Does anyone know what that is?
I was browsing the Remington online catalog and it mentioned a few guns have parts life that are 2x M4 FAT Requirements. I have never heard this term before.
Usually means First Article Test.
Do you know what the M4’s are?
Isn’t M4 FAT an airsoft gun?
Yes. Why the question?
This had piqued my interest.
This is what I was able to find just as a base definition.
http://www.aviation.dla.mil/ExternalWeb/UserWeb/aviationengineering/PET/FAT-PLT.asp
Granted this is for aviation…
First Article Testing (FAT) is performed to validate that the vendor has the manufacturing capability, process and facilities to produce a product in accordance with the requirements of the contract. FAT may include a FIT Test to confirm form, fit and function (FFF) in the next higher assembly or end item. Production Lot Testing (PLT) is performed to verify that the manufacturer can and has maintained the manufacturing capability, process and facilities to produce a product in accordance with the requirements throughout the entire life of the contract. Our First Article Tracking (FAT) program details information concerning on-going first article testing.
We maintain an electronic library of Government First Article and Production Lot test reports. Copies of Completed Test results are stored in our Test Report folder. The reports are broken out by Service Activities and further by Lab performing the testing. Some facilities are further broken out by contract fiscal year due to the volume of reports processed. To request a copy of the variables data or to determine the status or to obtain particular OVERDUE tests contact the Test & Evaluation Office. The minimum data required is NSN, Contract Number, the location of testing facility, date shipped, time allotted for testing, DD Form 250 & shipping company tracking data (if available).
Request a change in priority are normally restricted to Special Project coded items, MICAP, NMCS or AOG requirements however other priorities are considered as the needs arise. To request a increase of the priority, submit the request to expedite testing to the Testing and Product Assurance Office, again providing NSN, Contract Number, the location of testing facility, date shipped, time allotted for testing, DD Form 250 & shipping company tracking data (if available) as well as the justification / reason for the request. The request will be coordinated to elevate the Contract to the top of the workload where it will be placed in the work queue with any other pre-existing Expedite request.
In short it looks like the testing parameters set for the product being sold to the government, and that each one off the assembly line will meet those requirements every time. So the way I am reading this, there are parts Remington is producing to last 2X what they originally set with the government on the sale of the M4.
This might be in reference to this:
http://www.gao.gov/products/D03713#mt=e-report
It looks like they won a bid against Colt… Then again, I may be way off.
Personal knowledge, found it interesting and could not find anything in documents for the m4, ect.
Sorry, I misunderstood your question. FAT requirements may have been written into specific contract language or item specifications, not necessarily in TDP documentation. I have never worked with M4 test specs, though.
I gotcha, I was trying to figure out what they were and go from there to figure out what they are getting with the ACR.
Interesting, did we ever find out who won the contract when all was said and done? according to that the Colt bid was only $12 more per rifle.
It looks like they upheld the complaint in August, but then tried to continue with Remington, and stopped again…lots of different takes, but Colt is protesting in a few arenas.
Great read. It really brings to light the whole Mil-Spec, requirements and what they are looking for, and the consistency involved with the contracts.
http://militarytimes.com/blogs/gearscout/category/contracts/