Issue Isn’t Going Away

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:10:54 +0000

Well, it has been quite a while since I posted last. Much has happened — though much like “three steps forward, two back”. Despite the pain, I believe that the steps forward are solid ones. We have continual advance in connections with technology leaders required in the larger picture for success.

In the last few months we had meetings with a couple remaining defense avenues thought to readily fit the Jake program and its technology advances. With DARPA, despite encouragement going in, we unfortunately were positioned with a PM (Program Manager) that was ultimately interested in our team’s abilities in development of high-end mathematical modeling and simulation of tactical and logistics metrics for effects of modularity on efficiencies of performance. These are big parts of the Jake Modular Platform program — but the weak side of this for us was that the interest expressed at DARPA that day was of theories of protection provided by the 70 ton tank, and future of such (now called Ground Combat Vehicle, or GCV), and unique ideas with our modularity that might help explore deliver-ability of heavy armor to areas of future operations (the “DARPA Hard” stuff).

Please take a look at February’s blog post just below so I don’t have to go into my thoughts on this blog post relative to the direction taken by this particular DARPA PM.

Following this meeting, I had to regroup my thoughts and see whether there was “lemonade to be made from the lemons”. I started scripting and outlining what would be needed to act here (thinking we might have benefit of achieving metrics helpful to Jake in providing “discovery” in efficiencies of modularity for sea-basing, despite interest now being armor oriented). However, a partial team meeting later, it was clear we had to step back from this angle of potential funding because this funding, and the paths inherent with it, would take our team off mission — Our theory and developments being focus on light, agile and tactical.

Taking another tough hit, I had to then solidify our staying on mission, a decision agreed by those of our long-standing tech and support team. An insight gained was that one element in DARPA stated the sum of the Jake concepts as one of the most tactically intelligent systems seen. Insights also were again that politics can blunt movement if not finding the right “champion” for the program, and movement is easily stopped if not meeting pre-determined lines of thought and not achieving consensus in a risk-averse political theater.

But, behind this, the issue of our nation’s critical need in defense transformation for today’s fight isn’t going away. The trends in technology, and in increasingly dispersed warfare, and thus, increasing needs for rapid reaction force/peacekeeping, continue on their paths (and it is not towards 70 ton tanks). In fact several of our latest design evolutions with the Jake, as I continue thought to meet challenges our young warfighers face, are advances that excite tactical maneuverists (sorry these can’t be on the website)

I thank those of out team standing with me during this time. Key leaders in the Marine Corps spoke recently in appreciation of our holding the line for ability of the Jake program to come forward cleanly as the agile tactical system that they see and want. I also thank our advisers (well versed in unconventional warfare, both defense and commercial) for continuing to work this program with me, and tackling the next steps in breaking bureaucratic limitations.

As much as I weaken at times, our young warriors are still out in the fight for us, and this is no time to be wimps and slackers. It is time for doing everything we can to get them the equipment they need to develop new tactics and keep America’s edge. There is a way!

Let’s Power ‘Em Up!

Russ

Into another year and still hammering away

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:28:58 +0000

I have been off on the many other things this program entails and now setting down some thoughts today. As the design and concept evolution side of things advance, it is still pretty obvious that design isn’t the largest challenge to the Jake Platform program or others that may be in the works like it. The biggest challenge is taking new concepts up against the strong headwinds of existing thought.

I was reminded of this today by the Reuters article, “Army, Pentagon at Odds Over New Vehicle Program”. See: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61G5NT20100217?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a49:g43:r1:c1.000000:b30807910:z0

While I note the momentum at work to pour money into heavier and heavier ground systems, I should take comfort in the fact that the Pentagon is at least questioning wisdom in the varied angles of this area of defense development — though much of the questioning is relative to the mechanics of the bureaucracy of acquisition process as compared to the mechanics of the force developments themselves.

Defense Tech puts this subject on a more open field for discussion with “Army Pitches 70 Ton GCV, Maybe” See: http://defensetech.org/2010/02/22/army-pitches-70-ton-gcv-maybe/#more-5849

This article does pull forward the question of how we are even thinking of 70 tons as an infantry fighting vehicle, since these have to be delivered to the battle somehow (as compared to Israel just driving them down a paved road to the fight). The Reuters article related to this also notes the cost issues of a projected $6 billion for fielding of 300 such new GCV (ground combat vehicles), and Defense Tech calls out these units’ vulnerability when against a sophisticated enemy, or even unsophisticated, noting: “One of the problems, as Thompson sees it, is the proliferation of precision, heavy anti-tank guided missiles of the Kornet and TOW variety.”

