Modernization Summit - Summit Report.pdf

SUPPORT EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES

MODERNIZATION AND INNOVATION SUMMIT

SUMMIT REPORT

1 September 2022

Prepared by

KAVITA S. SINGH

kavita.singh.1.ctr@us.af.mil

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Support Equipment and Vehicles (SE&V) Modernization and Innovation Summit (SMIS) supported approximately 300 personnel, 50 companies and over 80 Department of Defense (DOD) organizations for 3 days of significant technical discussion on requirements and capabilities for the United States

Air Force (USAF) to be successful. Consistent messaging between industry and USAF examined supportability of National Defense objectives on the vector of SE&V’s portfolio.

Panel discussions on Agile Combat Employment/Aerial Port of the Future and Electrification facilitated interactive dialogue on future combat requirements, Base and Flightline infrastructure, fielding strategies, and optimizing capability footprint. These discussions were supported by informational briefings on a variety of subjects that impact the SE&V System Program Office (SPO) to encourage industry engagement and USAF organizational input.

The mid-week Industry Day included over $2M worth of equipment and vehicles for demonstrations, 42 booth displays and around the clock presentations from select companies, from major defense corporations, engineering service providers, and commercial and military vendors. The day allowed for open engagement with all participants and non-registered attendees from and around Robins AFB and generated opportunities for networking, innovation and in-depth conversations.

Overall, the SMIS proved to be an extremely valuable event that was well-organized and exceeded expectations for an inaugural conference. The consistent engagement and feedback exposed the demand to modernize SE&V’s portfolio with support from a vast number of stakeholders from both

DOD and industry.

DAILY SUMMARY

DAY 1 – TUESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2022

OPENING REMARKS – Mr. Tahrea Grant, Mr. Hal Molton

• Emphasis placed on partnership between government and industry

• Industry challenged to keep dialogue open and honest and for government to find reasonable, cost-effective solutions for portfolio

COMMON SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (CSE) ENTERPRISE – Lt Col Van Nostrand

• Stage setting for CSE enterprise

• Govt needs to re-assess how requirements are packaged and presented

• Govt needs to ask the right questions to industry; capability over requirement

• SE&V exploring a variety of contract vehicles to buy modernized equipment

• 80% solutions can be an accepted risk to modernize

• Future view: reduce footprint, review/scrutinize current requirements, determine 80-90% solutions, determine true aircraft requirements, increase test and evaluation

• USAF users need to provide consistent feedback to SE&V

• Efficiency vs affordability vs flexibility

• CSE priorities: power systems, HVAC, munitions handling loaders

AFMC COMMON AVIATION SUPPORT EQUIPMENT (CAvSE) ENTERPRISE - Col Jennifer Barnard

• Discussed structure and diversity of CAvSE for future USAF mission and strategic roadmap for healthy fleet

• Need advocacy for increased funding

• Fleet management division for CAvSE to be stood up at Langley AFB in FY24

• Re-assess requirements with priorities: seek enterprise solutions, lighter/leaner/optimized payloads, usability/reliability/maintainability

VEHICLE SUPPORT CHAIN OPERATION SQUADRON (VSCOS) – Mr. Tim Ables

• Vehicle electrification driven by Executive Order (EO) 14057 specifying light- vs heavy-duty energy needs

• Phased approach: lease vehicles, driven by industry switch to electric o 2027: all electric vehicle (EV) lease o 2035: all EV buy

• Challenges: initial costs, infrastructure, supply chain, raw materials

• Benefits of electrification: increases sustainment, lowers greenhouse gases, equips Airmen of the future

AGILE COMBAT EMPLOYMENT (ACE) – Lt Col Adam Chitwood

• ACC Agile Battle Lab evaluates operational maneuverable schemes

• New equipment requirements driven from ACE exercises

• Logistics and CSE are high priority for Secretary of USAF

• Need collaboration, field requirements, examination of deployment and transportation options

• Govt and industry need to consider entire chain of custody (i.e. loading/unloading, moving around flightline or to different locations)

• Reduce deployment footprint and optimize capability

AERIAL PORT OF THE FUTURE (APoF) – Mr. Michael Courtney

• Pushed for smarter and more agile USAF for end-to-end location support

• Discussed initiatives for timing and digital applications for real time connectivity

• Interconnected system to share information recently tested at McGuire AFB

• 2035 AvSE concept of operations to focus on joint AF enterprise and ACE strategies

• Open architecture for DOD agile software acquisition path

• Fielding innovative systems for APoF must streamline transition process for nuclear surety, cybersecurity and flightline integration

• Govt needs to engage transition forces early and trust industry subject matter experts

(SMEs) while maintaining process integrity

SE&V MODERNIZATION – Mr. Billy Terry

• Overview of SE&V structure and mission, outlining branches (Aircraft Generation, Mobility and Vehicles, Modernization) and new SE&V Technology and Modernization Program (STMP)

• STMP used to track USAF efforts to innovate, improve and sustain

• STMP program includes Council of Colonels 1-N list of decisions to drive requirement and funding priorities

• Contract avenues: traditional and rapid acquisitions, strategic replenishment contract (3PEP), GSA, DLA, AFWERX Challenge

• SE&V outlook: optimize for ACE, hybrid/electric capability, advanced coatings and materials, improve ergonomics, rapid transportability, apply commercial technology

• Challenges/concerns: cybersecurity/wireless technology, nuclear certification, universal battery technology, Base/Flightline infrastructure, contract vehicles

AUTOMATIC TEST SYSTEMS (ATS) – Ms. Trishawn Smith, Mr. Chad Lowe, Mr. Anthony Lucius

• Overview of AFLCMC/WNA (ATS) mission and structure

• Technology goals centered around wireless flightline, network connectivity, encrypted cloud-based servers, rapid tester reconfiguration, digital twin system, virtual instruments, scalable testing

• SE&V can seek support form ATS for digital enterprise initiatives

• ATS Technology and Modernization Program (ATMP) introduced

MAJCOM FUTURE PANEL DISCUSSION – Lt Col Van Nostrand (moderator)

• Panel members: Lt Col Chitwood, Mr. Michael Courtney, Mr. Billy Terry, SMSgt Andrew

Wojciuch, SMSgt Jason Wilson

• Re-emphasized earlier themes:

o Capability set to provide an 80% solution, but a framework that is iterative to greater capability (future ready) o ACE innovation must have an attractive total life cycle cost

• Key questions/observations from audience:

o Does SEV have a capability milestone chart or long-range plan? No, but in development.

o Does SEV have an acquisition milestone chart? No, but in development.

o Who should provide requirements for SE systems? Panel suggests all use cases should be synthesized from the stakeholder organizations into a complete requirements document o AFLCMC/A4MY offered to be the repository for requirements/needs and to take action to integrate requirements documents o 70,000 pieces of KC-46 SE in the USAF, approx. 40,000 are peculiar SE. What are lessons learned to reduce the peculiar and consolidate towards multi-purpose modular frameworks?

o ACE is everyone’s job right now, so can’t lean on any specific champion office o Engage as soon as possible with SEV SPO, AFMC A4 HQs, using commands HQs and the transitional organizations (Nuclear Safety and Cybersecurity) o Support Equipment Recommendation Data (SERD) process has provided benefits o Encourage face to face interaction with users and collaboration between functional and major commands and managing authority program offices o Industry recommended contested logistics exercises to define the forward deployment aspects of AGE requirements

▪ One panel member referenced a GSE initiative for GPS to be installed on all equipment for better fleet tracking, usage, life data

▪ Should investigate this opportunity as a useful component for future-ready munitions loader configurations o Can the USAF define what is the 80-90% solution for specific modernization needs? The build-up of risk reduction over the top of each stakeholder’s requirements leads to a larger than needed specification tolerance

▪ Examine each requirement to uncover the real needs. Face to face engagement with the airman users and maintainers, to reduce potential manning

DAY 2 – INDUSTRY DAY – WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2022

BOOTH DISPLAYS

• 42 companies supported with booth displays providing an opportunity for all attendees to have specialized and firsthand conversations with a variety of DOD personnel

• Additional SE&V personnel and other local companies attended Industry Day to provide supplementary participation

• The following companies had booth displays:

ADS Inc AGE Logistics Corp Amazon Web Services American Material Handling AMT Huntsville BAE Systems Caterpillar Defense Celina Collins Aerospace Concurrent Technologies Corp

DolphiTech Eclypse Global Ground Support HDT Expeditionary Systems Howell Instruments Knight Aerospace Lockheed Martin Rotary

MERC

PD Power Systems RISE Robotics SAFE Structure Designs

Solavitek Sunbelt Design & Development Tactical Lighting Systems Teksol Textron Systems

URDI

Wolverine Industries Yulista

PRESENTATIONS

• 17 companies were given the opportunity to provide 15-minute presentations, open to all attendees during Industry Day

• This time allowed time for each company to give a brief overview of their capabilities, inform both industry and DOD personnel and allow time for specified questions.

