00:43:37,910 --> 00:43:40,780 than with earlier weapons ? I'm not 1155 00:43:40,780 --> 00:43:42,724 sure I understand the question . I 1156 00:43:42,724 --> 00:43:44,724 don't I don't think there's been an 1157 00:43:44,724 --> 00:43:46,780 exact study done on that sir , but I 1158 00:43:46,780 --> 00:43:46,620 think we can make the assumption that 1159 00:43:46,710 --> 00:43:48,932 soldiers that have greater capability . 1160 00:43:48,932 --> 00:43:51,043 I mean we can make the best weapon in 1161 00:43:51,043 --> 00:43:53,154 the best fire control system . But if 1162 00:43:53,154 --> 00:43:52,750 we don't train ourselves and our 1163 00:43:52,750 --> 00:43:54,972 soldiers how to how to shoot , you know 1164 00:43:54,972 --> 00:43:57,083 the soldier is the variable here that 1165 00:43:57,083 --> 00:43:59,194 that really , you know , we all shoot 1166 00:43:59,194 --> 00:43:59,150 differently and it's and it's a 1167 00:43:59,150 --> 00:44:01,261 training issue , but the fire control 1168 00:44:01,261 --> 00:44:03,730 takes takes some of that out so that 1169 00:44:03,740 --> 00:44:06,850 the , you know , an average shooter may 1170 00:44:06,850 --> 00:44:09,072 require less rounds on target to defeat 1171 00:44:09,072 --> 00:44:11,800 it to defeat a threat . What is that 1172 00:44:12,790 --> 00:44:14,901 influence ? Like how much ammo you're 1173 00:44:14,901 --> 00:44:17,170 trying to make or is that it has not ? 1174 00:44:17,180 --> 00:44:20,110 We will , we will have the initial buys . 1175 00:44:20,120 --> 00:44:22,342 And I think to your point as that's the 1176 00:44:22,342 --> 00:44:24,564 exciting thing . I talked about my open 1177 00:44:24,564 --> 00:44:26,564 comments as we learned from the new 1178 00:44:26,564 --> 00:44:28,730 system . If it takes a soldier less 1179 00:44:28,730 --> 00:44:31,160 rounds to engage a target , then we can 1180 00:44:31,160 --> 00:44:33,104 adjust it but we did not adjust it 1181 00:44:33,104 --> 00:44:35,049 going in to answer your question . 1182 00:44:36,190 --> 00:44:38,650 Thank you . Please uh , Jeff struggle a 1183 00:44:38,650 --> 00:44:40,706 task a purpose again . Please let me 1184 00:44:40,706 --> 00:44:42,817 know if I get anything wrong , please 1185 00:44:42,817 --> 00:44:44,872 throw the red flags . It sounds like 1186 00:44:44,872 --> 00:44:47,750 the $20 million 40 weapons . So should 1187 00:44:47,750 --> 00:44:51,300 I say in the fourth quarter of 23 , the 1188 00:44:51,300 --> 00:44:53,980 first army unit will get a total of 40 1189 00:44:53,980 --> 00:44:57,000 weapons . No go ahead . Please correct 1190 00:44:57,000 --> 00:44:59,290 me . Okay , sure . So the 40 or so 1191 00:44:59,290 --> 00:45:02,280 weapons give or take a couple are , are 1192 00:45:02,280 --> 00:45:05,370 there too so that we can start to ramp 1193 00:45:05,370 --> 00:45:08,080 up or establish and prove out the 1194 00:45:08,080 --> 00:45:11,870 production lines um , at six hours . So 1195 00:45:11,880 --> 00:45:13,991 as you know , as you , as you produce 1196 00:45:13,991 --> 00:45:16,780 more quantities quality goes up so we 1197 00:45:16,780 --> 00:45:18,970 need to test it out early uh , and get 1198 00:45:18,970 --> 00:45:21,026 those to a , to a consistent quality 1199 00:45:21,026 --> 00:45:22,970 level . Right . And , and the same 1200 00:45:22,970 --> 00:45:25,081 thing as the ammo as we were going to 1201 00:45:25,081 --> 00:45:27,192 facilitate eyes six hour with some of 1202 00:45:27,192 --> 00:45:28,970 that funding and we're going to 1203 00:45:28,970 --> 00:45:31,137 facilities an interim facility at Lake 1204 00:45:31,137 --> 00:45:33,303 City while we build the new facility . 1205 00:45:33,303 --> 00:45:35,192 So it's that cost us all in those 1206 00:45:35,192 --> 00:45:37,526 initial dollar amounts you see in there . 