Integrated logistics support (ILS) is an integrated approach to the management of logistic disciplines in the military, similar to commercial product support

Product support

Product support is a service provided by many retailers of various products, primarily electronics, that provides the end-user with a resource for information regarding the product, and help if the product should malfunction...

 or customer service

Customer service

Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase.According to Turban et al. , “Customer service is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction – that is, the feeling that a product or service has met the customer...

 organisations. Although originally developed for military purposes, it is applied by the private sector as well.

In general, ILS plans and directs the identification and development of logistics

Logistics

Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...

 support and system requirements for military systems, with the goal of creating systems that last longer and require less support, thereby reducing costs and increasing return on investment

Return on investment

Return on investment is one way of considering profits in relation to capital invested. Return on assets , return on net assets , return on capital and return on invested capital are similar measures with variations on how “investment” is defined.Marketing not only influences net profits but also...

s. ILS therefore, addresses these aspects of supportability not only during acquisition, but also throughout the operational life cycle of the system. The impact of ILS is often measured in terms of metrics such as reliability

Reliability engineering

Reliability engineering is an engineering field, that deals with the study, evaluation, and life-cycle management of reliability: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time. It is often measured as a probability of...

, availability

Availability

In telecommunications and reliability theory, the term availability has the following meanings:* The degree to which a system, subsystem, or equipment is in a specified operable and committable state at the start of a mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown, i.e., a random, time...

, maintainability

Maintainability

In engineering, maintainability is the ease with which a product can be maintained in order to:* isolate defects or their cause* correct defects or their cause* meet new requirements* make future maintenance easier, or* cope with a changed environment...

 and testability

Testability

Testability, a property applying to an empirical hypothesis, involves two components: the logical property that is variously described as contingency, defeasibility, or falsifiability, which means that counterexamples to the hypothesis are logically possible, and the practical feasibility of...

 (RAMT), and sometimes System Safety

System safety

The system safety concept calls for a risk management strategy based on identification, analysis of hazards and application of remedial controls using a systems-based approach...

 (RAMS).

ILS has been categorized by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (UK MoD) Through Life Support (TLS) Directorate into the following elements and promulgated in UK Defence Standard (DEFSTAN) 00-600:

• Reliability engineering, Maintainability engineering and Maintenance (preventive, predictive and corrective) Planning
• Supply (Spare part) Support (e.g. ASD S2000M standard)/ acquire resources
• Support and Test Equipment/Equipment Support
• Manpower and Personnel
• Training
  Training
  The term training refers to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies as a result of the teaching of vocational or practical skills and knowledge that relate to specific useful competencies. It forms the core of apprenticeships and provides the backbone of content at institutes of...
  
   and Training Support
• Technical Data / Publications (e.g. ASD S1000D standard)
• Computer Resources Support
• Facilities
• Packaging, Handling, Storage, and Transportation (PHS&T)
• Design Interface

All elements of ILS are ideally developed in coordination with the system engineering effort and with each other. Tradeoffs may be required between elements in order to acquire a system that is: affordable (lowest life cycle cost), operable, supportable, sustainable, transportable, and environmentally sound.

The planning for ILS for a system may be contained in an Integrated Logistics Support Plan (ILSP). ILS planning activities coincide with development of the system acquisition strategy, and the program will be tailored accordingly.

Adoption

ILS is a technique introduced by the US Army to ensure that the supportability

Supportability

Supportability can refer to:*Supportability **Supportability...

 of an equipment item is considered during its design and development. The technique was adopted by the UK MOD in 1993 and made compulsory for the procurement of the majority of MOD equipment.

• Influence on Design
  Design
  Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
  
  . Integrated Logistic Support will provide important means to identify (as early as possible) reliability issues / problems and can initiate system or part design improvements based on reliability, maintainability, testability or system availability analysis (for example by the proper use of detailed functional and/or piece part FMECA techniques, Event tree
  Event tree
  Error tree is an inductive analytical diagram in which an event is analyzed using Boolean logic to examine a chronological series of subsequent events or consequences...
  
   and Fault tree analysis / assessments, Reliability Block Diagrams
  Block diagram
  Block diagram is a diagram of a system, in which the principal parts or functions are represented by blocks connected by lines, that show the relationships of the blocks....
  
  , Importance measurements, Reliability centered maintenance
  Reliability Centered Maintenance
  Reliability Centered Maintenance, often known as RCM, is a process to ensure that assets continue to do what their users require in their present operating context....
  
   (RCM) / Maintenance steering Group 3 and Monte Carlo techniques
  Monte Carlo method
  Monte Carlo methods are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. Monte Carlo methods are often used in computer simulations of physical and mathematical systems...
  
