Evaluating the Combat Payoff of Alternative Logistics Structures for High-technology Subsystems
Evaluating the Combat Payoff of Alternative Logistics Structures for High-technology Subsystems

Author: Morton B. Berman

Publisher:

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 92

ISBN-13:

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This report identifies and evaluates alternative logistics structures that better support high-technology subsystems used by major U.S. Army weapon systems. It uses a new methodology to examine combat logistics structures. The report begins with a base case in which one set of M-1 tank test equipment is located in each Forward Support Battalion. It uses RAND's Dyna-METRIC model to assess the costs and benefits of alternative logistics structures relative to this base case. The alternative logistics structures were selected to examine the influence of different structural characteristics: (1) consolidating test equipment and personnel at higher echelons to increase responsiveness to variations in demand at lower echelons; (2) decentralizing test equipment and personnel to maneuver battalions to increase battalion unity of command; (3) varying the amounts of test equipment and personnel to examine the effect on repair queues; and (4) increasing the spare parts distribution system's responsiveness. The authors conclude that the Army must either increase the responsiveness of its logistics structures or invest inordinate amounts in inventories to prevent losses in combat capability.

Evaluations of Alternative Maintenance Structures
Evaluations of Alternative Maintenance Structures

Author: John B. Abell

Publisher: RAND Corporation

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13:

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To evaluate the Air Force's two-levels-of-maintenance concept for avionics, RAND advised those managing the demonstration and conducted independent evaluations of the alternative maintenance structures.

Selected Rand Abstracts
Selected Rand Abstracts

Author: Rand Corporation

Publisher:

Published: 1988

Total Pages: 104

ISBN-13:

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Includes Reports (R-series), Rand Memorandums (RM-series), papers (P-series), and Books.

The Concept of Operations for a U.S. Army Combat-oriented Logistics Execution System with VISION (Visibility of Support Options)
The Concept of Operations for a U.S. Army Combat-oriented Logistics Execution System with VISION (Visibility of Support Options)

Author: Robert S. Tripp

Publisher:

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13:

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This report describes a concept of operations for a decision support system intended to assist field- and wholesale-level logisticians to prioritize repair and distribution actions for high-technology reparable items. The system recognizes that uncertainties will cause imbalances between requirements for high-tech components and their availability in both peacetime and wartime, and enables logisticians to adjust their actions to compensate for unanticipated events. The system maximizes the probability of achieving specific weapon system availability goals over a given short-term horizon with available resources. Initial investigations have shown that a logistics system that couples responsive repair and distribution capabilities with such a decision support system could significantly improve weapon system availability over the current system using the same amount of stock and repair resources. The Army has developed plans to field-test the concept, which it refers to as the Readiness-Based Maintenance System (RBMS). RBMS has been incorporated as an element of the Strategic Logistics Program, which is aimed at modernizing the Army's Logistics Information Systems.

Supporting Combined-arms Combat Capability with Shared Electronic Maintenance Facilities
Supporting Combined-arms Combat Capability with Shared Electronic Maintenance Facilities

Author: William G. Wild

Publisher:

Published: 1990

Total Pages: 68

ISBN-13:

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The U.S. Army shows signs of shifting away from using "weapon-system-specific" test diagnostic equipment and toward using more broadly capable versions of equipment that can isolate faults within subsystems and components from a number of different weapon systems (e.g., the proposed integrated family of test equipment, IFTE). As a result, weapon systems that once had uncontested access to specialized test equipment will now be relying on a common facility, and, hence, their availabilities will become linked. This study focuses on two systems--the M1 tank and M2/M3 Bradley fighting vehicle--that are linked through a common reliance on direct support electrical systems test set (DSESTS) test equipment. The author finds that greater weapon system availability and more robust support may be attainable at constant cost by emphasizing resources that are fungible across weapon systems, such as test equipment and improved theater transportation for selected high-priority items. The report also demonstrates a multiple weapon systems methodology that is instrumental in identifying such potential improvements.

An Evaluation of the VISION Execution System Demonstration Prototypes
An Evaluation of the VISION Execution System Demonstration Prototypes

Author: Patricia M. Boren

Publisher:

Published: 1991

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13:

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This report describes the prototype development for a U.S. Army combat-oriented logistics execution system with VISION (Visibility of Support Options). The Army calls this system the Readiness-Based Maintenance System (RBMS). RBMS prioritizes repair and distribution of spare parts by maximizing the probability of meeting unit-level weapon system availability goals. The report discusses the feasibility, effectiveness, and usability of RBMS through the use of analytic demonstration prototypes. It outlines the methodology behind RBMS and describes the outputs it produces. It then presents findings on RBMS's potential value for the Army, describes the input data requirements and the availability of usable data in present Army data systems, and discusses evaluation results of the demonstration prototypes. Finally, the report presents prospective users' evaluations of the perceived usefulness of the system and suggestions for its improvement.

Performance-oriented Logistics Assessment (POLA)
Performance-oriented Logistics Assessment (POLA)

Author: J. H. Bigelow

Publisher:

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 198

ISBN-13:

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Performance-Oriented Logistics Assessment (POLA) has developed a prototype methodology to help build the logistics portion of the Army five-year program. The POLA methodology estimates both the costs and the effects on combat performance of alternative logistics improvements. By comparing their costs and effects on combat performance, one can arrive at a balanced program that provides greater combat effectiveness for each logistics dollar spent. This report briefly reviews the POLA methodology and its uses.