An Analysis of Depot Repair Capacity as a Criterion in Transportation Mode Selection in the Retrograde Movement of Reparable Assets
Abstract
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 quantity of the asset at the depot pipeline may already exceed the repair shops capacity. In such an instance, the rapid movement of an asset to the depot, results in the asset being added to the backlog of items already awaiting repair. The focus should shift to the capacity to repair the asset. Since the depots have budget and manning constraints and do not operate on 24-hour shifts, 365 days a year, their capacity to fix reparable assets is limited. With finite repair resources, the question of when an asset can be repaired should be involved in mode determination. This thesis will evaluate current Air Force retrograde transportation mode selection policy. Using Warner Robins Air Logistics Center reparable asset production data, this thesis will compare depot pipeline inventory for a random sample of reparable assets against the depot's repair capacity. If depot pipeline quantity is greater than the depot repair rate, then use of premium transportation is inappropriate, unless it is the lowest cost mode. The difference in cost between the mode used and the alternate mode will demonstrate the potential savings of using depot repair capacity as a determinant of mode selection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA422882
Entities
People
- Harold M. Kahler
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology