EIPT Forum: The State of the EDGE

Mr Alan Stocks, Deuputy Program Manager for the Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad program, discusses power management within the Corps.

The second annual Executive Integrated Product Team Forum was held in March 2008. Representatives from government and from over 50 EDGE member organizations gathered in Scottsdale, Ariz. to discuss the status of the EDGE and its latest technology innovations, share feedback, and work with customers to identify needs and areas for improvement.

Richard Coupland, director of the EDGE Innovation Network opened the Forum by stating some pretty impressive statistics. EDGE membership has grown over 270% and EDGE government organization support grew over 350% since the EDGE opened in December 2006 proving that the EDGE model works. Highlights of the day-long event included a briefing on the state of the EDGE; presentations by key EDGE supporters; and several project demonstrations and break out tracks.

Speakers from government organizations and the Armed Services addressed the audience on current capability gaps and what EDGE members could do to help get much needed technology to the field – faster.

BG Pete Palmer, Director of Accelerated andCapabilities Development for the US Army Capabilities Integration Center, spoke on warfighter needs and rapid equipping stating that “…we (the Army) have to reach the businesses to help us solve these pieces – if you can develop a capability, we can more quickly turn it.”

Gen Palmer also emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among industry when faced with obstacles for fielding technology. “Let’s cross talk to get through the obstacle belts”, he said, “because it’s all about getting the soldier something.”

Mark Tucker, Program Manager of Battlefield Air Operation Kit for the US Air Force, added the Battlefield Airman Office has identified those program offices within the Air Force who operate on the ground and said they are very aware of what the others are doing. He also agreed with the Armyleadership in attendance that one of the toughest upcoming challenges is to equip those airmen and infantry soldiers on the ground that don’t fight the same way as those equipped with vehicles.

Alan Stocks, Deputy Program manager for the Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad, spoke on the areas on which his team is most focused: integration, human factors and technology harvesting. Stocks told EDGE members to look at the “squad as a system” and challenged them to figure out how to better manage power within the squad. He also echoed many of the same capability gaps and concerns of the other services, and encouraged everyone to “come to a common solution.”

Several government organizations pledged to help the EDGE by providing information that would help accelerate capabilities from labs to fielding.

During the Forum, the EDGE also hosted its second annual Technology Showcase, where EDGE members displayed and shared the latest technologiesavailable within the EGDE with forum attendees. To date, over 46 projects have been tracked in the EDGE with over half fielded or positioned for a next build of a target program or system.

The EDGE is committed to its customers and users and will continue to refine, improve and expand its offerings through collaboration and innovation - taking warfighter capabilities from the cutting edge to the tactical edge.

BG Pete Palmer (US Army, ARCIC) addresses the audience at the 2nd annual EDGE EIPT Forum in Scottsdale, Ariz.		COL Keith Edwards (right) and CSM Philip Pich (left) listen to a briefing on Land Warrior Systems.