In addition, CBIRF provides all the medical training for the MEU personnel involved in the NBC mission.

Question. What are the lessons learned from recent deployments of CBIRF? Have these lessons learned been promulgated to other Services?

Answer. CBIRF has conducted both operational and training deployments. The key operational deployments have been in support of restoration of the US Capitol office spaces and in support of National Special Security Events (NSSES).

The key lessons are the requirement for a well balanced, task organized, flexible force that can respond to very wide range of mission taskings from the incident commander, who is in almost all cases, a civilian. While on Capitol Hill, CBIRF conducted biological sampling operations, moved 12 tons of contaminated mail and completely cleaned out a Senate office. Bio Sampling was a mission CBIRF had trained for, although on nowhere near the scale it was executed. The other two missions had never been anticipated or trained for. The key to success was a balanced force that had the logistics, command and control, technical expertise and thorough familiarity with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Incident Command System. CBIRF was able to meet all civilian PPE and safety requirements dictated by the incident commander.

Subsequent operations have been preposition operations in support of security for special events. These have validated CBIRF's basic operational concepts but highlighted the need for large numbers of personnel trained to enter a contaminated area and then extract contaminated victims. In particular, the full response training at the Capitol prior to the 2003 State of the Union Address was invaluable in demonstrating the mission enhancements gained from pre-positioned equipment and personnel.

We have shared our lessons learned with all those military and first responders who attend the EOD and law enforcement seminars we conduct quarterly. În addition, we train monthly with local fire and EMS organizations and work with the community specific command and control structures to insure what we have learned is passed on.

Finally, we host a monthly Technology Review Board specifically to examine lessons learned and seek new technology to assist with the mission. Standing members of this board included the National Guard CST Equipment/Training Officer, US Coast Guard Strike Team Representatives, and local and state first responder agen

cies.

Question. The Committee understands that the Marine Corps is engaged in an effort to upgrade the equipment used by CBIRF units. Please explain the operational requirements for this program.

Answer. The initial requirements for CBIRF can be found in its Operational Requirements Document (ORD) of 1996. Since its inception, CBIRF's missions have expanded as the unit matured and new and differing threats have emerged. CBIRF, has a new Mission Statement signed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps in January 2002. A Universal Needs Statement (UNS) was approved in January 2003. The basis of the UNS was developed in the CBIRF Research, Development, and Acquisition Plan (Approved in November 2002) that provided a detailed analysis of the CBIRF mission areas and capabilities that the unit needs to be mission effective. The approved UNS identified seven mission areas for CBIRF: Reconnaissance, Decontamination, Force Protection, Medical, Urban Search and Rescue, C4I, and General Support. Informally, force protection has been split into personal protective equipment and anti-terrorism force protection. In general, FIRS pursues an evolutionary approach, upgrading capabilities with the best available technology as threats and missions change or previous systems reach the end of their service life. Question. What investments are proposed in the fiscal year 2004 budget request for the Family of Incident Response Systems (FIRS) to enhance CBIRF capabilities? Over the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) ?

Answer. CBIRF has received approval of a force structure increase of 98 Marines and Sailors. These personnel will allow CBIRF to increase the operational capabilities and endurance of their two Incident Response Forces (IRF). A complete set of GOTS and COTS individual equipment will be needed for the additional CBIRF members.

Response time is critical to the effectiveness of CBIRF to react to a terrorist incident. To improve deployability, additional investment will be applied to procuring additional equipment to have equipment staged for force deployment by ground or air. Over the FYDP, a complete third set of CBIRF response equipment will be procured to be used for operational training. This will allow the two deployable equipment sets to be kept at 100 percent operational readiness status. Additionally, the airdeployable set will be packaged for transport by military or commercial aircraft. This will significantly reduce response time and enhance operational readiness. This

course of action is based on an analysis conducted when CBIRF was brought under the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Anti-Terrorism (4th MEB-AT).

Deployability and safety will be enhanced with the FY04 procurement of specially configured buses that will allow the IRFS to deploy in contiguous sub-elements and allow mission planning and briefings to be conducted moving to an incident site. Presently, the IRFS are transported in box vans, 15 passenger vans, and standard school buses that do not have sufficient space for individual response equipment. Starting in FY 2004 and continuing over the FYDP, the creation of a limited stockpile of scarce consumables and long lead-time items will increase CBIRF's operational depth and enhance mission reconstitution capabilities. Previous limited resourcing has not sufficiently provided equipment depth required for resupply and operational reconstitution. The commercial market for some items, such as mask filters and OSHA Level A suits, is being overwhelmed by governmental agencies at the Federal, state, and local levels. Based on lessons learned from CBIRF's response to the anthrax attacks and Operation Nobel Eagle, FIRS will move away from the "just-in-time" commercial supply paradigm for select items to one of "on-hand-supply" for operational depth. This requires investment in additional equipment.