A little math, and you see an average $20 million cost per unit (not counting early development costs and acquisition competitions), which I guess is fair, given that today’s A1 Abrams is said to cost $13 million and this is close to 70 tons also. But, all this armor that adds up to all this weight — that we can not deploy rapidly or in dispersed and sustainable manner — is piled on to protect the troops inside, bringing us back to their vulnerability today no matter how much armor they put on.

Does no one notice this groups “rich targets” for an enemy (and more “richer” stuff that has to deliver and sustain them)?

Step back and look at the pride of tactics within our own early Revolutionary War. Did we win by marching down the street in formation like the British? No. Our troops were innovative and split up our forces. Their leaders made them more independent and made them as tough a target to get to as possible? …. So why are we fixated on giving our enemy increasingly large, relatively grouped, targets now?

Leaving the defense theory to the experts, I just pose the question again on why we aren’t investing a significant portion of our development dollars on highly agile, compact dispersed units of force? The Jake platform is an example, though it will likely continue to evolve. Here, even at $500,000 apiece (with sensors, communications, robotics, systems and weapons), this still allows 40 smaller 1.5 ton units (manned or unmanned, or combination) for price of one of the GCVs. And if it is understandable that a GCV could be knocked out by a precision strike and we lose 4-5 warfighters, or up to 13, why wouldn’t we open up our thinking on allowing these warfighters dispersed and independent actions where it would take 12 or more TOW or IED hits to lose the same number of warfighters? And if an enemy did take out 12 units, through very heavy war action, we are still only at $6 million loss with a much lower cost operation in place for reaction, retrieval, sustainment and reconfiguring the fight.

Now, think of the advantage of the 40 smaller units delivering 40 dispersed firing positions with each having GCV-equal force of their own. And, if required, for the price of 10 GCV’s in a conflict maneuver, there could be 400 Jake units configured to deliver a diverse set of capabilities.

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has asked throughout 2008 and 2009; where is the “outside the box” thinking that addresses the new wars we are in? I see this new thinking in meetings with the Jake, and these demos and discussions are with significant people. But, I see much of the commitment to new ideas evaporating once outside the meeting and facing the headwinds of existing thought.

America has the design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. What I see is that we just need more true American Guts.

Remember, our young warfighters are out there on the line for us — and they are video gamer kids that can make those who have gone before them proud. We just need to be getting them more power and agility to move. They will invent the tactics side of things.

Let’s Power ‘Em Up!

Russ

Veterans Day - November 11, 2009

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:32:48 +0000

Thanks and honor goes out to all our veterans and those serving in over 80 countries and two major wars today. Your efforts and sacrifice allows the freedoms we take for granted, has held the line for us in protecting these freedoms, and remains our frontline of defense.

I hope that this day reminds us here at home to do our part in defending our nation — to not lose our discipline or forget the principles of our founding fathers that make this nation great — principles worthy of the sacrifice of our veterans. Let us remember our history of holding tyranny, fascism and communism at bay and off our shores — and let us not lose this freedom and justice through weakness of mind, disrespect for basic Godly principles, or shortsighted selfishness.

If our Marines and Soldiers can battle, often room to room taking high risk of meeting treachery just to be sure they don’t make a mistake, leaders in Washington can read all pages of a bill for possible treachery before signing so they don’t make a mistake and lose the freedoms our service men and women fight for!

Let’s hold to what we know is in the best interest of heartland and mainstreet America, for that flag-lined mainstreet understands the sacrifice and honors our Veterans. We are your families and we love you.

God Bless

Russ

Taking time to remember the task

admin — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 02:33:00 +0000

Sometimes one can get so into varied issues around us that we need to regroup — and we need to take a clear look again at the core of the mission. This came to me this evening as I was reviewing the website here at Operation American Agility. And, maybe I need to simplify the homepage to that of just two paragraphs and two videos.

The core issue is pretty much outlined in the video: “The Issue: There is a gap in ground capabilities, protection and power supporting our foot soldier.” This video is also on Youtube in larger format at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uWhEU5rikY

The clear and simple point is that our foot soldiers are overloaded and we have yet to really apply ourselves as a nation to this problem. Oh, we probably think we are. But you could fool me, as I watch our defense industry focus on the battle to retain budgets for heavy armor, while warfare has changed and homeland security response issues loom unanswered. I think it is time we challenge ourselves a bit more than grinding on incremental change on what we already have in pretty good shape.