  ). Influence on design can also be the result of the use of a Data Recording, Analysis and Corrective Action Systems (DRACAS) during in-service phases. ILS can have a strong link with System Safety
  System safety
  The system safety concept calls for a risk management strategy based on identification, analysis of hazards and application of remedial controls using a systems-based approach...
  
   engineering due to the common use of several sources of data (like: failure mode- and failure rate- and failure mechanism information, system effect (criticality) behavior, fault detection, human error
  Human reliability
  Human reliability is related to the field of human factors engineering and ergonomics, and refers to the reliability of humans in fields such as manufacturing, transportation, the military, or medicine...
  
   (maintenance task related or operational task related) predictions, human factors
  Human factors
  Human factors science or human factors technologies is a multidisciplinary field incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research and anthropometry...
  
  , and system basic reliability or operational reliability
  Availability
  In telecommunications and reliability theory, the term availability has the following meanings:* The degree to which a system, subsystem, or equipment is in a specified operable and committable state at the start of a mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown, i.e., a random, time...
  
   calculations. ILS is an iterative process during the design of the equipment to ensure that supportability aspects are adequately addressed. This ensures that user maintenance and routine servicing tasks are minimized (optimized) and can be performed with sufficient ease, and that utilization of existing tools and techniques is maximized. Further, it may be required to demonstrate supportability of the equipment during LMMD (Logistics, Maintenance & Manpower Demonstration) to ensure that supportability has been adequately addressed. ILS can furthermore provide input or be part of a Quality Control
  Quality control
  Quality control, or QC for short, is a process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production. This approach places an emphasis on three aspects:...
  
   system, because it has the capability to identify the most critical parts for system operation and support, which should need the most attention from a quality point of view.

• Design of the Support Solution for minimum cost. Ensuring that the Support Solution considers and integrates the elements considered by ILS. This is discussed fully below.

• Initial Support Package. These tasks include calculation of requirements for spare part
  Spare part
  Spare Parts may also refer to:* Spare Parts , by Status Quo* Spare Parts is a Doctor Who audio drama.* Spare Parts , by Servotron* "Spare Parts" , by Bruce Springsteen* "Spare Parts"...
  
  s, special tools, and documentation. Quantities required for a specified initial period are calculated, procured, and delivered to support delivery, installation in some of the cases, and operation of the equipment.

The ILS management process facilitates specification, design, development, acquisition, test, fielding, and support of systems.

Maintenance planning

Maintenance planning begins early in the acquisition process with development of the maintenance concept. It is conducted to evolve and establish requirements and tasks to be accomplished for achieving, restoring, and maintaining the operational capability for the life of the system. Maintenance planning relies on Level Of Repair Analysis (LORA) as a function of the system acquisition process. Maintenance planning will:

• Define the actions and support necessary to ensure that the system attains the specified system readiness objectives with minimum Life Cycle Cost
  Whole-life cost
  Whole-life cost, or Life-cycle cost , refers to the total cost of ownership over the life of an asset . Also commonly referred to as "cradle to grave" or "womb to tomb" costs. Costs considered include the financial cost which is relatively simple to calculate and also the environmental and...
  
   (LCC).
• Set up specific criteria for repair, including Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) requirements, testability, reliability, and maintainability; support equipment requirements; automatic test equipment; and manpower skills and facility requirements.
• State specific maintenance tasks, to be performed on the system.
• Define actions and support required for fielding and marketing the system.
• Address warranty considerations.
• The maintenance concept must ensure prudent use of manpower and resources. When formulating the maintenance concept, analysis of the proposed work environment on the health and safety of maintenance personnel must be considered.
• Conduct a LORA repair analysis to optimize the support system, in terms of LCC, readiness objectives, design for discard, maintenance task distribution, support equipment and ATE, and manpower and personnel requirements.
• Minimize the use of hazardous materials and the generation of waste.

Supply support

Supply support encompasses all management actions, procedures, and techniques used to determine requirements to:

• Acquire support items and spare part
  Spare part
  Spare Parts may also refer to:* Spare Parts , by Status Quo* Spare Parts is a Doctor Who audio drama.* Spare Parts , by Servotron* "Spare Parts" , by Bruce Springsteen* "Spare Parts"...
  
  s.
• Catalog the items.
• Receive the items.
• Store and warehouse the items.
• Transfer the items to where they are needed.
• Issue the items.
• Dispose of secondary items.
• Provide for initial support of the system.
• Acquire, distribute, and replenish inventory.

