Life Cycle Management of Bahraini Amiri Air Force F-16 Aircraft

摘要

This thesis presents a general scheme for implementing Life Cycle Management (LCM) in the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) and Bahrain Amiri Air Force (BAAF), with special attention paid to LCM issues for the F16 weapon system. The current situation of Bahrain, as well as the history and current challenges facing the BAAF in managing its F16's, are presented. Those challenges are to reduce the Total Ownership Cost (TOC) of the F16 fleet to the bare minimum without disturbing the defensive posture of the BDF and BAAF. The related concepts of LCM, TOC, and Reduction in Total Ownership (R-TOC) are discussed in general, and also in the context of the BAAF F16 force. A feasible method of applying these methods to the BAAF's current situation is then presented in the form of recommended policies, procedures, roles, and responsibilities. Processes and procedures for use by both the BAAF and its suppliers in the management of resources are also recommended. These address all phases of the F16 life cycle (development, deployment operation, maintenance, management and retirement). The advantages associated with developing data and management systems for identification and tracking of the Total Ownership Cost (TOC) of the BAAF F16 are likewise emphasized. They allow management to make effective trade-off decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of modifications and upgrades. To demonstrate the method, an assessment of BAAF F16 Operations and Support (O&S) costs are also provided, with some of the data being generic and unclassified. Analysis of these data suggests significant cost savings to the BAAF are possible through changes in operational and support procedures, and specifically, through consolidation of support operations, elimination of some functions and consolidation of others.