Several months back in a meeting in DC area, retired Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, General Richard Cody, spent considerable time outlining the problem that our foot soldiers face as they are heavily overloaded — and what this means to their ability to move fast in situations where their reaction speed is their survival. General Cody also spoke of the heavy wear and tear on the bones and bodies of our young troops. He detailed what this means relative to longer-term back and joint disabilities as these young troops carry this damage into older age. A point made was also the cost impact on VA care of these troops in the long run.

While terming the Jake the soldier’s “Smart Horse”, General Cody spoke clearly to the issue covered in the video. He highlighted needs the Jake addresses other than just increased flexibility and ability to help carry a part of the load in winning today’s wars. His point was that in the Jake opening new tactical capabilities, it will also off-load 50 lbs of our foot soldier’s 110 lbs. In bringing greater protection into the alleys with our soldiers, the Jake will also aid their survivability by allowing them to be lighter and more reactive, with less fatigue on patrol — and longer healthier life later.

But, as I have mentioned before, just watch again the video of Gerry Peters speaking on “Taking hold of the task” and see why we at American Agility and the Jake program are so committed to achieving a breakthrough for our young troops. As Gerry says: “Let’s do it to prove America still can do it”

Let’s Power ‘Em Up!

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Is the larger defense world working to answer the wrong question?

admin — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:54:33 +0000

I was just reading an article “Use FCS Guts: Yacovak” on DoD Buzz. Interesting reading, and maybe more so considering the timing of a program framed up for the Jake within the US Army Rapid Equipping Force in 2005 and then removed with AT&L leadership promising then-Vice Chief of Army that regular Army acquisition could change to do this just as fast…. then subsequently the program was “suspended” with the least discussion possible.

The article on what to do with the large investment already spent on heavy tanks for FCS is interesting. The link is: http://www.dodbuzz.com/2009/09/01/use-fcs-guts-yakovac/comment-page-1/#comment-13790

Okay, I am looking at this article from a different perspective — from that of being immersed for eight years in the thinking of those of our Special Forces and our young soldiers and Marines training for, and returning from, tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. This includes the broader discussion of capabilities opened with the compact packaging of technology and agile maneuver of the Jake — relating to ideas in unconventional warfare and doctrine for asymmetric conflicts — and our warfighter’s needs in matching the ongoing adaptation by our enemy.

Within the comments following this article, I was caused to join the line of thought and ask:

What if, in the world of increasingly “nano” systems and robotics, compacted power, use of dispersed force and networked UAVs, there is little need for “heavy combat vehicles”? What if?? What if it is a combination of one of the other comments to this article — calling for leadership with true warfighter guts — AND a level of today’s technology metered appropriately to be fluid and agile in movement with our young warfighters??

I ask, because it seems the larger defense world is still grinding on expensive and cumbersome solutions — and maybe the equation is changed and we haven’t noticed yet.

The one thing we all should be keeping in mind is that our young warfighters are still out there on the line for us… and they are doing the real job today of winning, and this is on foot and overloaded … so while we discuss, let’s also try a couple new tricks —

Let’s Power ‘Em Up

Russ
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Holding the Line for the Team Dynamics and Spirit to Achieve the “Impossible”

admin — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:30:40 +0000

So much technology that is advanced and needing a carrier to move with our foot soldiers —

So many defense leaders asking for new ideas and new equipment for today’s warfare and peacekeeping —

So many road blocks of past thinking, personal interests, and inability to trust in a concept and a team so qualified to realize a breakthrough — Jake agility and a team with proven dynamics of innovation and highest level of engineering results — dynamics critical to bringing together the best of industry for development of systems-based power and tactical advance for our young troops.

Why is this so hard for America to process?

How big an edge are we giving to our enemies as we limit ourselves in what is truly possible? Must we always have committee consensus before we can act? What happened to stretching beyond what is known and comfortable?

Our warfighters are holding the line for us today in two major wars and numerous conflicts around the world. They are young. They still have hustle. Actually, they are not old enough to have seen or understand what I and others see slowing the advance of what they could have to accomplish their missions more effectively and come home safe.

I have taken a couple big hits in the last couple months, and few will understand till later why I hold a line for what I know is necessary for a real breakthrough possible for our young warriors — keeping this program from being reduced to fit an ill-fitting process that asks us to believe we will do better later. Will we?

