Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for Integrating Maintenance and Sustainment Program Requirements Through an Asset’s Lifecycle – Phase III
NCMS Project #: 140886
Problem: Through a standardized approach to engineering and logistics, and having a defined set of product data deliverables (PLI) for merchandise and other goods translates into reduced prices for goods and services for the general public. Similar to commercial industry, the Air Force has its own PLM initiative called PLM-CI (Product Lifecycle Management Capability Initiative). It is part of the Air Force Logistics Information Technology (Log IT) modernization effort. PLM-CI is an effort to deliver an Enterprise Defense Business System (DBS) chartered to improve Air Force logistics and engineering through the lifecycle of a product.
Benefit: PLM is fast becoming one of the most areas in manufacturing companies for improving business performance. Maintaining an optimized, single approach with a company enables pooled employees to use a single process across multiple platforms instead of using a unique approach for each product. The Air Force will benefit by having a defined set of PLI for each product made instead of a loose set of requirements for delivering product data for each weapon system.
Solution/Approach: The Air Force has used CTMA to design, develop and deploy a template that discovered the “Art of the Possible” as concerns early acquisition use of PLM tools. The objective of this project is to finalize the design and implementation rules established by the Air Force PLM-CI as a surrogate to industry to improve maintenance and sustainment support thus reducing operational costs and for the military, increasing warfighter readiness. The template must be tested with another program and vetted by the Air Force subject matter experts for deployment across the broader Air Force, DoD and industry.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Reduced maintenance burden
- Reduced costs
- Improved decision support, lifecycle management and resource management
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Air Force PLM-CI Integrated Program Office (IPO)
- U.S. Air Force Ground Based Strategic Deterrence (GBSD) Program Office
Industry Participation:
- Siemens
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Repair turn-around time
- Maintenance avoidance and reliability
- Maintenance management improvement
- Improved readiness
Focus Area:
- Enhanced Inspection