I spent the day at the United Defense Industry factory in York, PA (formerly FMC and BMR among others). I got to see the assembly lines for vehicles like the M2A3 Bradley, M7 Bradley Fire Support Vehicle, AAV7 Amtrack, MLRS, M88A2 Hercules, M109A6 Paladin and a variety of chassis that were manufactured for foreign military sales (like that Turkish M113 variant discussed several days ago).

Interesting tour seeing many of these AFVs in sheets of aluminum, bare aluminum hulls, and every state of assembly you can imagine. The bare aluminum chassises are dipped in a huge vat of chromate and come out that yellowish chromate color.

I also found out that they are now painting the vehicles in desert sand base coat, and then over spraying the 3-color NATO pattern on top of the desert sand color if required. Some parts like roadwheels and hatches are still supplied in forest green. The patterns are made out of huge sheets of mylar and the vehicle is masked much like a huge sheet of frisket paper.

It was a modeler's dream! The anti slip coating on the upper surfaces were large black stickers that were affixed to the hull, turret and hatches. The paint booth was one of the highlights for me.

We got to see a short film on UDI's variant of the Future Cavalry and Scout System, both their wheeled and tracked variants. Interesting concept vehicles. Also found out the disposition of the M8 Armored Gun System and the recently cancelled Grizzly engineer vehicle.

Rob you lucky devil. What does it take to get a tour? I grew up 2 hrs from York and my Mom and brother still live nearby. I try to get back there yearly.
I don't suppose you got pics? Or maybe a free sample like they do on eht Hershey tour?

York........That's all of a 7 or 8 hour Drive........... #:-) #:-) #:-) #:-)

Matt

ROB:
You must have felt like a kid in a candy store........OH Well... Maybe the CANDY Might have been more than you could afford....BUT STILL...What A DAY....What Fun !!!! You Lucky Dog.
I Don't suppose you have PICTURES to PROOVE IT....LOL . So how did you mange to get a tour ?? And how long was it. Either way i'm sure it still was not long enough. It sounds like you had a nice day. Good Job.

DAGGER-1

I've seen several factories when I was a journalist specialised in industry (I wtarted at the airport only 15 years ago), but I never was so lucky to see the assembly of military goodies !
However if there's one assembly line I'd love to see during my short stay on this planet, it would be at Boeing or Airbus. The 747 line must be incredible !
We already thought you have a swell job before you went to see the Bradley family production programme, but now you really got us drooling here, Bob !
I guess there's no pictures of all that ?
(Jim, we URGENTLY need a drooling smiley here ! )

No photos allowed, the tour was part of a field trip for the Logistic Course I'm in. I do have the briefing packets that were handed out with the inbrief. Lots of good info, and it was neat to see the painting and marking of the vehicles.
Nope, national defense and all that. If it makes you feel any better, assume I made up the story and convince yourself that a field grade Army officer involved in the armor/maintenance/logistics field would never be allowed into a factory that produced AFVs and spare parts.

Thanks Rob:
I'm sure you had fun.. BUT you know I JUST had to Pull at you..LOL

DAGGER-1

DOG!!!!

My sources say that the couple of M-8s are in California...

Confirm or deny??

John

Anyway Civilians can get a tour? I live about 2 hours from York and I didnt have the fainst idea that the vechicles I worked on came from there

Rob, you are so lucky!!!
I thought the M8 AGS was cancelled in favor of the Stryker and all its variants?

The M8s appear to be still in the running for the Future Combat Vehicle. They are still tweaking it. Something about a turbine & battery system used to power an electrical motor to actually run the vehicle. The new powerplant is silent and the only sounds come from the the mechanics of the suspension system. The lower suspension parts were borrowed from the Bradley FOV, but the tracks are band-type. Kind of a proof of concept vehicle now.

Apparently the new powerplant cuts a large amount of weight from the previous design.

Well if you are ever in Washington State, USA, or more specifically in (or near) Seattle go to the Boeing Factory. I've taken their tour, and one of the stops was the assembly hangar of a 747. Very big I must say, and very nice. Although, when I was there I was hoping to see a 777, but the 747 was still just as good.

LUCKY SON OF A B*#@H!!!!!!!

O.K., O.K., ya just kicked my 'envy' meter up a couple of notches there Major 'G' !!!

Tread.

(Jim, Where's that drooling smiley we so desperately need ???!!!)

I WAS in Seattle once, when I was 21. I was only passing through, had my G R A N D M A with me (who was 81 at the time !) and visiting the Everett plant wasn't on our schedule... (boooooohooooooooo
Well, maybe some day I'll just fly there all the way just to see the construction. maybe I could push it a bit and go there for my job ?

To the Major: What are the prospects for the new Stryker fighting vehicle? Will they ship some examples to the Mideast for 'real world' tests in advance of any war with Iraq? An accelerated development schedule or testing in the field is not unheard of, especially as seen in Vietnam or Desert Storm.