1207 00:45:37,526 --> 00:45:39,692 My last question for general issue had 1208 00:45:39,692 --> 00:45:42,860 said the total Bye is for 107,000 1209 00:45:42,860 --> 00:45:46,110 rifles and 13,000 light machine guns by 1210 00:45:46,110 --> 00:45:48,221 when when is the , that that would be 1211 00:45:48,221 --> 00:45:50,499 to field the entire close combat force ? 1212 00:45:51,390 --> 00:45:53,390 Well , I don't know . I mean that's 1213 00:45:53,390 --> 00:45:53,330 that there are a lot of other factors 1214 00:45:53,330 --> 00:45:55,552 that go into that and you know , budget 1215 00:45:55,552 --> 00:45:57,830 and things like that . That , you know , 1216 00:45:57,830 --> 00:45:59,941 Are my decision could arrange like 10 1217 00:45:59,941 --> 00:46:02,870 years . I don't remember off the top of 1218 00:46:02,870 --> 00:46:04,926 my head how far out the feeling plan 1219 00:46:04,926 --> 00:46:06,981 went . So I don't want to give you a 1220 00:46:06,981 --> 00:46:09,280 bad number . The same thing with the 1221 00:46:09,280 --> 00:46:11,391 ammo . We were locked in this current 1222 00:46:11,391 --> 00:46:13,669 palm cycle , which is about five years . 1223 00:46:13,669 --> 00:46:15,836 Those are future decisions . We go out 1224 00:46:15,836 --> 00:46:17,836 and , and , and well , we'll adjust 1225 00:46:17,836 --> 00:46:20,002 according as we get the funding in the 1226 00:46:20,002 --> 00:46:22,058 out years . Are there any additional 1227 00:46:22,058 --> 00:46:24,113 questions in the room ? We have time 1228 00:46:24,113 --> 00:46:27,140 for two more questions . We'll go with 1229 00:46:27,140 --> 00:46:30,250 Todd sometimes um , you mentioned 1230 00:46:30,250 --> 00:46:32,472 training earlier in your comments . I'm 1231 00:46:32,472 --> 00:46:34,639 curious if you could just give a broad 1232 00:46:34,639 --> 00:46:36,861 view of the coordination with stay with 1233 00:46:36,861 --> 00:46:38,917 trade talk and others in preparation 1234 00:46:38,917 --> 00:46:41,083 for the arrival of this of this year . 1235 00:46:41,083 --> 00:46:40,240 We're talking about ranges and 1236 00:46:40,240 --> 00:46:42,296 different maybe TTP issues . Um , we 1237 00:46:42,296 --> 00:46:44,462 can talk about that also . Yeah , so I 1238 00:46:44,462 --> 00:46:46,629 mean in terms of range is , you know , 1239 00:46:46,629 --> 00:46:48,629 um , understanding the , the energy 1240 00:46:48,629 --> 00:46:50,684 with this weapon , you know , that's 1241 00:46:50,684 --> 00:46:52,851 why they've produced the reduced range 1242 00:46:52,851 --> 00:46:54,851 weapons ammunition so that we don't 1243 00:46:54,851 --> 00:46:54,220 have to change our current 1244 00:46:54,220 --> 00:46:56,276 qualification ranges for this weapon 1245 00:46:56,276 --> 00:46:58,580 system . So we will continue to use our 1246 00:46:58,580 --> 00:47:00,200 current ranges on our on our 1247 00:47:00,680 --> 00:47:02,736 installations in terms of training , 1248 00:47:03,310 --> 00:47:06,060 you know , at forbidding the maneuver 1249 00:47:06,060 --> 00:47:08,060 center of Excellence , our doctrine 1250 00:47:08,060 --> 00:47:10,060 folks and training folks are moving 1251 00:47:10,060 --> 00:47:12,227 forward with , you know , the doctrine 1252 00:47:12,227 --> 00:47:11,510 that will be associated with how do we 1253 00:47:11,510 --> 00:47:13,732 train with this weapon ? You know , I I 1254 00:47:13,732 --> 00:47:15,566 anticipate it will follow a very 1255 00:47:15,566 --> 00:47:17,750 similar strategy as we do with and for 1256 00:47:17,750 --> 00:47:19,917 qualification for example , with using 1257 00:47:19,917 --> 00:47:22,083 the.40 or if you're familiar with that 1258 00:47:22,083 --> 00:47:24,330 and and the six tables . Um I 1259 00:47:24,330 --> 00:47:26,386 anticipated strategies like that . I 1260 00:47:26,386 --> 00:47:28,608 mean that's the common weapons training 1261 00:47:28,608 --> 00:47:30,719 strategy across the army . Um , and I 1262 00:47:30,719 --> 00:47:32,886 think it'll probably be something very 1263 00:47:32,886 --> 00:47:35,108 similar to that . Does that answer your 1264 00:47:35,108 --> 00:47:37,274 question just decided ? No , as I am , 1265 00:47:37,274 --> 00:47:36,630 you , I know they were involved with 1266 00:47:36,630 --> 00:47:38,741 some of the caliber discussions years 1267 00:47:38,741 --> 00:47:40,519 ago . Are they involved in some 1268 00:47:40,519 --> 00:47:42,574 implementations to kind of train the 1269 00:47:42,574 --> 00:47:42,490 trainer type things ? So am you was 1270 00:47:42,490 --> 00:47:44,546 involved in the soldier touch points 1271 00:47:44,546 --> 00:47:46,546 throughout the process . You know , 1272 00:47:46,546 --> 00:47:46,390 they had their N C . O . S . 1273 00:47:46,400 --> 00:47:48,289 Noncommissioned officers who were 1274 00:47:48,289 --> 00:47:50,067 involved in testing the weapons 1275 00:47:50,067 --> 00:47:52,233 providing feedback as well as you know 1276 00:47:52,233 --> 00:47:54,289 the other folks that we we mentioned 1277 00:47:54,289 --> 00:47:57,160 previously . Thanks . Can we get a 1278 00:47:57,160 --> 00:47:59,382 breakdown of all like the max effective 1279 00:47:59,382 --> 00:48:01,660 ranges and weights and stuff like that ? 1280 00:48:01,660 --> 00:48:05,230 Yeah so I don't think we can talk I 1281 00:48:05,230 --> 00:48:07,840 can't talk that in this forum . Um What 1282 00:48:07,840 --> 00:48:09,784 I will say is you know it provides 1283 00:48:09,784 --> 00:48:13,010 greater energy at target again close in 1284 00:48:13,010 --> 00:48:15,177 and far out than our current systems . 1285 00:48:15,177 --> 00:48:17,510 Do . What about weight ? I mean when we 1286 00:48:17,510 --> 00:48:19,399 say wait it is prepared today and 1287 00:48:19,399 --> 00:48:21,910 coordination is off So if you want me 1288 00:48:21,910 --> 00:48:25,210 to take that . Yeah so the weights are 1289 00:48:25,220 --> 00:48:27,500 given comparison to the the M4 and the 1290 00:48:28,080 --> 00:48:30,660 And the 249 in general way different . 1291 00:48:30,660 --> 00:48:33,120 So the rifle The next 10 squad weapon 1292 00:48:33,120 --> 00:48:36,330 rifle um is about £2 over the M . four . 1293 00:48:37,600 --> 00:48:39,690 Now that now the automatic rifle is 1294 00:48:39,690 --> 00:48:43,160 actually £4 less than the the 1295 00:48:43,170 --> 00:48:45,970 the current M 249 squad automatic 1296 00:48:45,980 --> 00:48:48,990 weapon it's definitely loaded or empty . 1297 00:48:51,100 --> 00:48:53,550 So the requirement again was it has to 1298 00:48:53,550 --> 00:48:56,690 be lighter than 7.62 . and and all 1299 00:48:56,690 --> 00:48:58,990 three of them were lighter than 7.62 as 1300 00:48:58,990 --> 00:49:01,046 well as it went to the competition . 1301 00:49:01,046 --> 00:49:02,879 And as as uh Colonel Maduro said 1302 00:49:02,879 --> 00:49:05,950 earlier that that ammunition piece was 1303 00:49:05,950 --> 00:49:09,260 part of the entire system . Uh So but 1304 00:49:09,260 --> 00:49:11,371 that was the requirement and they all 1305 00:49:11,371 --> 00:49:13,930 met it . Okay actually I'll give you 1306 00:49:13,930 --> 00:49:16,041 the last question before we wrap up . 1307 00:49:16,670 --> 00:49:19,960 Mm hmm thanks we need to 1308 00:49:20,670 --> 00:49:23,990 first and then also sort of how testing 1309 00:49:23,990 --> 00:49:26,101 and integration with the fire control 1310 00:49:26,101 --> 00:49:28,790 and I've asked if that's moving forward . 