Report of Survey Conducted at United Defense, L.P. Armament Systems Division Aberdeen, SD

摘要

This report was produced by the Office of Naval Research's Best Manufacturing Practices (BMP) Program, a unique industry and government cooperative technology transfer effort that improves the competitiveness of America's industrial base both here and abroad. Our main goal at BMP is to increase the quality, reliability, and maintainability of goods produced by American firms. The primary objective toward this goal is simple: to identify best practices, document them, and then encourage industry and government to share information about them. BMP identifies and documents best practices by conducting in-depth, voluntary surveys such as this one at United Defense, L.P. Armament Systems Division in Aberdeen, South Dakota conducted during the week of April 26, 2004. Teams of BMP experts work hand-in-hand on-site with the company to examine existing practices, uncover best practices, and identify areas for even better practices. United Defense, L.P. Armament Systems Division, Aberdeen, South Dakota is a leader in machining, welding, finishing, mechanical and electrical assembly, and product service necessary for the support of the Advanced Gun System for the Navy's future surface combatant, the Mk 45 Mod 4 Naval Gun System and missile launch canisters, and the mechanical components for the Navy's Vertical Launching System, Mk 41. The Aberdeen facility continues to be a leader in the system integration and support of the Vertical Launching System by establishing standards of excellence in complex fabrication. Among the best examples were the facility's technical expertise and implementation of its Material Handling techniques, Powder Coating process, Lean Manufacturing Concepts, Safety Program, and Business Process Model.