Commercial investments in R&D are creating new and improved capabilities that enhance the performance of existing technologies. An example, the Chem Pro 100 is completing Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT). Depending on the outcome of that test, this COTS detector could improve CBIRF's reconnaissance mission capability enhancing the detection of TICS/TIMS.

New and improved versions of the CBIRF's existing equipment makes CBIRF COTS equipment obsolete. Recapitalization investment must be available to take advantage of these technological breakthroughs. For example, the improved MultiRAE detector provides additional capability and remote sensing. Investment would be used to procure this technology thereby improving CBIRFs remote sensing capability. The FIRS program office must be in a position to take advantage of rapidly emerging technological improvements to recapitalize CBIRF equipment that has been in their inventory since 1997.

The FIRS program office is an active participant with the Technical Support Working Group (TSWG) and has resourced a number of efforts that are coming into maturity. As these efforts mature, the FIRS program office will procure them for CBIRF. In FY 2004, the Chemical Resistant Drinking Tube and an improved heat stress calculator should be available for procurement.

Question. What technologies are being pursued to support the FIRS program in the Marine Corps Research and Development funding lines?

Answer. Technologies pursued in the FIRS program line support the eight commodity areas defined for Marine Corps Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Incident Response Forces: Reconnaissance, Decontamination, Medical, Anti-Terrorism Force Protection, Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE), Search and Rescue, C4I, and General Support. Each project is relatively small, no more than moderate risk, and widely_coordinated with the Services, Federal Agencies, and applicable DoD programs. The Marine Corps has historically resourced the CBIRF, now FIRS, RDT&E funding line at a modest level, about $1 million per year. In fiscal year 2004, FIRS is budgeted to receive $1.9 million. With such a limited budget, the FIRS program maintains a high activity level through teaming and cost sharing.

In the area of Search and Rescue, FIRS supports the demonstration and evaluation of COTS and emerging (TRL 6 or higher) technologies for victim location and extraction from a multi-hazard environment, e.g., collapsed structure and chemical contamination. These include infrared, ultra-violet, acoustic, electromagnetic sensors for assessing structural hazards and locating casualties. Additionally, FIRS participates with the joint program office, government labs and universities for the demonstration and evaluation of robotic systems applied to search and rescue.

In the area of PPE, FIRS participates with the TSWG, Soldier Biological Chemical Command (SBCCOM), and NIOSH for the development and testing of drinking tubes for commercial positive pressure respirators (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)). Additionally, FIRS participates with NAVAIR and TSWG in the assessment of respiratory and heat stress loads experienced when conducting consequence management related tasks and mission profiles and the development of a heat stress calculator for use with OSHA Level A and Level B protective postures. Finally, FIRS is investigating the effects of breathing high flow rates (up to 115 LPM) and toxic industrial chemicals on GOTS and COTS filters in association with NIOSH, TSWG, SBCCOM and the commodity area manager (CAM) for Individual Protective Equipment. As a side note, CBIRF has served as a test unit for both Joint Lightweight Integrated Suite Technology (JSLIST) Block 1 Glove and the Joint Service General Purpose Mask (JSGPM).

In the Medical commodity area, FIRS is supporting the initiatives of International Task Force 45 (ITF 45) which is chaired by ĈBIRF. FIRS supports the development of a Mass Casualty Ventilation System for use with civilian casualties in contaminated environments. Furthermore, FIRS supports the collaborative development of a mass casualty training protocol with Defense Research and Development Canada and TSWG.

In the area of General Support, FIRS is supporting the assessment of several mobility systems to improve the safety and speed of CBIRF's deployment to an incident site and CBIRF's mobility around the hot zone of an incident. This includes modified commercial vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and personal transporters. The intent is to increase the endurance of the unit by reducing the physical exertion required to maintain a high casualty extraction sortie rate.

