Idea saves Air Force $10K

  • Published
  • By Ashley M. Wright
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE,Fla. --  An Air Force Research Laboratory employee found a way to save the Air Force more than $10,000 and even earned a little bonus for his effort June 22. 

His idea to switch to a less-expensive firing cable was approved and put into practice through the Air Force's Innovation Development through Employee Awareness.

The IDEA program offers a way for people to contribute their IDEAs on how to do things more efficiently and effectively. This program is a customer-oriented program that allows for submission, evaluation and cash or non-cash recognition for approved IDEAs.

The high voltage firing cables used by Mark Johnson , Munitions Directorate explosive technician, cost $174.92 per 100 feet or $1.75 per foot. The annual usage of the cable was approximately 6,520 feet of cable equaling more than $11,400 per year.

The cable is used as the final link to the explosive inside the dynamics chamber connecting the explosive charge to the firing system and used with the detonator that will go into any type of explosive tested at an AFRL facility here, according to Mr. Johnson. The former Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician proposed using a similar type of wire that costs $0.11 per foot.

"I had used the cable while on active duty on range missions with no problems," he said. "After researching it more, I found the manufacturer of the detonators we used recommends and manufactures the cable as a low cost connection to the explosive change."

For his money saving idea, Mr. Johnson received a check for $1,599.

"The complete process took approximately six months, but once approved I found the monetary award in my next pay check," he said. "I never really expected cash. At most I thought I would receive a nice certificate thanking me for my participation in the IDEA program."

Mr. Johnson plans to use the money towards purchasing something for his motorcycle and "enter of the world of Blu-ray technology" by getting something for his home entertainment.

Ideas are submitted at https://ipds.randolph.af.mil. For questions and additional information, contact Marlene Suarez, Eglin IDEA manager, at 882-5168.