I believe our young Soldiers and Marines and our nation are better served by addressing the challenge up front. They, and we, deserve no less.

Let’s Power ‘Em Up!

Russ Strong

Is Anyone Noticing We are at War? Are We Truly Responding?

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:56:14 +0000

The other week I visited the Yankee Air Museum at Willow Run just outside of Detroit. I was disappointed to hear that a piece of history where B25 Liberators were built during WWII will be torn down this fall. What bothered me more was being reminded of today’s lack of urgency amidst war with changing enemy tactics.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is obviously sensing the same thing. He is repeatedly calling for new thinking. So what’s our problem? — as Jake concepts stare down bureaucracy, stopping this transformation in ground maneuver and protection for our footsoldier. It is not that we can’t see the opportunities the Jake opens.

At a demo of an updated Jake a couple months ago, former Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen Richard Cody, again stated what he said in 2005 in terming this 3,000 lb unit “the warrior transformer”. He now defined Jake as the “smart horse” or “Dragoon”, referring to its mix of traits coming from Humvees, Robo-Cops, and tractors — innovations integrating soldier movement tactics and robotics. He clearly articulated the problem of our young warriors being severely overloaded and how this affects their survivability and their long term health.

Can you imagine how absurd this face of lethargy is as this program is yet to achieve a development home with funding? I know. There is a problem. This program requires funding that allows tactical innovation as a systems-based program — not something tried for a couple million as an incremental improvement on existing requirements. Regardless, the amount to flesh out the concept with our young warfighter is “budget dust”.

In 2006 Pascal Zachary wrote a Wall Street article in which he posed the question: “Where is the big idea in national defense?” “Where is the Manhattan Project?” What if it is standing right in front of us? Operation American Agility presents the situation that it is.

A designer who supports the Jake program called today to read several passages from a book on Andrew Higgins, on how the boat builder had to fund and build the landing crafts used on D-Day by himself. I can picture Higgins talking with “renegade” military visionaries who shared what he saw as the need. I have been there. I could picture his other meetings where he hit what the book quotes as unending resistance and extreme bureaucracy. Higgins continued because he believed his gut from what he heard. Actually, it was just common sense… My friend commented on the Jake’s path being almost an exact replication of what was behind both Higgin’s frustration and determination.

I know the dynamics of breakthrough programs from my work with New Holland, Caterpillar and John Deere. I’ve now experienced the dynamics within today’s military acquisition and R&D. Just as Pascal Zachary explained the challenge of getting the brightest minds in America to participate with defense programs, I am only reassured by Andrew Higgins — his determined efforts mading D-Day possible — that there is reason to fight the fight. We must break the counterproductive processes and “friction” blocking our achieving breakthroughs today for our young soldiers and Marines. As in Higgins’ time, change to meet changing warfare demands true and gutsy leadership. And as with “Rosie the Riveter”, I believe it asks a bit from all of us.

Standing in that hanger at Willow Run, I recalled how Japan’s Emperor was warned they might wake a sleeping giant at the opening of WWII. It happened. America was forced out of “normal process”. The response was the almost immediate advance and production of planes, ships and Jeeps, and the Manhattan Project. These are advances that would not have happened otherwise. So, what does it take for us to wake up and truly respond to today’s war? (America, please remember that we are in one) Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, is calling for this wake up — and Jake provides an opportunity already staged — with a team of technology partners standing ready from across the nation.

It is time to break through the protective layers of staffers that “protect” such a leader from disruptive technology. Wouldn’t it be good if we are the ones at the forefront of being disruptive? (view Gerry Peter’s video on the homepage of American Agility) Note: To those who smile while dissing the Jake, recall IBM’s famed statement in 1982 that there wasn’t a market for a home computer. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and others saw the advance of technologies differently. These talented geeks applied themselves to applications, exploited the shrinking packaging size of technologies and proved IBM wrong. Today, it is hard to imagine how these “experts” were not able to anticipate what occurred. So, what is jamming our brains today?! — while the Jake presents the opportunity for the move “from the mainframes to the laptops” for our young Soldiers and Marines.

Let’s Power ‘Em Up!

Russ Strong

Memorial Day 2009

admin — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:17:58 +0000

Today we remember those who have sacrificed, and moreso given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. As we take time today to reset our perspective on the cost of the freedoms we enjoy, we must also be aware of the ongoing costs with our men and women, sons and daughters, dads and moms, in the fight in two major conflicts and 60 other locations around the world.

Sacrifices continue to be made, with this the most aware to the families of those directly affected. Thinking of those we have asked to fill our place in keeping us safe, we should all be remembering them and rededicating ourselves to kicking some butt to assure they have the tools and protection they need to get the job done so they can come home. And, from my work over the year since last Memorial day, now is the time to embrace new ideas, tactics, protection and equipment for our troops, just as our Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, has spoken clearly about. I see first-hand the technologies for the paradigm shifts he envisions that enables new ways of thinking in defense programs.

Change is tough, and its time to leave behind bias of political turf, egos or profits. We just need a small measure of the courage and commitment exhibited daily by our young warfighters and peacekeepers — to do what we know we need to do to help them win the war of this generation. This is the best way to honor those having provided the ultimate sacrifice.

Let’s Remember Them — and remember their buddies still in the fight.

Russ Strong

Is it time for action yet?!

admin — Tue, 12 May 2009 17:28:08 +0000

I hope you have been following the news of our troops’ progress. In doing so, news of the recent Defense Budget announcements probably caught your eye also.

First, it is obvious that this administration is looking for adjustments in defense budgets. Second, the idea of resetting critical equipment and looking toward funding new equipment needed with the change in today’s wars is significant change. For my perspective of being amidst the conversation of experienced warriors and the leaders of our tech labs, it is good timing to have these new needs finally come front and center.

For over 8 years, the Jake program has been working to meet needs expressed by forward-looking leaders in Army Special Forces and Marine Corps relative to increasing shift to unconventional warfare and urban warfare — which includes stability operations and peacekeeping. In fact, in 2006 the Quadrennial Defense Review, that the DoD uses to map the direction of defense needs, clearly stated the need to move to smaller and more agile forces and more rapid response capabilities (though the acquisition focus remained on heavier and heavier equipment). The Jake Platform’s capabilities aligned with the needs listed in this review — almost as if the review were written for it. Yet, until now there has been little action on the obvious problems of our soldier’s load (other than trying to make his gear lighter so that he can carry more of the other stuff that he needs but can’t carry). As explained here at Operation American Agility, and we have found over and over in speaking with soldiers and Marines returning from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is need of an agile carrier of the warrior’s gear and supporting protection — to open a new realm of capabilities.

The main point of my blog today is that when we visit the website’s page on the “History of Change”, we learn that the average time taken to get a revolutionary new piece of equipment into US military service is 14-28 years (the 50 Cal. Machine gun took 17 years to be accepted!! Even earlier, Lincoln was shooting a multi-shot rifle on the White House lawn during the Civil War and couldn’t get his generals to use it to advance from mussel loaders!! ). And, in most cases it has taken a significant fight to accomplish the shift — look at the story of landing craft, aircraft carriers and others — as noted in “History of Change”, change comes hard.

Now, with the Jake concept being prototyped and evolved over the last 8 years (starting before 9/11), and knowing that it will take another 6-8 years to get into the fight as the powerful networked system that it will be in final form — we are trying for rapid change to help our young warriors, but unfortunately may be just on line with the historic average.

The good news is that along this historic timeline, we are at the time of acknowledging the trends staring us in the face. We are now at the point on the average timeline for accepting the concept as a solution to a broad range of problems. The timeline is now calling for moving into the fielding and assessment stages. The new Defense Budget just helps us along, with emphasis on readjusting for change in warfare, and cost reductions. This highlights the need for new lower priced equipment, for more agile force, and with smaller logistical footprint across the range of operations. In the Jake’s filling these requirements, we move into congressional vote-getting — and this should help our young warfighters have a chance to adapt and innovate means for greater effectiveness.

These young Soldiers and Marines think different, and with a ton of new technologies — it is time to let them accomplish the needed paradigm shifts.

Let’s give them a chance — Let’s Power ‘Em Up

Russ Strong

Mothers Day

admin — Mon, 11 May 2009 03:44:16 +0000

As we remember Mothers Day, let us declare our appreciation and send extra prayers for the mothers of, and amongst, all our men and women serving today in harm’s way. These mothers are holding families together and carrying concerns that we are all thankful that they do. May we remember also the mothers of those who are helping sons and daughters recover from wounds, readjust to life back in the States.

May our special prayers be with mothers of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of the freedoms that we cherish. These are mothers who are themselves recovering, as this day highlights an empty seat at the dinner table. Thank you for your sacrifices.

Thank you Moms, and God Bless

Russ