Alternatives To Consider in Planning Integrated Logistics Support for the Trident Submarine

Gao ID: LCD-79-415 September 28, 1979

The Trident submarine's Integrated Logistics Support plan was developed to sustain the Trident by having submarines on patrol 70 days and being able to deliver 24 missiles to their assigned targets. Trident's operational cycle renders it more available than the present fleet ballistic missile submarines. The Trident cycle consists of a 70-day patrol followed by a 25-day refit and test period and is to continue for 9 years. The Integrated Logistics Support plan includes collecting and retaining information on equipment, maintenance tasks, repair parts, and critical Trident components. This process is known as Logistics Support Analysis (LSA). It is essential to defining support requirements, predicting logistics costs, and evaluating logistics alternatives.

Due to an inadequately executed Logistics Support Analysis process, implementation of the supply support plan has been delayed. Similar delays in the submarine's delivery lessened the impact of the support plan delay on the overall Trident program. The supply support plan does not use the most accurate data to develop estimates on the reliability of Trident's components. Nor has the Trident Logistics Support Analysis process had sufficient information to select equipment and evaluate logistics alternatives early in the program. It is not too late for Navy logistics planners to consider other, more accurate, methods for supplying the submarine. Trident crews can be assigned more efficiently. Currently, the Navy assigns two crews to each fleet ballistic missile submarine. One crew operates the submarine while the other crew is in port. The Trident submarine staffing plan calls for a similar assignment of two crews to each submarine; instead, it is suggested that five crews be assigned to three submarines.

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