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Theses and Dissertations

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Full-Text Articles in Business

Establishing A Foundation To Capture The Cost Of Oversight For A Major Defense Program Within The Information Technology (It) Acquisition Community, Monroe Neal Jr. Mar 2004

Establishing A Foundation To Capture The Cost Of Oversight For A Major Defense Program Within The Information Technology (It) Acquisition Community, Monroe Neal Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

In 1970 the Department of Defense introduced the Department of Defense Directive 5000 (DoD 5000) to standardize the acquisition process. The directive created oversight forums to ensure the policies and procedures created were followed, to track program progress, and to identify programs in trouble. Although oversight was essentially created to help reduce the cost of acquisitions, there is reason to believe that it may increase the costs. However, because only been a few studies have been conducted to estimate the cost of oversight, no one knows how much "oversight" actually costs individual programs. Numerous oversight processes are being used today, …

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An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Active Duty Members, Stephanie M. Skibo Mar 2004

An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Active Duty Members, Stephanie M. Skibo

Theses and Dissertations

There seems to be a widely held belief that different generations have different attitudes toward work, organizations, and co-workers. Clearly, these observed differences have implications for managers and leaders. Actions taken by leaders might be misunderstood by junior organizational members, leading to undesirable outcomes. Considering that many generational groups are represented within the Air Force, there is a need to analyze and understand potential generational differences. With the exception of the Smola and Sutton (2002) study, little empirical research has explored the extent to which these differences actually exist and whether differences exist among Air Force members. This research explores …

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An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Civil Servants, Stacey L. Williams Mar 2004

An Analysis Of Generational Differences Among Civil Servants, Stacey L. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

There seems to be a wide held belief that different generations have different attitudes toward work, organizations, and co-workers. Clearly, these observed differences have implications for managers and leaders. Actions taken by leaders (who are often older) might be misunderstood by junior organizational members (who are often younger), leading to undesirable outcomes (i.e., turnover). Considering that many generational groups are represented within government service, there is a need to analyze and understand potential generational differences. With the notable exception of the Smola and Sutton (2002) study, little empirical research has explored the extent to which these differences actually exist and …

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A Cost Analysis Of The Military Retirement System, Kyle R. Martin Mar 2004

A Cost Analysis Of The Military Retirement System, Kyle R. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores possible changes to the current military retirement system. The research contains a detailed explanation of the current military retirement system and its objectives; a summary of the history and past legislation affecting private sector pension plans and the military retirement system; and a discussion of major analytic studies of the military retirement system since 1969 and their impact on the current system. The costs and benefits of three alternatives to the current system are analyzed using a deterministic and stochastic analysis. These alternatives are based on benefit structure changes not explicitly reducing costs. System restructuring would change …

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Benefits From Funding The Msd Engineering List: A Fiscal Year 1999 Case Study, David L. Gehrich Mar 2004

Benefits From Funding The Msd Engineering List: A Fiscal Year 1999 Case Study, David L. Gehrich

Theses and Dissertations

Every year the Air Force Material Command (AFMC) funds the MSD Engineering list. The projects on the list are submitted by the Air Logistic Centers in order to address problems with the maintainability or reliability of a reparable part. AFMC funds the projects to determine the root cause of the problem and find the best solution to fix the part. Since the MSD Engineering list is funded in order to improve maintainability and reliability, not as a cost savings initiative, the actual benefits gained from the funds spent on the MSD Engineering list have not been identified. This thesis uses …

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Analysis Of The Current Air Force-Specific Status Of Resources And Training System (Sorts) Reporting System, Tia A. Jordan Mar 2004

Analysis Of The Current Air Force-Specific Status Of Resources And Training System (Sorts) Reporting System, Tia A. Jordan

Theses and Dissertations

The status of resources and training system (SORTS) is a process that measures the health of units and wings in day-to-day preparedness and the ability to execute a major theater war or other scenario envisioned in the national security strategy. With talk of the current reporting system not accurately reflecting units readiness, it is time to evaluate the system to identify key problems and re-design the process to better reflect units capabilities. The objective of this thesis was to inform Air Force leadership of the current state of the SORTS system to ensure it was adequate. By surveying current MAJCOM, …

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Comparative Functional Analysis Of Air Force And Commercially Available Transportation Information Management Systems, Patrick S. Holland Mar 2004

Comparative Functional Analysis Of Air Force And Commercially Available Transportation Information Management Systems, Patrick S. Holland

