Army to get new leader for electronic warfare programs

The Army’s primary program office for electronic warfare and sensors is getting a new boss.

In a Feb. 19 press release from the Department of Defense, the Pentagon announced Col. (Promotable) Robert Collins will talke the helm as the program executive officer for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors. Collins currently serves as the assistant program executive officer, a role he has held since August.

Collins will take over for Maj. Gen. Kirk Vollmecke, who has been in the job since 2016.

Among the programs and capabilities assigned to the IEW&S portfolio are the Electronic Warfare Planning and Management Tool (which according to Army budget documents from last year, Y2019 base procurement dollars include $5.875 million), Multi-Function Electronic Warfare Air Large (which Lockheed Martin recently received a contract valued at $18 million), position, navigation and timing systems and the Distributed Common Ground System – Army.

Collins has served as project manager for the Army’s Distributed Common Ground System, a position he assumed June 2014. Previously he was product manager for Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increments 2 and 3.

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Collins earned his bachelor degree and military commission at Shippensburg University. He holds masters degrees from Webster University and Oklahoma University.

It is not immediately clear when he will take command.

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