Decision-Support Technologies for Weapon System Sustainment Processes and Life Cycle Investment

ABSTRACT: The overall objective of this effort is to develop technologies that extend sustainment modeling and simulation capabilities to support improved investment decisions throughout the weapon system lifecycle. Specifically, the main objective of this proposed Phase I research effort is to develop the concept for a new simulation capability that enhances, combines and integrates simulation tools to provide an effective capability to model multiple processes and factors. Frontier Technology, Inc. (FTI) will identify the new simulation capabilities and requirements, and show how they can be integrated with existing capabilities to provide a holistic, integrated concept for sustainment simulation. FTI proposes to develop innovative enhancements to existing models and simulations as much as possible to leverage existing capabilities and ensure development that is more efficient. In addition, FTI proposes to develop an innovative integration infrastructure that combines the capabilities of these models to provide the holistic sustainment simulation capability sought. FTI proposes to accomplish this in a two-pronged approach: 1) develop innovative enhancements to existing simulation capability; and 2) develop an innovative sustainment modeling infrastructure that can serve as the basis for an integrated capability with other sustainment models and tools. BENEFIT: This research is applicable to DoD and commercial industries employing complex maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and supply chain management (SCM) systems. These organizations must all adapt to the integration and use of simulation technologies to make their processes more efficient than they currently are. The solution that these organizations will seek must address the analysis problems of sustainment that can be adaptable, flexible, and easily integrated into existing models, and management and data systems. This capability must be able to be implemented within the confines of the available budget and to preclude operational impacts that could jeopardize mission readiness, as well as the financial bottom line. A sustainment simulation tool suite that will accurately assess sustainment issues and conditions and enable rapid determination of optimal repair processes across the organization will enable users to operate their repair processes more efficiently compared to current capabilities, as they try to keep their fleets serviceable and safe, while minimizing operational costs.