DOE News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2000

Army Announces Expansion of Successful INEEL Armor Project

Army Col. James Moran announced today that the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory's highly-successful tank armor project will be expanded. The Specific Manufacturing Capability project at the INEEL will begin producing side armor packages for the Army's M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks beginning this fall, increasing the current $50 million budget for the INEEL project by $3.5 million, and adding 20 new jobs.

Moran, Army Program Manager for the Abrams Tank System, made the announcement at a dedication of an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank, which is on loan to INEEL as recognition of Site employees' performance and dedication to the program. "I wanted an M1 tank placed here in Idaho to signify the importance of this facility to the Army and to thank the employees who have done a great job over the years building armor to protect our young men and women on the front lines," said Moran.

"Today's announcement is reinforcement for the good work of INEEL employees," said Beverly Cook, manager of the Department of Energy's Idaho Operations Office. "It is a fitting reward for years of doing the job right the first time."

Bernie Meyers, president of INEEL contractor BWXT LLC., said the addition of the side armor work is testimony to the strong performance of INEEL employees in the past, and the faith the Army has in their ability to continue to meet exacting demands. "The SMC project has produced over 3,000 armor packages -- all of them on-time and within budget, with 100 percent quality acceptance by the Army," said Meyers. "We expect to continue to meet that high standard."

The SMC project was established at the INEEL's Test Area North in 1984, with the first armor packages produced in 1986. The armor packages provided outstanding protection for tanks deployed during the Gulf War, as well as in other conflicts. The SMC project, which occupies a facility originally built in the 1950s as a hangar for a nuclear powered-aircraft, has a current budget of $50 million, and employs about 250 people.

"These tanks are critical to the Army's operations and national defense, and I'm pleased we can contribute to their success," said Cook. "We are extremely grateful to the Army for dedicating this tank to our employees and it will serve as a visible reminder of the end product of the quality work done here."

Col. Moran presented a plaque that will be displayed next to the tank during today's ceremony. The inscription reads:

"There must be, within our Army, a sense of purpose ... A willingness to march a little farther, to carry a heavier load, to step into the dark and unknown for the safety and well-being of others."

General Creighton Abrams

Dedicated to the personnel of SMC that allow the Army to go safely a little farther into the dark unknown.

--INEEL-

Media contacts:
John Walsh, (208) 526-8646, jhw@inel.gov

Brad Bugger, (208) 526-0833, buggerbp@id.doe.gov

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