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force currently relies on two transportation information management systems for managing cargo and passenger movements throughout the Defense Transportation System. The two systems are Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES) and Cargo Movement Operations System (CMOS). Although GATES and CMOS have evolved from legacy systems created during the 1980s, both systems are used to process cargo and passengers while providing the information needed to maintain in-transit visibility (ITV) and manage each movement. The purpose of this research is to identify commercially available logistics software packages and determine whether they provide the same functionality as the two Air Force …

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An Analysis Of The Impact Of Base Support Resources On The Availability Of Air Mobility Command Aircraft, Christian E. Randall Mar 2004

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Base Support Resources On The Availability Of Air Mobility Command Aircraft, Christian E. Randall

Theses and Dissertations

The AMC Directorate of Logistics is responsible for ensuring AMC aircraft are available to accomplish the mission. Currently, however, the organization lacks an objective tool for assessing the impact of proposed operations on the health of the fleet, To improve this process, the Directorate has initiated the development of a Mobility Aircraft Availability Forecast (MAAF) simulation model designed to identify alternatives and associated impacts on aircraft availability, manpower, and cost. This research seeks to assist the MAAF development effort by identifying and demonstrating how different base support factors impact the availability of AMC aircraft. To address this research objective, multiple …

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Supply Chain Management In Humanitarian Relief Logistics, William K. Rodman Mar 2004

Supply Chain Management In Humanitarian Relief Logistics, William K. Rodman

Theses and Dissertations

Hundreds of millions of people are affected by disasters each year. This thesis explores the use of supply chain management techniques to overcome the barriers encountered by logistics managers during humanitarian relief operations. Using grounded theory methodology, barriers were analyzed based on academic, organizational, and contemporary literature. Possible solutions to these barriers were selected from available supply chain management literature. This work is different from others in that it marries supply chain principles from different disciplines (including private, nonprofit, and military sectors) to benefit humanitarian operations. It also serves to advance the body of knowledge on this subject so that …

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Prepositioned Trailers For Aircraft Battle Damage Support, Scott M. Murray Mar 2004

Prepositioned Trailers For Aircraft Battle Damage Support, Scott M. Murray

Theses and Dissertations

Air superiority is essential in today's wartime environment. Aircraft that are damaged and not returned to combat can have a considerable impact on the quest for dominance in the air. To maintain operational effectiveness, an organization must have the capability to quickly repair damaged aircraft. The purpose of an Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR) program is to rapidly and effectively repair damaged aircraft to fly additional operational sorties and further contribute to wartime objectives. This capability must consist of providing the necessary tools and equipment for the rapid repair of aircraft. When an ABDR team deploys in support of an …

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Location Optimization Of Continental United States Strip Alert Sites Supporting Homeland Defense, Jon A. Eberlan Mar 2004

Location Optimization Of Continental United States Strip Alert Sites Supporting Homeland Defense, Jon A. Eberlan

Theses and Dissertations

With the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the fall of the Soviet Union, the number of alert aircraft dwindled to 14 aircraft located at 7 sites on September 11, 2001. After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon, the United States could not continue to endorse an outward looking air defense strategy. Terrorism completely changed the landscape of the air defense mission. This research develops a location optimization model to optimally locate alert sites post-11 September to cover areas of interest in the CONUS. The model finds the minimum number of alert sites, minimum …

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A Demand Side Requirements Model To Forecast C-17 Mobility Aircraft Availability, Joseph R. Huscroft Jr. Mar 2004

A Demand Side Requirements Model To Forecast C-17 Mobility Aircraft Availability, Joseph R. Huscroft Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Current aircraft forecasting methods of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Directorate of Logistics are reliant on the experience of personnel and lead to after the fact, labor-intensive analysis. These deficiencies led AMC to the development of a Mobility Aircraft Availability Forecasting (MAAF) model. The purpose of the MAAF model is threefold: predict aircraft availability in order to provide the Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) with a forecast of aircraft that will be available for AMC mission requirements, provide what if capabilities that analyze the effects of tasking and policy changes, and to provide foresight into problems associated with aircraft availability …

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Analysis Of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Behavioral Leadership And Development, Matthew S. Woodruff Mar 2004

Analysis Of Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet Behavioral Leadership And Development, Matthew S. Woodruff

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Army is continually looking for ways to improve the training of its leaders. FM 22-100, Army Leadership: Be, Know, Do (1999), provides the foundation for the Army's leadership training. Its goal is to train leaders who can both accomplish the mission and take care of soldiers and their families. This project investigates how individuals' leadership opinions may vary according to their year in the Reserve Officer Training Corps program and also compared to non-ROTC students of similar academic standing. Does the leadership training implemented in ROTC effect change in leadership opinions from the MS III (junior) to …

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Customer-Focused Business Practice Adoption: A Comparison Of Private And Public Sector Implementations, James P. Swisher Mar 2004

Customer-Focused Business Practice Adoption: A Comparison Of Private And Public Sector Implementations, James P. Swisher

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates a variety of documented cases of customer-focused business practice initiatives to discern common principles of implementation within the private and public sectors. The business practices Quality, Activity-Based Costing (ABC), Customer Profitability Analysis (CPA), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) were found to be the major techniques utilized over the past three decades. Cases were collected which documented implementation of these customer-focused business practices in the private and public sectors. Using grounded theory methodology, the implementations were analyzed for emerging concepts. The concepts uncovered in this study were further analyzed through a comparison of private and public sector implementations. …

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Value-Focused Thinking In The Presence Of Weight Ambiguity: A Solution Technique Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Timothy W. Porter Mar 2004

Value-Focused Thinking In The Presence Of Weight Ambiguity: A Solution Technique Using Monte Carlo Simulation, Timothy W. Porter

Theses and Dissertations

When a Decision Maker is asked to provide his or her preferences, the response represents a snapshot in time. While their preference structure elicited at any given moment may represent their revealed preferences at that point in time, it may change over time. These changing preferences over time represent ambiguity in the decision maker's preferences. Other sources of ambiguity may exist. One weakness of many decision analysis techniques today is the inability to incorporate ambiguity into the basic decision model. The existence of the problem has been known and commented on for many years. This research addresses that problem. It …

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A Decision Support Tool For Thrift Savings Plan Investors, Christopher J. Blanchette Mar 2004

A Decision Support Tool For Thrift Savings Plan Investors, Christopher J. Blanchette

Theses and Dissertations

The Thrift Savings Plan is-the defined contribution retirement plan for federal government employees. It is one of the largest retirement plans in the United States. The plan offers five different investment options: two funds concentrate on government securities and corporate bonds, two funds span the United States stock market, and one fund focuses on international stocks. These funds give investors the opportunity to diversify among a wide range of securities. This thesis examines the funds offered by the plan and creates a portfolio selection tool that uses investor inputs. The tool uses three mathematical models: optimization, based on Markowitz's (1952) …

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Developing Team Cohesion: A Quasi-Field Experiment, John F. Costello Mar 2004

Developing Team Cohesion: A Quasi-Field Experiment, John F. Costello

Theses and Dissertations

Within military organizations, research findings have lent support to the positive influence cohesion has on group performance in combat and non-combat areas, Beyond performance, research findings show that cohesion influences the job satisfaction, and health of military members, particularly under highly stressful conditions, such as those encountered in combat or extended deployments. The purpose of this research effort is to further analyze the strategies that should be used to develop cohesiveness among Air Force members. This was done by testing the extent to which cohesion changed when familiarization and challenging situations were coupled in a technical training course geared towards …

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An Unfolding Model Of Voluntary Turnover Of Air Force Reservists And Air National Guard Members, Jennifer C. Kulick Mar 2004

An Unfolding Model Of Voluntary Turnover Of Air Force Reservists And Air National Guard Members, Jennifer C. Kulick

Theses and Dissertations

Retention is an important issue for every organization due to the high costs of replacing members. This issue is becoming increasing important as the role of guard and reserves has continually increased over the past several years, and so research needs to be conducted on the retention of these groups. Therefore, a web-based questionnaire was administered to Air National Guard and Air Force Reservists from various units and locations. The data from 581 participants was applied to an adapted version of an unfolding model of voluntary turnover originally developed by Lee, Mitchell, Holtom, McDaniel, and Hill in 1999. Data collected …

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Identifying The Benefits Of Knowledge Management In The Department Of Defense: A Delphi Study, David P. Sasser Mar 2004

Identifying The Benefits Of Knowledge Management In The Department Of Defense: A Delphi Study, David P. Sasser

Theses and Dissertations

Knowledge Management (KM) has been identified as one of several enablers of the current Transformation effort in the Department of Defense (DoD). Knowledge management is "the attempt to recognize what is essentially a human asset buried in the minds of individuals, and leverage it into an organizational asset that can be accessed and used by a broader set of individuals on whose decisions the firm depends" (Davenport & Prusak, 1998). The ultimate goal of KM is to take advantage of this knowledge asset in order to provide some level of benefit to the organization (Davenport & Prusak, 1998; Nonaka, 1996). …