In the reconnaissance commodity area, FIRS leverages the DoD sponsored Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program to pursue non immunoassay based biological detection and class based identification, individually worn sensors, an improved field analysis capability. Current FIRS sponsored SBIR topics include: Individual Bio Sensor/Sampler, Multi-TIC Colorimetric Badge, Disposable Chemical Detector, Extending the Life of Bio Sensors with Dendrimers, Microorganism Imprinted Polymers, Field Chemical Analytical Tool, Multi-Mission Chemical Sensor, and MEMS-based Microcantilever Chemical Sensor. Although funding for phase Í and phase II SBIRs are centrally funded and approved by the OSD sponsored SBIR program, FIRS supports the program management, technical oversight and transition of the programs. FIRS participates in the U.S. Army Chem Bio Defense Tech Base program in the topic of Fluorescently Labeled Virus Probes for nonimmunoassay based bacteria detection. FIRS supports the testing of lightweight, low cost, COTS and emerging chemiresistive and chemicapacitive polymer-based chemical sensors. FIRS supports the development of an automated M256 detector kit reader in cooperation with SBCCOM. FIRS R&D supports the development of rapid analytical methods for field use of Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer systems. In the decontamination area, FIRS supports improvements and seeks enhanced capabilities in mass casualty decontamination systems. These improvements will increase throughput of civilian ambulatory and non ambulatory casualties through the demonstration of COTS and emerging systems such as tents, water heating, collection and recycling systems. This effort in particular differs significantly from the efforts underway in more traditional operating forces. These improvements focus on decontamination in an urban environment for civilian casualties with a significantly wider age and health range then traditional military decontamination systems and procedures are designed.

ADVANCE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT VEHICLE (AAAV)

Question. The fiscal year 2004 budget request includes $97.9 million for Procurement, Marine Corps to complete funding for nine System Development and Demonstration (SDD) prototypes of the AAAV. The fiscal year 2002 Annual Report of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation indicates that amphibious operations testing has been repeatedly postponed because of poor performance in Developmental Testing relating to ocean operations, and transiting to surf zones. Also, operating sequentially on water and on land has not been demonstrated. Once fielded, the AAAV will replace AAV7A1.

General, please describe the status of the AAAV program. The Committee understands that the Marine Corps is presently completing System Development and Demonstration (SDD) prototype vehicles that will be provided to the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation for testing.

Answer. The AAAV is currently in the Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) acquisition phase (formerly called EMD). The Prime Contractor is General Dynamics Amphibious Systems in Woodbridge, Virginia. Testing of the three first generation program definition and risk reduction (PDRR) prototypes is ongoing. Integration and assembly of second generation SDD prototype vehicles began in fiscal year 2002 and is ongoing. An operational assessment with four prototype vehicles is scheduled for early fiscal year 2005 to support the Milestone (MS) C, Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) decision planned for September 2005. The AAAV program is on schedule and within budget.

Question. What are the results of AAAV testing so far?

Answer. Extensive testing of first-generation, program definition and risk reduction (PDRR) prototypes continues. Accomplishments to date include the following: The AAAV PDRR prototypes have performed approximately 4,900 miles of land mobility testing (equivalent to nine vehicle years) and 2,270 hours of water testing including the conduct of operations with the amphibious ship USS Anchorage (LSD

36) to execute static and underway launches and recoveries from the ship and successful maneuvering within the well deck. Firepower testing of PDRR prototypes demonstrated that the prototype design met the ORD requirement for accuracy during Firepower Developmental Testing. Numerous design changes have been incorporated into the second-generation, SDD prototypes to improve the AAAV design in the areas of vehicle performance and troop comfort. Testing of the SDD prototypes will commence in fiscal year 2003. The program is currently on track for demonstrating all land and water mobility Key Performance Parameters (KPPs).

Question. Please comment on the DOT&E 2002 report which indicates that the amphibious phase of early operational testing has been postponed due to performance of vehicle.

Answer. After careful consideration, and study of other program testing profiles, it was determined that the conduct of an amphibious Early Operational Assessment (EOA) on first-generation prototype vehicles this early in the program was, not as valuable as performing additional developmental testing on the program definition and risk reduction assets with second-generation SDD components. Additional developmental testing will enable the program to achieve early test lessons learned information as it continues to mature the SDD components. An operational assessment is planned for fiscal year 2004 with the more mature, second-generation SDD prototypes. The testing is planned to coincide with the completion of the first draft of the tactics, techniques, and procedures that are being developed for high speed open ocean transport of Marines using AAAVS.

Question. What specifically will be accomplished with fiscal year 2004 funding? Answer. The fiscal year 2004 funding for the AAAV includes the following for PMC and RDT&E:

• PMC funding is budgeted for Special Tools (ST) and Special Tools Equipment (STE) in the amount of $97.9 million. The funding will be used to procure from General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and major subcontractors required materials, services, personnel and facilities to design, fabricate, manufac ture or procure, and install and proof ST/STE that is unique and specific to the AAAV program. ST/STE will be used to manufacture production AAAVS during Low Rate Initial Production and Full Rate Production phases of the AAAV acquisition program.

