CAD/PAD, All Types

The CAD/PAD, All Types program is a critical Army procurement line item focused on the acquisition of Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD) and Propellant Actuated Devices (PAD) for rotary-wing Army aircraft. These devices are essential safety components that enable aircraft escape, fire suppression, and jettison systems. The program's primary objective is to ensure the continuous availability and timely replacement of these safety-critical items, which are subject to strict shelf and service life limitations. Funding supports operational, training, and test requirements in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 3000.04 and Army Regulation 5-13, ensuring readiness for both war reserve and peacetime missions.

The procurement of CAD/PADs is managed by the Navy Contracting Center in Mechanicsburg, PA, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Indian Head, reflecting a joint-service approach to acquisition. The program covers a wide range of devices, including shielded detonation cords, canopy egress assemblies, initiator cartridges, fire bottle cartridges, stores release cartridges, thruster assemblies, hoist cutter cartridges, cable cutter assemblies, and Chinook-specific impulse cartridges. Each device is procured based on detailed analysis of Army aircraft inventory, maintenance cycles, and projected expiration dates. This approach ensures that no aircraft is grounded due to expired or unavailable CAD/PADs.

The budget request for this line item reflects an increase from previous years due to rising costs associated with linear CADs, particularly those used on the AH-64 Apache. This increase is largely attributed to the closure of a major inspection facility, which previously provided most of the required Neutron Radiography (N-Ray) inspection capacity. The remaining supplier, having acquired the closed facility, now holds a monopoly, resulting in higher unit costs. This situation underscores the program's objective to mitigate supply chain risks by developing additional sources and expanding the industrial base. This tri-service effort aims to increase competition and reduce both cost and schedule risk.

EA0003 / CAD/PAD, All Other is the principal subline within this budget item, encompassing the majority of CAD/PAD types required for Army aviation. The program's goals for this subline include meeting Title 10 war reserve and operational requirements, supporting individual and collective training for both Active and Reserve Components, and fulfilling test requirements for munitions development and safety assurance. The procurement strategy employs multi-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts to stabilize pricing and reduce annual cost fluctuations, while also pursuing second-source initiatives to alleviate single-point failures in the supply chain.

The justification for this line item is rooted in statutory and regulatory mandates, including requirements for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities. The program is also aligned with Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)-approved Combatant Commander Operational Plans and other OSD-directed missions. The Army's procurement plan is designed to ensure that CAD/PADs are available for mandatory time-change procedures, thereby maintaining fleet readiness and avoiding mission degradation.

Procurement planning takes into account numerous variables, such as aircraft inventory, maintenance cycles, shelf and install life, procurement lead times, and actual expenditures. The quantities and types of CAD/PADs procured may vary annually based on these factors. The program also funds hardware analysis and production engineering, with the NSWC Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division providing technical support. This ensures that all procured items meet stringent safety and performance specifications.