Case Study on the Relationship Between OPM-Crusader, UDLP, and TACOM- ARDEC in the Development of the Crusader Armament

The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the relationships between the Office of the Project Manager - Crusader (OPM-Crusader), the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (a component of the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, abbreviated TACOM- ARDEC), and United Defense Limited Partnership (UDLP) in the development and delivery of the Crusader Armament System. These relationships are unique because, although the armament system is being developed by TACOM-ARDEC and manufactured by Watervliet Arsenal, it is not being supplied to UDLP as Government-Furnished Property (GFP) . Rather, a teaming relationship has been developed directly between TACOM-ARDEC and UDLP. OPM-Crusader transfers findings to TACOM-ARDEC which performs the work under the technical and programmatic direction of UDLP. TACOM-ARDEC's role is similar to that of a subcontractor. This research paper examines the relationships between the organizations, and contrasts them to the relationships that are found in traditional GFP situations. The research showed that these relationships should result in a better designed howitzer at a lower cost the Government.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'Case Study on the Relationship Between OPM-Crusader, UDLP, and TACOM- ARDEC in the Development of the Crusader Armament', published 1997 under ISBN 9781423562672 and ISBN 1423562674.