1311 00:49:30,970 --> 00:49:33,810 Yes , so the IOT any yes we have a we 1312 00:49:33,810 --> 00:49:36,350 have an IOT any scheduled third quarter , 1313 00:49:36,600 --> 00:49:39,170 its third quarter of fy 23 when that 1314 00:49:39,170 --> 00:49:41,226 concludes will go into the first one 1315 00:49:41,226 --> 00:49:43,226 equipped . Um there's some decision 1316 00:49:43,226 --> 00:49:45,448 points that we've got to make obviously 1317 00:49:45,448 --> 00:49:47,614 before that based on the results , the 1318 00:49:47,614 --> 00:49:50,170 the evas uh and how there are two 1319 00:49:50,170 --> 00:49:52,392 separate programs but that doesn't mean 1320 00:49:52,392 --> 00:49:54,559 that we're not doing work to make sure 1321 00:49:54,559 --> 00:49:56,781 that the two are compatible . Um and so 1322 00:49:56,781 --> 00:49:58,892 my team is doing a lot of integration 1323 00:49:58,892 --> 00:50:01,420 work , working with the CFT um as well 1324 00:50:01,420 --> 00:50:04,160 as the J . P . O team uh to make sure 1325 00:50:04,160 --> 00:50:06,490 that that that the to function together 1326 00:50:06,490 --> 00:50:08,379 that there's that there's there's 1327 00:50:08,379 --> 00:50:10,323 there's good integration there but 1328 00:50:10,323 --> 00:50:12,434 there's a lot more to do . Right ? So 1329 00:50:12,434 --> 00:50:14,657 uh but it's it's definitely integration 1330 00:50:14,657 --> 00:50:16,879 is definitely something that is of high 1331 00:50:16,879 --> 00:50:20,080 priority . Uh and and pe oh soldier 1332 00:50:20,090 --> 00:50:22,090 make sure all the soldier kit works 1333 00:50:22,090 --> 00:50:24,860 works functions properly together this 1334 00:50:24,860 --> 00:50:26,749 time . We have clothes and seeing 1335 00:50:26,749 --> 00:50:28,193 comments from the panel . 1336 00:50:31,160 --> 00:50:33,382 So again thanks for your time today and 1337 00:50:33,382 --> 00:50:35,438 again , thank you very much for what 1338 00:50:35,438 --> 00:50:37,549 you do to to share the army story and 1339 00:50:37,549 --> 00:50:37,420 what we're doing here with your 1340 00:50:37,420 --> 00:50:39,587 audience is it's important so that the 1341 00:50:39,587 --> 00:50:41,698 public understands what we're doing . 1342 00:50:41,698 --> 00:50:43,753 Um , and so I just want to say thank 1343 00:50:43,753 --> 00:50:45,920 you , I'll echo that . Thanks for your 1344 00:50:45,920 --> 00:50:47,976 time today . And your questions have 1345 00:50:47,976 --> 00:50:50,087 been fantastic . And this is a really 1346 00:50:50,087 --> 00:50:52,087 exciting time for the army , as was 1347 00:50:52,087 --> 00:50:53,920 said , uh , coming with this new 1348 00:50:53,920 --> 00:50:56,087 caliber gives us capability to improve 1349 00:50:56,087 --> 00:50:57,920 it and remove the future for the 1350 00:50:57,920 --> 00:51:00,198 ammunition side . That's very exciting . 1351 00:51:00,198 --> 00:51:02,690 Thanks sir . So yeah , I think I'd like 1352 00:51:02,690 --> 00:51:04,857 to thank everybody for the questions . 1353 00:51:04,857 --> 00:51:07,134 They're fantastic questions . I'd also , 1354 00:51:07,134 --> 00:51:09,079 like I like I stated in my initial 1355 00:51:09,079 --> 00:51:11,079 remarks , I'd like to thank all the 1356 00:51:11,079 --> 00:51:13,190 competitors because it was , it was a 1357 00:51:13,190 --> 00:51:15,412 fierce competition . Um , and there was 1358 00:51:15,412 --> 00:51:17,190 a lot of communication and full 1359 00:51:17,190 --> 00:51:18,857 transparency . And , and that 1360 00:51:18,857 --> 00:51:21,210 competition is what makes our process 1361 00:51:21,210 --> 00:51:23,960 good , uh , good and , and gets us to 1362 00:51:23,960 --> 00:51:26,182 the best capability that we can and get 1363 00:51:26,182 --> 00:51:28,349 in the system out to the soldiers . So 1364 00:51:28,349 --> 00:51:30,260 thank you . All right , thank you 1365 00:51:30,260 --> 00:51:32,149 everyone that concludes our media 1366 00:51:32,149 --> 00:51:33,480 roundtable . Have a good day .