Air Force, DLA put heads together on F-22 parts acquisition

Published Dec. 15, 2006
By Will Daniel
Defense Supply Center Richmond Public Affairs

RICHMOND, Va. -- The general in charge of F-22 Raptor acquisition for the Air Force visited Defense Supply Center Richmond Dec. 11 to see firsthand how Defense Logistics Agency transformation can add value to the F-22 program.

Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore II is the F-22 system program director at Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. It was the first time a director of the F-22 System Program Office had visited DSCR.

The general combined his fact-finding mission here with the opportunity to speak to DSCR's Logistics Officer Association chapter. The James River chapter is the only chapter of that organization designated "joint," all the others being associated with Air Force bases.

"It's been an exciting year as F-22 has gone operational, and DLA will be an important part of the future of this weapon system," General Moore said.

He told the LOA members this is the "year of sustainment" for the F-22. He said the Air Force chief of staff's priorities for the program include "iron on the ramp" (production), and sustainment and modernization. He said production is going well and the aircraft is performing well operationally. The F-22 made history in January when it participated in Operation Noble Eagle, the aircraft's first joint military operation to protect the American homeland.

The general said the F-22 System Program Office is getting ready to enter into a long-term performance-based-logistics contract with Lockheed Martin for much of the aircraft's logistics maintenance.

General Moore heard presentations from key people at DSCR who work with Air Force and F-22 issues. DLA handles parts acquisition for 2,500 national stock numbers associated with the stealth fighter aircraft, according to Patrick Mapes, F-22 weapons system support manager here.

"I would expect that list to grow as the F-22 matures and the F-35 (Lightning, Joint Strike Fighter) comes on board," General Moore said.

Much of the DLA transformation the general said impressed him deals with demand planning and forecasting of requirements. Under older, legacy systems, forecasting was done mainly by looking back at historical requirements. Using new systems fielded since DLA's 2002 Business Systems Modernization initiative, customers and DLA demand planners can use a set of tools known as Demand Data Exchange that allows customers to interact with DLA and provide forward-looking demand change information.

"It's worth mentioning that as the director I'm pleased with the changes in systems at DLA," General Moore said. "DLA has been leading the way in changing processes, and that is going to be very important in our performance-based logistics plan."

In addition to better demand forecasting, DSCR, as DLA's aviation supply and demand chain manager, is in the process of standing up detachments at Air Force, Army and Navy aviation depots, said Rear Adm. Mark Heinrich, DSCR commander. This will allow transfers of parts ownership from DLA to the services "right on the depot floor," the admiral said.

"The F-22 weapon system has already proved itself, but we still have a ways to go to make it the most available aircraft for the combatant commanders," General Moore said. "DLA is an important part of this enterprise. We're looking at maturing the relationship between the system program office, prime vendor, DLA and the depots. All those people are key players.

"My hat is off to Admiral Heinrich and the entire team for tremendous progress they've made in transforming from wholesale management to a customer-focused retail management process," General Moore said. "I'm very encouraged that they will help our (performance-based-logistics) plan proceed with Lockheed as the product support integrator."

The general added that he was surprised to learn of the progress DLA has made in transformation.

"I've been in this (acquisition) business for 16 years, and it's remarkable to see the change in DLA," the general said. "They bring true value to the F-22 enterprise. I can't stress enough the importance of DLA in the partnership. I'm very grateful for what the DLA team has done because I know that they are going to be a fully integrated key player."

Admiral Heinrich said he truly appreciates General Moore's support.

"I am honored to have hosted General Moore today," the admiral said. "He is helping us pave the way to a mutually beneficial, long-lasting partnership with the F-22 Raptor program and its industry partners. As the Raptor matures and enters the global war on terrorism, our support to the program will mature as well and help keep it flying and fighting for the combatant commanders."

DSCR is the aviation supply and demand chain manager for the Defense Logistics Agency and serves within the Defense Department as the primary source of supply for more than 1.2 million repair parts and operating supply items.