• The following companies provided presentations:

DolphiTech

Tactical Lighting Systems

RISE Robotics ADS Inc

JBT TLD

MERC AGE Logistics Corp Western Global AMT Huntsville Rheinmetall Celina Knight Aerospace/Collins Aerospace Teksol Solavitek Highland Engineering UTS Systems

OUTDOOR DEMOS

• 13 companies offered outdoor booth displays with a variety of products to demonstrate to attendees.

• The following companies provided an outdoor booth display and/or equipment:

ACT

Avlite Systems

Caterpillar Defense Generator Set, AT 10K Forklift Highland Engineering Kitchen, Refrigeration Container, EAC STD Hybrid Tower Hybridtower, RALs light JBT Deicer, e Push Back Tractor, AgileAir, AgilePower, HPC-D, ACHD, JetPower IV MAVericks Construction & Repair Tesla w/ Mobile Off-grid Electric Vehicle Charging Rheinmetall Air Start Unit MSU-GP 200T Square One Systems Design E-Molt (MHU-194) TLD MBL-15e, GPU, MCPAAU Tronair eTug UTS Systems TM Shelter System; XGT-30W Generator (5-ton ECU

Trailer) Western Global TCT500 Fuel Tank

DAY 3 – THURSDAY, 25 AUGUST 2022

DIGITAL STRATEGIC INNOVATION OFFICE – Mr. Richard Dempsey

• See slides for information

AF CORROSION PREVENTION CONTROL OFFICE – Ms. Monali Patel, Mr. David Peth

• See slides for information

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING – Mr. Larry Preston

• See slides for information

GSA FLEET – Ms. Stephanie Gresalfi

• See slides for information

ELECTRIFCIATION PANEL DISCUSSION – Mr. Tom Layne (moderator)

• Panel members: Dr. Laurence Toomey, Mr. Nick Rotteveel, Mr. Tahrea Grant, Mr. Victor

Rozeboom, Mr. Peter Owitz, Mr. Brad Galloway, Mr. Nick Heemskerk, Mr. Steve Nestel

GOVERNMENT BATTERRIES (Dr. Laurence Toomey)

• DOD battery strategy has to stay close to industry

• Hybrid fossil fuel/electric tanks are more realistic vs all electric

• Army tactical vehicles/tanks electric conversion kits in development

• Next generation tanks will include hybrids

• Next generation batteries: higher density, will include safety and abuse testing

• Environmental testing occurred for Stryker vehicles – battery held-up

• High voltage battery: modular approach, modular high volume, parallel

• Jump Start for Advanced Battery Standardization (JABS): $10M budget, automation market, militarize module, multiple vendors selected, leverage partnership with General Motors

• Tactical Battlefield Recharger (TBR): charging ecosystem, ISO container, $9M put into mobile platform

• Discussion: offer Type 1 and Type 2 6T batteries, qualify vendors with a specification, US Army to own standard, need to define battery module, increase competition with batteries, nuclear hardening capability, industry to conduct demos

• Timelines: 2022 – module prototype, 2023 – module high voltage, 2023 – Jump Start program

BASE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE (Mr. Nick Rotteveel)/ FLIGHTLINE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

(Mr. Tom Layne)

• Policy and process in development

• Charging station project: charging stations are not free (commercial stations), pilot programs at JB Andrews, JB McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst

• Charing mission: cold weather performance issues, heavy towing capacity, 20-year challenge

• Common charging standard: J-1772, need infrastructure

• Results from pilot Bases for charging infrastructure due in Jan 2023

• Path forward: no degradation of mission, minimize safety hazards, resiliency for power outages

• Challenges: domestic battery sources for high voltage modular packages, deploying agile objectives

JBT - ELECTRIFICATION PERSPECTIVE (Mr. Nick Heemskerk)

• Participants in electrification: 1) early implementers, 2) technology innovators

• Govt needs to retrofit new-old ground support equipment (GSE): remove diesel and replace with batteries

TEXTRON - ELECTRIFICATION PERSPECTIVE (Mr. Brad Galloway)

• Recent GM partnership on modular battery technologies

• 2035: 75% of specialized GSE will offer electric option

• Govt needs to define full mission profile for modernized GSE: power, duration, modularity, full charge utilization across all portfolio

TLD - ELECTRIFICATION PERSPECTIVE (Mr. Chad Gibson)

• Electric assets show total cost of ownership is lower due to fuel and maintenance savings

• Electric GSE orders are 50%

• Govt needs to confer for common ground on hardware constraints, not paper specifications o Provide guidance on specific use profiles over full chain of custody o Challenge the paradigm, not wait on commercial battery advancements o Break systems fast and overcome

