Logistics Support Costs for the B-1B Aircraft Can Be Reduced.
Abstract
While the Air Force's logistics support planning for the B-1 bomber has been extensive, the inadequacy of the logistics data developed during research and development of the B-1B's predecessor--the B-1A--and the concurrent development and production schedule necessitated by a congressional mandate that the aircraft be operational not later than 1987 have forced Air Force planners to make logistics support decisions before they had sufficient data to support them. This has increased the risk that operating and support costs will be more than they would have been had normal Defense development procedures been employed before starting production. GAO has identified opportunities to reduce these costs which should be considered. They are: (1) combining the purchase of investment spares (components that can be repaired and reused) with the purchase of production components; (2) buying spares directly from the manufacturers instead of through the four B-1B contractors; (3) reducing the number of bases from four to three; and (4) centralizing all avionics maintenance repair at the B-1B airframe and engine depot repair facility and not establishing any repair shops at the planned B-1B bases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA145846
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office