Released by Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake Public Affairs Office--
By Linda Lou Crosby, P3R/Wyle

"The ever-increasing demand on software development capabilities requires NAVAIR to exponentially increase its ability to consistently deliver high quality software at minimal cost". (From the NAVAIR Mission Area Team concept of operation.)

A broad move forward by the NAVAIR Systems Engineering Department to improve performance in the acquisition, development and sustainment of software intensive systems across the Naval Aviation Enterprise began March 25th as east and west coast Mission Area Teams (MAT) went from concept to reality. New leads for the two teams were announced. Cherry Point's Lorenda Batson is leading the Special Missions MAT on the east coast and Weapons Division's Mark Roth is leading the Strike MAT on the west coast.

Two other Mission Area Teams that will make the same kind of transition within six months are the Multi Mission & Patrol (MMP) and Weapons.

A MAT is a grouping of Integrated Product Teams (IPT) and Software Support Activities (SSA) based on Program Executive Office (PEO) alignment and geographic location that focuses on improving technical, cost and schedule performance for software acquisition, development and sustainment.

The primary responsibility of the MATs is to work closely with the Program Managers (PMAs) to develop and deliver products to the warfighter at the best value possible. Information and resource sharing is a key to MAT success, along with the application of model-based improvement, and the establishment of a team-wide measurement program. Collaboration across teams provides joint technical solutions. The size of a MAT varies greatly, as a function of the teams being supported, and is designed to be flexible in adapting to increases or decreases in product/platform tasking based on a common set of processes and tools.

"The goal was to group MATs along mission capability lines," explained Systems Engineering Division Management Head Joan Johnson, "with consideration for PEO alignment and geographic constraints as well.

The goal of the newly formed MATs is to continue to provide excellent service to the Fleet, while accelerating overall performance improvement and product quality across the Naval Aviation Enterprise. And they will learn as they go. "The new MAT team members, guided by their leads, will note the things that work the best, and focus on finding ways to use those best practices across the Naval Aviation Enterprise," said Terry Clark, the Director of Software Engineering for NAVAIR. "MAT team members will also note the bumps in the road, and work to flatten out those bumps for the teams that follow. We look to see a cross-pollination of knowledge and business practices developing that will benefit all," added Clark. Clark also noted the work that has gone into designing the MAT concept by the planning team. "The team worked practically non-stop over the last year to come up with a workable concept that would bring benefits both to the Fleet and also NAVAIR business operations. And now, the Strike MAT and Special Mission MAT are working non-stop to integrate their operations, providing transitional insight so the other MATs can begin operation on October 1, 2005."

For Johnson, AV-8B Integrated Product Team Lead Dwayne Heinsma, and PRE program Manager Bruce Bull, who were involved in spear-heading the planning that led to the standup of this innovative concept, it was a culmination of a tremendous effort.

"The people on the planning team for the MAT and the NAVAIR Software System Support Center (NSSC), the support arm for all MATs across NAVAIR, spent countless hours in developing all the parts of this new concept." Johnson said. Bull added, "The big challenges we faced were how to bring all the teams together in a synergistic way, and to continue to support the Fleet as we stood up the MATs." Heinsma agreed, "The Fleet relies on us first and foremost to meet their needs, to provide readiness now. And we plan to continue doing just that." Paramount to the MAT/NSSC transformation is the concept of stewardship. “We are focused on the good of the whole organization," added Bull.

While totally immersed in creating the MAT concept of operations, the planning team was also busy getting the message out. Dwayne Heinsma spent weeks on the road briefing program managers on the concept and gathering their ideas and concerns. "At the same time, we were building this new way of doing business, " said Heinsma. "It was essential to communicate the concept to the stakeholders. Addressing the ideas and concerns of the stakeholders was, and will be, a key component to the success of our efforts."

Heinsma continues in his special envoy role as the Special Missions MAT stands up at Lakehurst (Aviation Support Equipment and Aircraft Launch & Recovery Equipment), Patuxent River (Air Combat Electronics, ATC & combat ID Systems, Training Systems, H-53, E-6B, V-22, VH-3D/VH-60N/VXX) and Cherry Point (H-46 and C-130).

The members that will be transitioning in October 2005 include PMA-170 (GPS), PMA-213 (ATC & Combat ID), PMA-273 (T45), PMA-274 (VH/VXX), PMA-275 (V-22), and the rest of the software support activities in PMA-209.

East coast Special Missions MAT Lead, Lorenda Batson, has had positive results with her initial efforts. "So far, every Special Mission Software Support Activity Lead has been optimistic, open-minded and enthusiastic about the opportunities that this new MAT architecture will provide. I am excited to be working with such a great group of people, as we can learn so much from each other, save taxpayers’ money, and provide a better product to the fleet."

The STRIKE team includes EA-6B and Electronic Warfare at Point Mugu, NavMPS at Point Mugu and China Lake, H-1/UH-1, and AV-8B also at China Lake, and E2-C at Point Mugu and Patuxent River. F/A-18 will join the Strike MAT in October.

'NAVAIR Weapons Division's Mark Roth, the new west coast STRIKE MAT Lead, had already begun the work of integrating IPTs together with NavMPS IPT Lead, Gerardo Garcia, and EA-6B IPT Lead Mark Schallheim. "We were working towards similar kinds of goals at Point Mugu," said Roth. "It seemed like the natural thing to do. There is a lot of value our combined knowledge brings to the table." The group has been referred to as "MGM" as others became aware of their integration efforts.

Roth added, "Organizing multiple product teams together as a MAT gives us the opportunity to expand our net as we accumulate and put into place best business practices. Status quo is not an option - we are committed towards constant improvement in the quality of our products together with improved business efficiency."

Heinsma reiterated the importance of this effort. " Our warfighting environment is placing ever-increasing demands for software-intensive systems. Warfighting systems rely on software more than ever before. This trend in software reliance will continue to grow, translating to increasing software maintenance costs in an environment of shrinking budgets. We knew we could not afford to operate as we have in the past. So, the design/planning team worked at it, and came up with an operating strategy that was approved by the NAVAIR Executive Decision Board just recently. Now, it is time to make it real."

"We will all learn as we go," added Johnson. "We have come a long way. Now we need to put our planning to the test."