1.This Act may be cited as the Light
Weight Armor Research Requirements for Individual Operational Readiness
Act
or the LT WARRIOR Act
.
2.Establishment of joint
task force on lightweight body armor
(a)The
Secretary of Defense shall establish a joint task force, to be known as
Joint Task Force Light Weight Armor Research Requirements for Individual
Operational Readiness
or JTF–LT WARRIOR
, to—
(1)synchronize
efforts among the military departments to identify and examine the requirements
for lighter weight body armor; and
(2)serve as the centralized body for
determining and coordinating issues regarding lightweight body armor and other
personal protective equipment, including the required attributes of such armor
and the development and procurement of such armor and equipment.
(b)
(1)The
task force shall consist of not more than 20 members, to be appointed by the
Secretary as follows:
(A)At least one
member shall be appointed from each of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine
Corps.
(B)At least one
member shall represent the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering
Center of the Army.
(C)At least one
member shall represent the Defense Logistics Agency.
(D)At least one
member shall represent the United States Special Operations Command.
(E)At least one
member shall represent the Program Executive Office Soldier.
(F)At least one member shall represent the
Test and Evaluation Command of the Army.
(G)At least one
member shall represent the Defense Standardization Program Office.
(H)Other members representing other entities
considered appropriate by the Secretary.
(2)In appointing
members to the task force, the Secretary may consider including representatives
from industry, including developers, manufacturers, and testing
personnel.
(3)The
members of the task force shall be appointed not later than 30 days after the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(4)Of a member appointed under paragraph (1)
who is a member of the Armed Forces, the Secretary shall designate a chair of
the task force.
(c)
(1)Not later than six months after the date on which all
members of the task force have been appointed, and each six month period
thereafter for a period of 18 months, the task force shall submit to the
Secretary a report recommending ways in which the Secretary and each Secretary
of a military department may more effectively address the research,
development, and procurement requirements regarding reducing the weight of body
armor.
(2)The reports required
under paragraph (1) shall include an assessment of the following:
(A)The requirement
for lighter weight body armor and personal protective equipment.
(B)Innovative design
ideas for more modular body armor that allow for scalable protection levels for
various missions and threats.
(C)Research,
development, acquisition, and funding objectives specifically dedicated to
reducing the weight of body armor and other personal protective equipment
items.
(D)The efficiency and effectiveness of current
body armor funding procedures and processes.
(E)Industry concerns,
capabilities, and willingness to invest in the development and production of
lightweight body armor initiatives.
(3)In submitting the reports under paragraph
(1), the task force shall consider as bases for making assessments—
(A)the findings and
recommendations of previous reviews and the efforts of similar coordination
boards;
(B)the views of
operations, combat, and materiel developers; and
(C)other factors the
task force considers appropriate.
(d)
(1)The
task force shall submit to the Secretary of Defense and each Secretary of a
military department a final report on the activities of the task force.
(2)The report shall include the following:
(A)An assessment of
the ability of the Department of Defense to support the requirement for
lightweight body armor.
(B)An assessment of
any barriers preventing the development of lighter weight body armor (including
such barriers with respect to technical, institutional, or financial
problems).
(C)The need for
dedicated research and development funding specifically for reducing the weight
of body armor.
(D)Other areas of
concern not previously mentioned or addressed by equipping boards, body armor
producers, or program managers.
(E)The final findings
and conclusions of the task force.
(F)Any
recommendations for changes to procedures and policy the task force considers
appropriate.
(3)Not later than 60 days after the receipt of the report
under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional
defense committees the report, together with an evaluation of the report from
the Secretary of Defense and each Secretary of a military department.
(e)
(1)
(A)Each member of the
task force who is a member of the Armed Forces or a civilian officer or
employee of the United States shall serve without compensation (other than
compensation to which entitled as a member of the Armed Forces or an officer or
employee of the United States, as the case may be).
(B)Other members of
the task force shall be appointed in accordance with, and subject to, section
3161 of title 5, United States Code.
(2)The
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, shall
provide oversight of the task force.
(3)The
Washington Headquarters Services of the Department of Defense shall provide the
task force with personnel, facilities, and other administrative support as
necessary for the performance of the duties of the task force.
(f)The
task force shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the final report is
submitted under subsection (d).