Leonardo and His Weapons

Program Manager, July, 2000

DSMC Debuts New Exhibit

DSMC Visual Information Specialist Ed Boyd has re-emerged with still another persona. This year Boyd takes on the identity of Leonardo da Vinci in DSMC's latest exhibit, Leonardo and His Weapons, which debuted at a recent armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association (AFCEA) Convention and Exhibition in Washington, D.C. DSMC's "Man of a Thousand Faces," Boyd has appeared over the years as Santa Claus, Uncle Sam, and Neanderthal Man, among others.

Why Leonardo, some might ask. Because Leonardo da Vinci was not only a great artist, but also a visionary engineering genius with a true gift for designing weapons. During his lifetime he experimented with poisonous missiles, multi-firing weapons, high-explosive artillery, shrapnel bombs, breech-loading guns, water-cooled cannon barrels, rockets with fins, parachutes, life preservers, gliding and lifting techniques for flight, and missile trajectory.

One of the first test and evaluation practitioners, he believed in "test first and state the rule after." Moreover, he designed gears, pulleys, and levers to multiply the effects of human labor in an era that lacked engines.

Leonardo truly encountered many of the same problems defense industry has today -budget, support, program stability, changing technology, and changing threats.

Many of his designs were never built due to construction limitations, lack of propulsion, need for unavailable materials and techniques, and inability to find managers capable of realizing his creations.

Today our warfighters depend on sound acquisition management to provide their weapons. Imagination is not enough. The Defense Systems Management College teaches business skills that bring acquisition projects to life.

DSMC offers education to more than just government employees. Course tuition is free to qualifying defense contractors. Foreign nationals may also be authorized to attend.

Basic courses are available online to DoD acquisition staff. Call the DAU/DSMC Registrar at 1-888-284-4906 or E-mail registrar@dsmc.dsm.mil. View our Catalog at www.dsmc.dsm.mil for classes, research, consulting, and publications, including fee-for-service possibilities.