Venezia by PVII

Foreign Comparative Testing

By Dr. Robin Ranger

Companies in 33 states across the USA are beneficiaries of a program run by a Pentagon organization designed to get capability to the US Warfighter. The program seeks out state of the art technology or systems from around the world. Tests them to ensure it meets U.S. requirements and specifications and then facilitates acquisition. The Department of Defense Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) Program has been in existence since 1980. This program is particularly useful for small and medium sized companies in the US who are seeking to grow their business and develop international relationships.

Commercial growth is not the primary objective however but a prime beneficiary of an enlightened program. The U.S. warfighter, together with allies, secure combat capability sooner and more cost effectively than would otherwise be possible. The program provides for side-by-side testing of foreign non-developmental, or commercial off-the-shelf technologies (COTS) to meet US warfighting needs and enhance interoperability with alliance partners. An excellent recent example of a successful CTO program was the testing of the South African manufactured “Buffalo” mine clearing vehicle and its deployment with US and allied forces in Afghanistan.

The “Buffalo” Mine-Protected Clearance Vehicle developed by Denel-Mechem of South Africa was successfully evaluated by the Army and is now being produced by Denel’s U.S. partner, Force Protection, Inc. in Ladson, South Carolina. The Buffalo is a blast-resistant vehicle designed to protect soldiers from the effects of landmine explosions during route clearance operations and is currently operating with the 612th Engineer Battalion in Iraq as part of the Army’s Ground Standoff Minefield Detection (GSTAMIDS) Task Force. Buffalo uses a hydraulic arm to investigate suspected mine sites, including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). According to Battalion personnel, the Buffalo is extremely survivable, “These vehicles have been hit several times…and no one inside has been killed…soldiers want to ride in this…find the IEDs and protect their fellow soldiers.”

An FCT program proceeds in five stages:

  1. A US Acquisition Program Manager desires to test a foreign item of equipment;
  2. the Manager writes a FCT Project Proposal;
  3. the Service or Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Sponsor review and submit proposals to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD);
  4. OSD reviews the proposals and selects projects in accordance established criteria and available funding,
  5. following notification to Congress, OSD provides funding to the relevant Service or SOCOM to conduct tests and evaluations.

Programs started in FY2009 include:

  • Pyrolysis Solid Waste Disposal with Energy Recovery – UK. Test a transportable waste disposal system to thermally destroy solid, oil & medical waste at forward operating bases & recover heat for energy conversion
    Improved Photonics Mast for US Navy Submarines – Germany, France, UK. Tests alternative masts with modular construction and color HDTV capability, improving reliability & operational issues for current VA & Ohio Class masts
  • M1A1 Crew Cooling System – Israel, Canada, Sweden. Evaluate systems that reduce heat-related illness, battle fatigue, and improve crewmember performance - tank crew endure temperatures > 140°F
  • H-53 Low Cost and Reliable Generator Control Unit (GCU) – Germany. Test a lower cost, higher reliability GCU – goal to increase mean time between failure from 640 to 16K hrs
  • Improved Speed Sensor for Ships and Submarines – UK. Test an improved composite rodmeter currently deployed with Royal Navy - potential to deliver more accurate readings for improved C2
  • 25MM Round for F-35/JSF – Switzerland. Test a multi-purpose frangible penetrating round that can be used to engage hard and soft targets
  • Insensitive Munitions (IM) Improvement of Light Armored Weapon Rocket Motor – Norway, UK, Sweden. Evaluates IM compliant solutions that improves overall safety of the LAW & fields IM compliant rocket motor system
  • COSMO-SkyMed – Italy. Test a constellation of four imaging satellites with multi-polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) with 1- meter resolution
  • Carl Gustaf 20mm Training System – Sweden. Evaluate 20mm HEDP rounds & sub-caliber training adapters for the 84mm anti-armor &anti-personnel weapon
  • Enhanced Fuze for 70mm Multi-Purpose Penetrating Warhead – Norway. Test an electronic fuze that enables “Little Bird” helicopter pilots to change delay settings on 70mm rocket warhead - engagement with a wider range of targets
  • Precision Sniper Rifle – Canada, UK, Finland. Comparatively test multiple sniper rifle systems capable of accurately engaging enemy personnel out to ranges of 1,500 meters, enhancing SOF sniper survivability
  • Submersible, Multi-fuel Outboard Engine – Italy. Test an air-assisted direct-injection fuel delivery system currently used on commercial off-the-shelf, lightweight, submersible outboard engines.

Over a number of years the program has shown that no country has a monopoly of creative ingenuity and technical capability. All countries big and small can cooperate to enhance cooperative endeavors. As importantly, at a time of extreme budgetary constraints this program has avoided costs to the U.S. taxpayer alone of U.S. $7.58 billion.

The FCT program provides two useful overviews of the range, depth and success of the mission:

Website: www.acq.osd.mil/cto

Dr. Ranger is President of Ranger Associates a strategic analytical group based in the Washington DC area and Victoria, British Columbia.