Enabling a transforming army at war: analysis to improve logistics network efficiency and effectiveness

This paper introduces and summarizes a comprehensive systems approach guiding an ongoing project addressing these significant challenges confronting logistics transformation. Currently sponsored by the Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), this project involves several supporting organizations both within and external to the army and DOD. Although initially focused on aviation-specific Class IX (spare parts and components) as a test bed, the goal is to develop a prototype that will provide the foundational "analytical architecture" to support, guide and accelerate army logistics transformation. Conditions which motivate this research and analysis include (1) the changed nature of our geopolitical landscape resulting in the army's transition to a "capabilities-based" force, (2) the opportunity to consider, adapt and extend, where appropriate, integrating "supply chain" design, management and analysis concepts that have been driven by increasing competition in the corporate world, and (3) the enabling potential of information technology.