Forecasting the Applicability of Aviation Integrated Logistics Support Concepts to the Fleet

Abstract : The Coast Guard's aviation and nonaviation logistics communities are addressing a major management challenge through two system automation projects: the Aviation Maintenance Management Information System (AMMIS) for aviation logistics support and the Systems to Automate and Integrate Logistics (SAIL) for Fleet logistics support. The Coast Guard tasked us to analyze AMMIS to determine whether it or parts of it could equally well provide the nonaviation (Fleet) community with logistics support. We believe that some key aspects of aviation logistics support concepts and their implementation in management structure and business practices are applicable to Fleet logistics support. Our major recommendations are: streamline a technical channel, manage maintenance centrally, relate mission performance to equipment, centralize maintenance reporting and recording, tailor inventory management strategies to critical needs, centrally fund and budget for sustaining support, establish a prime unit for a technical responsiveness link to the field, and streamline configuration change procedures. We also examined the overall environment in which AMMIS is being developed. The following conclusions drawn from analysis of the AMMIS development are directly relevant to the development of SAIL. For each conclusion, we provide a major recommendation. System design is limited by the environment in which it must operate; organizational differences can affect how software applications are utilized; functional managers need to be trained in advanced techniques in order to use the SAIL system effectively; configuration control boards are needed early to monitor functional development. USCG, Integrated Logistics Support, Fleet Logistics Support, Aviation Logistics Support.