MV-22 Supply Chain Agility: A Static Supply Chain Serving a Dynamic Deployment

Abstract

NPS NRP Executive Summary ; Project Summary: The U.S. Marine Corps prides itself on the ability to successfully operate within a dynamic environment in an expedient and expeditious manner. To achieve power projection requirements, high states of aircraft, vessel, equipment, and personnel readiness are to be preserved. No small accomplishment, this burden lies heavily on supply professionals and the agility of the supply network in support of operating forces. Supply Chain Management (SCM) must cultivate dynamic supply chains, fluid as the maneuver units they support. Though military action is reactive at times, proactive preparations foster an ability to increase momentum and gain the initiative. SCM should also adopt a proactive mindset, forecasting readiness requirements through critical and balanced consideration. The purpose of this quantitative research is to assess the supply chain network of a deployed Multi- Mission Vertical and/or Short Takeoff and Landing (MV-22) Osprey squadron, discover inefficiencies that exist, and make recommendations to increase supply chain productivity. Specifically, this study takes advantage of Microsoft Excel and Big Data (BD) techniques to sort through structured and unstructured data. Collaboration with the Department of the Navy (DoN) for requirements and attaining data sets will permit the application of Excel and Lexical Link Analysis (LLArelationships between given data sets. Extraction of variables such as response times and aircraft part), a text-mining software, to deriveavailability will measure SCM strengths and draw attention to deficiencies. Interpreted relationships helps determine opportunities, shortfalls, and favorable and unfavorable conditions within the organizational and intermediate maintenance levels of the Osprey supply chain. The results observed will be the basis forsupply chain improvement recommendations and assist with enhancing DoN SCM productivity. ; Research POC Name: CAPT Eric ; NPS-18-N026-B ; Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.