If the House Armed Services readiness panel has its way, the Pentagon would establish a permanent corrosion policy and oversight office directly under the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Currently, there is a corrosion office about “three layers removed” from the undersecretary, according to the panel’s Fiscal 2008 defense authorization bill markup statement. The subcommittee also notes that “corrosion is a $10 billion problem for DOD, but this year’s budget provides only $14 million for the corrosion office.” The authorizers also want the Pentagon to submit an annual report detailing long-term strategy and the savings recouped and explaining how it arrived at its funding request based on requirements.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.