Study to Improve Post Production Planning in the Department of Defense for the Director for Maintenance Policy

摘要

The initial focus of the study was the improvement of weapon system PPS planning. It quickly became obvious, however, that real progress was also dependent on many other factors. The scope was therefore broadened to a general management perspective, with an overall objective to attain PPS weapon readiness levels through economical logistic support. A second scoping issue involves the possible restriction to post production unique issues. Such a restriction could result in few, if any, issues because of wide variation in weapon system production time frames. Rather, an attempt was made to restrict the study from the front end by avoiding issues currently addressed under Acquisition Support Planning. The last scoping issue involves the point at which post production planning should normally begin. This is still an open issue. There is significant concern in Congress and in the DOD about the readiness and out-year support costs of weapon systems in the PPS time frame. The extended service life of many major systems is creating new strains on the defense logistics system. The Minuteman missile, for example, with an original design life of 10 years, is now expected to be in the inventory for approximately 30 to 40 years. Approximately half of its original parts are no longer in production.