• RDT&E in the amount of $240.7 million will be used for the following: continued design development, manufacturing planning, and producibility design enhancements of the AAAV(P) and AAAV(C) designs; the AAAV survivability program; fabrication and delivery of SDD prototypes; testing of PDRR and SDĎ prototypes; development of AAAV training devices and simulators; development of AAAV training courseware; and completion of Ballistic Vulnerability Testing of program definition and risk reduction prototypes.

Question. What is the fielding plan for the AAAV? How many of these vehicles does the Marine Corps plan to acquire and how long will it take to replace the AAV7A1?

Answer. The delivery schedule for AAAV is depicted below with a total of 1,013 vehicles. Full operational capability (FOC) is scheduled for FY 18.

Question. The Lightweight 155mm Howitzer (XM 777) is the Marine Corps' and the Army's next generation 155mm towed howitzer. It will replace the M198 towed artillery piece. The XM 777 weighs about 10,000 lbs. compared to 16,000 for M198; two can fit into a C-130 aircraft. The Marine Corps serves as the DOD lead for developing the gun, and the Army leads development of the digital fire control system. The Marine Corps budget request includes $111.5 million in fiscal year 2004 to pro

cure 60 guns. The decision to approve full rate production is scheduled for beginning of fiscal year 2005. The program total includes $784.4 million to produce a total of 377 guns.

General, please describe for the Committee the state of development of the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer.

Answer. The Lightweight 155mm Howitzer (LW155) had a successful Milestone C decision last November by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition). This decision authorized the award of a two-year multiyear contract for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase. During this LRIP phase the Marine Corps is ordering a total of 94 howitzers-34 in FY 2003 and 60 in FY 2004 with deliveries commencing about a year after placement of orders. The prime contractor is preparing for production and placing orders with their suppliers. More than 70 percent of the weapon will be produced in the US with final integration and assembly occurring in Hattiesburg, MS. The weapon is performing well in the ongoing reliability growth and corrosion testing, and we have taken extraordinary steps to integrate the testing and production of the basic weapon with the Army funded digital fire control effort. After this two-year LRIP phase, we expect the Marine Corps and the Army to jointly procure M777A1 howitzers (guns with integrated digital fire control). Support for the program is strong within both Services and we are nearing completion of an agreement which will continue cooperation through production with the United Kingdom and Italy.

Question. One of the main management problems in this program has been establishing production facilities in the US to produce "production representative guns” for testing. Have these problems been resolved? Please explain.

Answer. Yes, those issues have been resolved. We have produced two pilot production howitzers using the US production facilities. This pilot production effort has confirmed the supply chains capability to produce the LW155 and extensive testing of these guns has been very successful. More than 70 percent of the work content for production guns will be accomplished within the US with final integration and assembly to occur at Hattiesburg, MS. Low-rate initial production howitzers are currently being produced. These fully "production representative" howitzers will be used for the final operational test next summer.

Question. How is testing proceeding? The Committee understands that the weapon has had problems, notably with titanium components used to reduce weight. Comment on these problems, and the steps the Marine Corps has taken to solve them.

Answer. Testing has been progressing very well. The fact that the program achieved a successful Milestone C is evidence that the design is sound and the weapon meets requirements. Prior issues with cracks, generally around weld locations in some components (spades, trails, travel locks) have been resolved by strengthening those areas and in many cases eliminating the welds altogether by using castings. The program conducted a rigorous operational assessment (OA) over a 6-8 week period using both soldiers and Marines and was assessed by independent evaluators from both Services. During that OA over 5000 rounds were fired and the weapon was towed over 1000 miles with no evidence of structural failures. Additional structural improvements have been incorporated onto the pilot production guns as have more than 40 castings. These castings have increased the strength of the weapon even further by significantly reducing the number of welds. Strength of design testing on pilot production weapons was very successful.

Question. The Committee is aware that the Engineering Manufacturing and Design guns used for testing did not incorporate improvements, and were not production representative. Have production representative guns that incorporate design improvements yet been produced to complete testing?

Answer. Yes. The two pilot production guns that incorporate design improvements were built by the actual production team. The first pilot production weapon has passed strength of design and accuracy testing and is currently undergoing rigorous reliability growth testing at Yuma Proving Ground. The second pilot production weapon is being used to support the development and integration of the pre-planned product improvement digital fire control (known as Towed Artillery Digitization or TAD). Low-rate initial production of the howitzer is well under way and the initial deliveries in early FY04 will be used for first article testing, production qualification testing, and a joint operational test to support the full-rate production decision. Question. What is the fielding plan for the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer in terms of both the number of guns and funding over the Future Years Defense Program? Answer. The Marine Corps has a requirement for 380 systems and will achieve an initial operational capability (IOC) in FY05 and a full operational capability (FOC) in FY08. The Marine Corps program is funded for 377 systems. The Army