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To: dvdw© who wrote (1815)	5/25/2007 9:23:06 AM
From: dvdw©	Respond to of 3821

Oh MY...... Army Tests Futuristic Engine David Axe \| May 23, 2007 The Army has opened a $1-million engine test facility for its $200-billion Future Combat Systems program amid Congressional concerns that the ambitious modernization program costs too much and fails to improve upon existing weapons. The test facility at the Tank-Automotive Research and Development Center (TARDEC) in Warren, Michigan, includes several bays where engineers from the Army and from General Dynamics -- one of several major defense firms associated with FCS -- can install prototype hybrid-electric engines and their associated generators and put them through power loads simulating use in combat. Hybrid engines are slated for installation in the FCS manned vehicles, the first of which would enter service around 2014. Major Scott Tufts from the FCS mobility program office says an engine currently getting a workout at TARDEC will be fitted to a test model of the BAE Systems Non-Line-of-Sight Cannon, the FCS howitzer, in August. A partial howitzer prototype mounted on an improvised, old-fashioned chassis is already undergoing firing tests at Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Before the 5.5-liter, five-cylinder engine can be installed on the howitzer prototype, engineers at TARDEC must map its performance across a wide range of power loads and in extreme environmental conditions. “We can take the engine anywhere on the power map. We can do starting and backing up,” says John Srodawa, a General Dynamics engineer. Plus TARDEC’s test bays can be heated to 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to simulate high noon in the world’s hottest deserts. The first engine to undergo testing has so far logged around 110 hours in the bay, in bursts no longer than three hours, according to Srodawa. But he says that testing will soon ramp up to full power for up to 10 hours at a time. “The goal is to acquire enough data to map the engine’s efficiency.” That, he adds, will help engineers answer the question, “How do we optimize the engine and generator so that they give us the best fuel consumption?” Despite testing progress, Congress has questioned FCS’ schedule and goals. This month the House Armed Services Committee voted to cut $900 million from the program’s 2008 budget, saying that war expenses and an Army-wide maintenance backlog were more urgent -- and that FCS duplicates some existing Army capabilities. The proposed cut comes on the heels of the Army’s decision last year to defer four of the 18 vehicles and robots planned for FCS in order to save money. But even if the House cut sticks, FCS would still get nearly $3 billion next year. And Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) from the House committee says that’s plenty for FCS to meet its 2008 goals, including full installation of the first hybrid engine. military.com

To: dvdw© who wrote (1815)	5/29/2007 4:39:45 PM
From: dvdw©	Respond to of 3821

Heads Up Reply; today on the cauldron of controversy front a writer released a strongly emotional piece on EM800. Now I dont know anything about this person but this is the 2nd time I've heard this complaint. What I do know is the CC on EM700 contained material statements that are from credible sources on the technical front that makes writers opinions, subject to verification according to higher standards such as those of the Rubiks kind Rubiks is output, which never shows anything but what the intent of the output means to someone whose bought and paid for it. The purchasing party is never represented upfront for being who they are, or thier stake in any outcome. All journalism related to markets is Rubiks and must be stalked in and of itself. The S&D equation indicates program intent. We need to monitor this cauldron and see what spills over the edge as it simmers on the fire. Meanwhile, I'll relisten to the CC of both companies listening for contradictions.