FEEDBACK

GENERAL THEMES

• Presentations need to be more targeted to audience

• Provide additional information on requirements, acquisition strategy and contract vehicles

• Great opportunity for engagement and networking

• Panel discussions were informative and better than briefings, but need improvement on structure

• Needs and requirements of USAF need to be further defined

• Integrate more of SE&V’s portfolio

• Joint service participation was beneficial to all

• Industry Day provided a great deal of interaction

• The weather and long day may have led to a decline in attendance in the afternoon during

Industry Day

• Too much briefing during the panel discussion portions

• Panel discussions need to be facilitated and directed more

• Evening social provided a great opportunity for networking and carrying on discussions from the Summit

• SMIS should be held annually and later in the calendar year (avoiding Georgia heat and end of fiscal year)

• USAF needs to keep engaging with industry and leverage technology

• Determine key takeaways and action items from SMIS

• Include more Vehicles and Mobility coverage and personnel

• Include aircraft SPOs, maintainers, and USAF senior leaders

SURVEY RESPONSES

Sector Government Industry

% Responded (82 total)

48% 52%

TOPIC RATING RESPONSES

Briefing Information Extremely

Helpful Very

Helpful Somewhat

Helpful

37% 48% 16%

Briefers Quality Very High

Quality High

Quality Neither

High/Low Low Quality

35% 52% 10% 1%

Industry Day Extremely Valuable

Very Valuable

Somewhat Valuable

54% 39% 7%

Panel Discussion Extremely Valuable

Very Valuable

Somewhat Valuable

Not So Valuable

Not At All Valuable

30% 40% 24% 4% 1%

Evening Social Extremely Valuable

Very Valuable

Somewhat Valuable

Not So Valuable

Not At All Valuable

Did Not Attend

27% 26% 21% 2% 1% 22%

Overall Summit Expectations

Exceeded Met Below

63% 34% 2%

ATTENDEES

COMPANIES ATTENDED

ACT Howell Instruments Tactical Lighting Systems

ADS Inc Hybrid Tower Teksol AGE Logistics Corp ITW GSE Textron Systems Amazon Web Services JBT TKM Unlimited American Material Handling Knight Aerospace TLD AMT Huntsville Lockheed Martin Rotary TRANSHIELD Avlite Systems MAVericks Construction & Repair Tronair BAE Systems MERC URDI Caterpillar Defense Northrop Grumman UTS Systems Celina PD Power Systems Western Global

Collins Aerospace Rheinmetall Wolverine Industries Concurrent Technologies Corp RISE Robotics Yulista DolphiTech SAFE Structure Designs +More during Industry Day

Eclypse Small Business Consulting Corp

EPRI Solavitek Global Ground Support Square One Systems Design HDT Expeditionary Systems SSAI

Highland Engineering Sunbelt Design & Development

DOD REPRESENTATION

HAF A4 AFLCMC/EZP 412 MXG AFSC

HAF A5 AFLCMC/LPS ACC AFSEC

HQ ACC AFLCMC/RO AETC AFSOC

HQ AFMC AFLCMC/WBN AFCEC AMC

HQ AFRC AFLCMC/WLC AFCPCO ANG

HQ AFSOC AFLCMC/WLM AFGSC GSA

HQ AMC AFLCMC/WLS AFMETCAL MMHE FP

HQ ANG AFLCMC/WN AFNWC PACAF

HQ PACAF AFLCMC/WNA AFPET USAFE

HAF SAF AFLCMC/WNZ AFRC

US ARMY AFLCMC/WWN AFRL

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The 2nd Annual SMIS is projected to be held between November 2023 to February 2024 in the Robins

AFB, GA area.

The RFI for the SMIS was posted under the following Notice IDs for 30 days (3 June 2022):

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3331

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3339

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3336

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3353

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3363

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3362

• SEV_Modernization_and_Innovation_Summit-3369

Be on the lookout for a posting on SAM.gov for the next event under, at a minimum, the same NAICS codes.

Your feedback is essential for improvement, and we will take it into account when planning next year’s event. Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional feedback.

78TH Air Base Wing Public Affairs Article: Robins first SE&V Modernization and Innovation Summit shapes defense future

To stay in touch after the event, please direct enquiries to AFLCMC.WNZ.STMPWorkflow@us.af.mil.

https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/3142442/robins-first-sev-modernization-and-innovation-summit-shapes-defense-future/ https://www.aflcmc.af.mil/NEWS/Article-Display/Article/3142442/robins-first-sev-modernization-and-innovation-summit-shapes-defense-future/ mailto:AFLCMC.WNZ.STMPWorkflow@us.af.mil