U.S. Army ARDEC, AMSTA-AR-PCW-A,Bldg10, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806-5000

13 -- 13--FLEXIBLE FUZE MANUFACTURING LINE POC Chris Tew, Contract Specialist, email=chrtew@pica.army.mil, (201) 724- 7677, David M. Banashefski, Contracting Officer, (201) 724-4113. In Recent years, the Government has significantly reduced defense spending. As a result, there are declining funds for conventional ammunition. The Government is concerned that the Fuze Production Base is being seriously endangered by the reduced level of contractual activity. The current trend could result in a significant loss of fuze design/production knowledge, as well as manufacturing and testing capabilities. In an effort to preserve or maintain acceptable production capability, a ''Flexible Fuze Facility'' study was conducted. In the study, the Government analyzed fuzes for 20mm to 8 inch projectiles, missiles and rockets. The facility size was based upon the Tri-Service Five Year Development Plan, which projected future fuze requirements. Based upon the results of the study, the Government concluded that the Flexible Fuze Line should have the following capabilities: fabrication of key fuze components related to safety and reliability, assembly and testing. Fabrication of critical components was estimated to be between 15 to 25 percent of any individual fuze. According to the results of the study, all assembly, and most sub-assembly, should be conducted at the facility. Plating or coating capability is desired, however, the ability to handle and apply adhesives, lubricants and potting compounds is required. Circuit boards, electronic components, integrated circuits would be purchased. The Flexible Fuze Line would have the capability to assemble and test electronic printed wiring board assemblies of all levels of complexity. The facility would have the normal in-process acceptance inspection equipment for each fuze fabricated. The Flexible Fuze Line should have some duplication of flexible in-process test equipment, i.e. spin tester that is adaptable for multiple fuzes, electronic test consoles that are programmable. The Flexible Fuze Facility will have the capability to conduct fuze first article and lot acceptance test, i.e. jolt, jumble, drop, TV-T, etc. TECOM type ballistic test capability is not required by the facility. The current plan is for multiple plants that can produce mechanical and electronic fuzes. The less attractive alternative is to separate facilities by product type. In theory, the Government would supplement contractor owned equipment to support the multiple fuze manufacturing, and possibly provide for some minimal facility improvements. The US Army is soliciting information from industry on the proposed Flexible Fuze Line concept. The information will be used by the Army to identify existing facilities that have flexible fuze lines that are capable of manufacturing mechanical and electronic fuzes/S&As. The following areas are of particular interest: What form of flexible fuze line exists in the plant - off the shelf, custom, or developed in-house? How many different types of fuzes can a facility produce? What is the product mix of the contractor facility with relation to Government and commercial work, as well as electronic to mechanical? What kind of flexible equipment is currently being used in existing fuze manufacturing lines? What is the minimum sustainable rate of the flex-line? If the above concept is not feasible to implement, what type of fuze flex-line can be supported? Is there interest in the fuze industry to develop flexible fuze facilities? Any relevant feedback is encouraged. Interested sources should submit their data and capability statements within 30 days of this notice to the Commander, US Army ARDEC, ATTN: AMSTA-AR-PCW-A, Chris Tew, Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000. This only a Market Survey, not a request to be placed on a solicitation mail list. No further information is available. (0169)

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