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Logistic And Multiple Regression: The Two-Step Approach To Estimating Cost Growth, Daniel C. Genest Mar 2004

Logistic And Multiple Regression: The Two-Step Approach To Estimating Cost Growth, Daniel C. Genest

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to predict cost growth in major Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition programs using logistic and multiple regression. In recent years, the use of statistical regression has proven to be successful in predicting the relationships associated with cost growth. This research follows on the work of Sipple (2002) and Bielecki (2003) and further explores the possibilities of using statistical regression to accurately estimate the dollar value associated with risk and uncertainty early in a program's life cycle. In doing so, the author intends to reduce cost growth by increasing the accuracy of the original cost estimates subsequently used …

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Creating Cost Growth Models For The Engineering And Manufacturing Development Phase Of Acquisition Using Logistic And Multiple Regression, Brandon M. Lucas Mar 2004

Creating Cost Growth Models For The Engineering And Manufacturing Development Phase Of Acquisition Using Logistic And Multiple Regression, Brandon M. Lucas

Theses and Dissertations

Cost growth remains a concern for cost analysts, program managers, senior DoD decision-makers, Congress, and even the American public. All of these people have a vested interest in the cost of DoD programs and most would like to see those costs decrease; as such, we need additional tools to help combat cost growth. Previous research creates the foundation for the use of a two-step methodology to help predict cost growth, which we follow closely. First, utilizing logistic regression we analyze whether specific program characteristics predict cost growth within the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase for combined RDT&E and procurement …

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Estimating Cost Growth In Engineering And Schedule Cost Categories Using A Two-Pronged Regression Approach, Chris J. Mcdaniel Mar 2004

Estimating Cost Growth In Engineering And Schedule Cost Categories Using A Two-Pronged Regression Approach, Chris J. Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

This research confirms the usefulness of the logistic and multiple regression two-step procedure for assessing cost growth in major DoD weapon systems. We compile programmatic data from the Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) between 1990 and 2002 for programs covering all defense departments. Our analysis concentrates on cost growth in the procurement appropriations of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of acquisitions. We investigate the use of logistic regression in cost growth analysis to predict whether or not cost growth will occur in a program. If applicable, multiple regression is implemented to predict how much cost growth will occur. Our study …

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Logistic And Multiple Regression: A Two-Pronged Approach To Accurately Estimate Cost Growth In Major Dod Weapon Systems, Matthew B. Rossetti Mar 2004

Logistic And Multiple Regression: A Two-Pronged Approach To Accurately Estimate Cost Growth In Major Dod Weapon Systems, Matthew B. Rossetti

Theses and Dissertations

This research confirms the usefulness of the logistic and multiple regression two-step procedure for assessing cost growth in major DoD weapon systems. We compile programmatic data from the Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) between 1990 and 2002 for programs covering all defense departments. Our analysis concentrates on cost growth in the procurement appropriations of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of acquisitions. We investigate the use of logistic regression in cost growth analysis to predict whether or not cost growth will occur in a program. If applicable, multiple regression is implemented to predict how much cost growth will occur. Our study …

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An Analysis Of Missile Systems Cost Growth And Implementation Of Acquisition Reform Initiatives Using A Hybrid Adjusted Cost Growth Model, Christopher C. Abate Mar 2004

An Analysis Of Missile Systems Cost Growth And Implementation Of Acquisition Reform Initiatives Using A Hybrid Adjusted Cost Growth Model, Christopher C. Abate

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined cost growth in Department of Defense (DoD) missile systems from 1991 to 2001 using Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) data with a hybrid adjusted cost growth (ACG) model. In addition, an analysis of acquisition reform initiatives during the treatment period was conducted to determine if reform efforts impacted missile system cost growth. A pre-reform (1 January 1991 to 31 December 1996) period and post reform (1 January 1997 to 31 December 2001) period was subjectively developed to compare the mean annual ACG during each period for statistical differences. The hybrid ACG model outlined in this thesis may aid …

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Analysis And Forecasting Of Army Operating And Support Cost For Rotary Aircraft, John C. Hawkins Mar 2004

Analysis And Forecasting Of Army Operating And Support Cost For Rotary Aircraft, John C. Hawkins

