Aging Systems

Obsolescence deals with the process or condition by which a piece of equipment becomes no longer useful, or a form and function no longer current, or available for production or repair.

 

Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) is the loss or impending loss of the last known manufacturer or supplier of raw material, production parts or repair parts.

 

Continuous Modernization is a process by which state-of-the-art technologies are inserted continuously into weapon systems to increase reliability, lower sustainment costs, and increase the war fighting capability of a system to meet evolving customer requirements throughout an indefinite service life.

 

Technology Insertion, sometimes also referred to as Technology Transition, is the process of applying critical technology in military systems to provide an effective weapons and support system-in the quantity and quality needed by the warfighter to carry out assigned missions and at the "best value" as measured by the warfighter.

 

Lead-Free Electronics/ Solder is an issue which has arisen in large part as a result of a European Union directive which, among other things, results in the elimination of the use of lead (Pb) in electronic components. This environmental initiative raises some very real concerns related to reliability and maintainability of high tech weapon systems, as well as potential logistics issues related to configuration management, parts management, and cataloging.

 

DMSMS and Obsolescence guidance can be found in para 4.3 of the Performance Based Logistics: A Program Manager's Product Support Guide. Technology Refreshment and Obsolescence guidance can also be found in para 5.2.1.5 of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook. All three subjects are discussed in multiple instances in Designing and Assessing Supportability in DOD Weapon Systems: A Guide to Increased Reliability and Reduced Logistics Footprint dated 24 Oct 03.