An Initial Evaluation of the VISION Assessment System: Its Relevance and Application to National-level Sustainment PlanningThis report documents the demonstration of a prototype decision support system for logisticians called the VISION Assessment System, or VAS. The system aims at helping logistics planners evaluate and improve equipment sustainability. To demonstrate the prototype, we developed a scenario involving M1 tanks similar to one that occurred during the buildup phase of Operation Desert Shield. In addition to the standard support concept, we evaluated three other strategies designed to improve tank availability: expedited requisitions, forward-deployed depot repair, and asset prioritization. The evaluation indicated that under the standard support concept the number of operational tanks would decline to unacceptably low levels and that each enhancement strategy improved things, albeit not always to the extent anticipated. Beyond demonstrating that the prototype could address logistical questions, the project illuminated some data and usability issues. A fair amount of the data needed by VAS resides in Army standard systems, but they are not always accessible. Other elements do not exist. Also, although VAS functions, it would require additional work to make it a helpful tool at the everyday working level. |
Contents
THE NEED FOR ENHANCED ASSESSMENT | 6 |
How VAS Might Extend Current Capabilities | 12 |
Support Structure Assumptions | 20 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
AMCCOM analysis Arroyo Center asset balances assumptions backorder battle damage Class IX items combat Command components CONUS CSA's questions data elements database Day of scenario demand rates demonstration prototype deployed force deployed units depot-level maintenance capability DS-plus Dyna-METRIC model echelons enhancements erwise Expedited Processing Expedited requisition processing FEDC Field-Level Asset field-level prototype FMC M1 tanks FMC rate force Nondeployed force Forward Depot forward-deployed depot-level help planners identify improve equipment sustainability information systems logisticians logistics system LRUS M1 tanks percent Materiel ment Military Logistics MSCs national level national-level assets NICPs NSNMDR ongoing Operation Desert Shield operational prototype optempo outputs pipeline planning and assessment potential Prioritized allocation problems Readiness Directorate relevant SIMS-X SPARC Standard Army strategies support concepts support structure Surge Day sustainment planning systemwide TACOM tion U.S. Army unserviceable usability VISION Assessment System weapon system availability