An analysis of depot level repairables carcass management and position controls under the Advanced Traceability and Control (ATAC) program

Abstract

Repairables are components andor sub assemblies which can be repaired if they become unserviceable. Repairables are typically high cost, long procurement leadtime items. Because of these characteristics, significant economies can be achieved by repairing these items rather than discarding them when they become unserviceable. Historically, these carcasses have been difficult to manage because, when they broke, maintenance personnel were primarily concerned with replacing them with ready-for-issue units; what happened to the carcass was of little concern. Defense Management Review Decision (DMRD) 901's objective to reduce supply system costs includes an initiative to achieve savings by retaining retrograde carcasses returned from the fleet at the first turn-in point rather than shipping them immediately to the repair depot or designated storage site. This thesis analyzes the operation of the ATAC Program to determine a 'ship or hold' decision for returned carcasses. A thorough study of ATAC's background, current management controls and operating procedures, and results from previous studies were combined with on-site hub observations to show how and why the ATAC system works. Because of ATAC, the DMRD 901 initiative to retain carcasses at their first turn-in point is not cost effective except for those items experiencing rapid phase-out or numerous upgrades. Detailed indicators to measure and monitor ATAC cost and performance effectiveness need to be implemented.