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores forecasting techniques to estimate the Cost per Flying Hour (CPFH) for Army Helicopters. Specifically, three separate forecasting techniques were evaluated to better predict the CPFH for better estimating and budgeting by the U.S. Army. For forecasting purposes, actual CPFH figures were compiled from 1995 to 2003 for all MACOMs flying the AH-64A, the CH-47D, and the UH-60A helicopters. The number of MACOMs was then reduced to the top three with regard to total CPFH expenditure. The use of a 3-year moving average, the single exponential smoothing method, and Holt's linear method were explored for each helicopter's data. …

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Analysis And Forecasting Of Air Force Operating And Support Cost For Rotary Aircraft, Matthew E. Laubacher Mar 2004

Analysis And Forecasting Of Air Force Operating And Support Cost For Rotary Aircraft, Matthew E. Laubacher

Theses and Dissertations

This research explores forecasting techniques to estimate the Cost per Flying Hour (CPFH) for Air Force Helicopters. Specifically, this research evaluates three separate forecasting techniques to predict the CPFH for better estimating and budgeting by the U.S. Air Force. It starts by empirically analyzing the Operating and Support cost by CAIG categories for each helicopter. For forecasting purposes, the actual CPFH figures were compiled from FY96 to FY03 for a total of eight MAJCOMs flying the MH-53J/M, the HH-60G, or the UH-1N helicopters. The research explores the use of a 3-year moving average, the single exponential smoothing method, and Holt's …

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An Analysis Of Aircraft Weapon Systems Cost Growth And Implementation Of Acquisition Reform Initiatives Using A Hybrid Adjusted Cost Growth Model, Richard A. Phillips Mar 2004

An Analysis Of Aircraft Weapon Systems Cost Growth And Implementation Of Acquisition Reform Initiatives Using A Hybrid Adjusted Cost Growth Model, Richard A. Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined cost growth in Department of Defense (DoD) aircraft weapon systems from 1991 to 2001 using Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) data with a hybrid adjusted cost growth (ACG) model. In addition, an analysis of acquisition reform initiatives during the treatment period was conducted to determine if reform efforts affected aircraft weapon system cost growth. A "pre-reform" (1 January 1991-31 December 1996) period and a "post reform" (1 January 1997-31 December 2001) period were subjectively developed to compare the mean annual ACG during each period for statistical differences. The hybrid ACG model outlined in this thesis may aid program …

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Comparative Analysis On The Cost Of Oversight For The New National Security Space Acquisition Policy- A Delphi Method Approach, Darrin L. Dereus Mar 2004

Comparative Analysis On The Cost Of Oversight For The New National Security Space Acquisition Policy- A Delphi Method Approach, Darrin L. Dereus

Theses and Dissertations

For the past 50 years, the military's use of space for our national defense has increased exponentially. The use of space has increased so much that recent events have led to the approval for most space Major Defense Acquisition Programs to fall under their own process of oversight to track and monitor these programs. The largest reason for this change is due to the difference in spending profiles and current acquisition regulations that are not structured to meet these space expenditure plans. The key problem is no one knows, for sure, how much the oversight process actually costs and if …

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An Analysis Of Depot Repair Capacity As A Criterion In Transportation Mode Selection In The Retrograde Movement Of Reparable Assets, Harold M. Kahler Mar 2004

An Analysis Of Depot Repair Capacity As A Criterion In Transportation Mode Selection In The Retrograde Movement Of Reparable Assets, Harold M. Kahler

Theses and Dissertations

To support smaller reparable asset inventories, current Air Force supply and transportation policies direct the expedited evacuation of reparables by bases and deployed units to the source of repair. Mode selection is based on the asset. Focusing on the asset and moving it quickly is an efficient and effective method of getting assets to where they are needed in a timely manner in the forward portion of the supply pipeline. However, in the reverse portion of the pipeline, the demand for a particular type of asset may no longer be the most important factor in how it is transported. The …

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Mitigating Growth Cost For Mobility Readiness Spares Packages, Stephen D. Gray Mar 2004

Mitigating Growth Cost For Mobility Readiness Spares Packages, Stephen D. Gray

Theses and Dissertations

A Mobility Readiness Spares Package (MRSP) is an air-transportable package of spare parts configured for rapid deployment in support of conflict or war. Each package is tailored to support a specific scenario, for a specific type and number of aircraft without re-supply for the first 30 days of deployment. Inventory is limited to mission-critical spares. The high cost of airlift and spares drive a necessity to keep MRSPs as small as possible, yet robust enough to meet wartime goals. Historical MRSP inventories exhibit significant volatility and the subsequent growth of their inventory creates significant cost to the Air Force. Annual …

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