Support and test equipment

Support and test equipment includes all equipment, mobile and fixed, that is required to perform the support functions, except that equipment which is an integral part of the system. Support equipment categories include:

• Handling and Maintenance Equipment.
• Tools (hand tools as well as power tools).
• Metrology and measurement devices.
• Calibration equipment.
• Test equipment.
• Automatic test equipment.
• Support equipment for on- and off-equipment maintenance.
• Special inspection equipment and depot maintenance plant equipment, which includes all equipment and tools required to assemble, disassemble, test, maintain, and support the production and/or depot repair of end items or components.

This also encompasses planning and acquisition of logistic support for this equipment.

Manpower and personnel

Manpower and personnel involves identification and acquisition of personnel with skills and grades required to operate and maintain a system over its lifetime. Manpower requirements are developed and personnel assignments are made to meet support demands throughout the life cycle of the system. Manpower requirements are based on related ILS elements and other considerations. Human factors

Human factors

Human factors science or human factors technologies is a multidisciplinary field incorporating contributions from psychology, engineering, industrial design, statistics, operations research and anthropometry...

 engineering (HFE) or behavioral research is frequently applied to ensure a good man-machine interface. Manpower requirements are predicated on accomplishing the logistics support mission in the most efficient
and economical way. This element includes requirements during the planning and decision process to optimize numbers, skills, and positions. This area considers:

• Man-machine and environmental interface
• Special skills
• Human factors considerations during the planning and decision process

Training and training devices

Training and training devices support encompasses the processes, procedures, techniques, training devices, and equipment used to train personnel to operate and support a system. This element defines qualitative and quantitative requirements for the training of operating and support personnel throughout the life cycle of the system. It includes requirements for:

• Competencies management
• Factory training
• Instructor and key personnel training
• New equipment training team
• Resident training
• Sustainment training
• User training
• HAZMAT disposal and safe procedures training

Embedded training devices, features, and components are designed and built into a specific system to provide training or assistance in the use of the system. (One example of this is the HELP files of many software programs.) The design, development, delivery, installation, and logistic support of required embedded training features, mockups, simulators, and training aids are also included.

Technical data

Technical Data and Technical Publications consists of scientific or technical information necessary to translate system requirements into discrete engineering and logistic support documentation. Technical data is used in the development of repair manuals, maintenance manuals, user manuals, and other documents that are used to operate or support the system. Technical data includes, but may not be limited to:

• Technical manuals
• Technical and supply bulletins
• Transportability guidance technical manuals
• Maintenance expenditure limits and calibration procedures
• Repair parts and tools lists
• Maintenance allocation charts
• Corrective maintenance
  Corrective maintenance
  Corrective maintenance can be defined as a maintenance task performed to identify, isolate, and rectify a fault so that the failed equipment, machine, or system can be restored to an operational condition within the tolerances or limits established for in-service operations...
  
   instructions
• Preventive maintenance
  Preventive maintenance
  Preventive maintenance has the following meanings:#The care and servicing by personnel for the purpose of maintaining equipment and facilities in satisfactory operating condition by providing for systematic inspection, detection, and correction of incipient failures either before they occur or...
  
   and Predictive maintenance
  Predictive maintenance
  Predictive maintenance techniques help determine the condition of in-service equipment in order to predict when maintenance should be performed...
  
   instructions
• Drawings/specifications/technical data packages
• Software documentation
• Provisioning documentation
• Depot maintenance work requirements
• Identification lists
• Component lists
• Product support data
• Flight safety critical parts list for aircraft
• Lifting and tie down pamphlet/references
• Hazardous Material documentation

Computer resources support

Computer Resources Support includes the facilities, hardware, software, documentation, manpower, and personnel needed to operate and support computer systems and the software within those systems. Computer resources include both stand-alone and embedded systems. This element is usually planned, developed, implemented, and monitored by a Computer Resources Working Group (CRWG) or Computer Resources Integrated Product Team

Integrated Product Team

An integrated product team is a multidisciplinary group of people who are collectively responsible for delivering a defined product or process.IPTs are used in complex development programs/projects for review and decision making...

 (CR-IPT) that documents the approach and tracks progress via a Computer Resources Life-Cycle Management Plan (CRLCMP). Developers will need to ensure that planning actions and strategies contained in the ILSP and CRLCMP are complementary and that computer resources support for the operational software, and ATE software, support software, is available where and when needed.

