Case Studies of the Air Force Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) Acquisition Management Process,

摘要

This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of Air Force Policies and procedures for acquiring support equipment, and to develop recommendations for change. The study approach included two principal tasks: (1) the preparation of procedural flowcharts depicting the support equipment acquisition process; and (2) the analysis of a cross-section of support equipment acquisitions against the background of current policies and procedures. Eight defense systems were selected for study: F-15, A-10, RPV, AIMS, 485L, AF SATCOM, DSP and MMIII. From among those systems, the acquisition of 76 items of support equipment was reviewed in detail. The principal objective of those reviews was to determine (1) the extent to which policy has been implemented; and (2) the degree to which policy and implementing procedures are achieving their intended purpose. This study indicates that acquisition policies are sound and comprehensive, and that acquisition procedures are reasonably effective for all types of support equipment except complex electronic test equipment. The Air Force support equipment acquisition process has improved in recent years. Six systems were using similar procedures instead of each having a unique procedure as found in previous studies. The use of similar procedures has improved communications among supporting offices. Some important improvements were noted in drawer/component standardization and in new standardization data bases.