Operational Energy Metrics: Increasing Flexibility While Reducing Vulnerability

摘要

This paper investigates the fully burdened cost of fuel as it relates to the procurement of warfighting systems. Areas of specific inspection include reducing theater fuel transportation requirements to forward-operating bases; reducing fuel needs with more efficient living and work environments; adding energy-efficiency key performance parameter requirements for DoD warfighting acquisitions; assessing the potential influence on operational effectiveness and force structure; and examining the second- and third-order effects across the three DoD Decision Support Systems--requirements, budget, and acquisition--colloquially referred to as the 'Big A.' 14. ABSTRACT Properly applied, operational-energy metrics can increase operational flexibility for the Joint Force Commander. Operational-energy metrics are sufficiently mature for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to mandate their use as a key performance parameter for all acquisition programs and new increments of fuel- consuming systems. 'Big A' acquisition provides the Department the prospect of seizing the opportunity to reset equipment more efficiently, shift a portion of the logistics tail to increase combat force structure, and improve force effectiveness.