Packaging, handling, storage, and transportation (PHS&T)

This element includes resources and procedures to ensure that all equipment and support items are preserved, packaged, packed, marked, handled, transported, and stored properly for short- and long-term requirements. It includes material-handling equipment and packaging, handling and storage requirements, and pre-positioning of material and parts. It also includes preservation and packaging level requirements and storage requirements (for example, sensitive, proprietary, and controlled items). This element includes planning and programming the details associated with movement of the system in its shipping configuration to the ultimate destination via transportation modes and networks available and authorized for use. It further encompasses establishment of critical engineering design parameters and constraints (e.g., width, length, height, component and system rating, and weight) that must be considered during system development. Customs requirements, air shipping requirements, rail shipping requirements, container considerations, special movement precautions, mobility, and transportation asset impact of the shipping mode or the contract shipper must be carefully assessed. PHS&T planning must consider:

• System constraints (such as design specifications, item configuration, and safety precautions for hazardous material)
• Special security requirements
• Geographic and environmental restrictions
• Special handling equipment and procedures
• Impact on spare or repair parts storage requirements
• Emerging PHS&T technologies, methods, or procedures and resource-intensive PHS&T procedures
• Environmental impacts and constraints

Facilities

The Facilities logistics element is composed of a variety of planning activities, all of which are directed toward ensuring that all required permanent or semi-permanent operating and support facilities (for instance, training, field and depot maintenance, storage, operational, and testing) are available concurrently with system fielding. Planning must be comprehensive and include the need for new construction as well as modifications to existing facilities. It also includes studies to define and establish impacts on life cycle cost, funding requirements, facility locations and improvements, space requirements, environmental impacts, duration or frequency of use, safety and health standards requirements, and security restrictions. Also included are any utility requirements, for both fixed and mobile facilities, with emphasis on limiting requirements of scarce or unique resources.

Design interface

Design interface is the relationship of logistics-related design parameters of the system to its projected or actual support resource requirements. These design parameters are expressed in operational terms rather than as inherent values and specifically relate to system requirements and support costs of the system. Programs such as "design for testability" and "design for discard" must be considered during system design. The basic requirements that need to be considered as part of design interface include:

• Reliability
  Reliability engineering
  Reliability engineering is an engineering field, that deals with the study, evaluation, and life-cycle management of reliability: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time. It is often measured as a probability of...
  
  
• Maintainability
  Maintainability
  In engineering, maintainability is the ease with which a product can be maintained in order to:* isolate defects or their cause* correct defects or their cause* meet new requirements* make future maintenance easier, or* cope with a changed environment...
  
  
• Standardization
  Standardization
  Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards.The goals of standardization can be to help with independence of single suppliers , compatibility, interoperability, safety, repeatability, or quality....
  
  
• Interoperability
  Interoperability
  Interoperability is a property referring to the ability of diverse systems and organizations to work together . The term is often used in a technical systems engineering sense, or alternatively in a broad sense, taking into account social, political, and organizational factors that impact system to...
  
  
• Safety
  Safety
  Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
  
  
• Security
• Usability
  Usability
  Usability is the ease of use and learnability of a human-made object. The object of use can be a software application, website, book, tool, machine, process, or anything a human interacts with. A usability study may be conducted as a primary job function by a usability analyst or as a secondary job...
  
  
• Environmental and HAZMAT
• Privacy
  Privacy
  Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively...
  
  , particularly for computer systems
• Legal

Standards

• AECMA 1000d (Technical Publications)
• AECMA 2000m (initial provisioning)
• Army Regulation 700-127 Integrated Logistics Support, 27 September 2007
• British Defence Standard 00-600 Integrated Logistics Support for MOD Projects
• Federal Standard 1037C in support of MIL-STD-188
• IEEE 1332, IEEE Standard Reliability Program for the Development and Production of Electronic Systems and Equipment, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
• MIL-STD-785, Reliability Program for Systems and Equipment Development and Production, U.S. Department of Defense.
• MIL-STD 1388-1A Logistic Support Analysis (LSA)
• MIL-STD 1388-2B Requirements for a Logistic Support Analysis Record
• MIL-STD-1629A, PROCEDURES FOR PERFORMING A FAILURE MODE, EFFECTS AND CRlTlCALlTY ANALYSIS
• MIL-STD 1629b FMECA
• MIL-STD-2173, Reliability Centered Maintenance Requirements, U.S. Department of Defense (superseded by NAVAIR 00-25-403)
• OPNAVINST 4130.2A

Handbooks

• Integrated Logistics Support Handbook, third edition - James V. Jones
• MIL-HDBK-217, Reliability Prediction of Electronic Equipment, U.S. Department of Defense.
• MIL-HDBK-338B, Electronic Reliability Design Handbook, U.S. Department of Defense.
• MIL-HDBK-781A, Reliability Test Methods, Plans, and Environments for Engineering Development, Qualification, and Production, U.S. Department of Defense.
• NASA PRA - Probabilistic Risk Assessment Handbook
• NASA Fault Tree Assessment handbook

Resources

• Systems Assessments, Integrated Logistics and COOP Support Services, 26 August 2008
• AeroSpace and Defence (ASD) Industries Association of Europe