Selecting Production Site for Army's New Main Battle Tank

The process the Army used to select Lima, Ohio, as the production site for its new main battle tank, the XM-1, was thorough, unbiased, and sound.

The Army first obtained site studies from the potential producers of the XM-1 tanks, validated the studies, and then reviewed the data along with that provided by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Army's site selection process was, in turn, evaluated by an outside consultant. Finally, non-Government representatives analyzed and assessed the alternative sites. The decision to produce the XM-1 in Lima is sound based on the following assumptions: that there is a valid requirement for 3,312 XM-1 tanks; that the XM-1 full-scale engineering development phase will be a success; that production of the M-60 tanks must continue, without interference, through 1981; and that the first XM-1s must be delivered in February 1980. If the assumptions change, production of M-60 and XM-1 tanks at the Detroit, Michigan, plant could be feasible. Despite changes occurring in the XM-1 development, delaying site selection until the Army gets more information about the XM-1 is not essential. If site selection were delayed, the initial delivery date would be missed because preparing a tank factory is a lengthy process.