| Summary: | This thesis identifies the major factors faced by the Program Manager in developing and implementing the integrated logistics support plan (ILSP) for the U.S. Army's Special Operations Aircraft (SOA), the MH-60K and MH-47E. The SOA Program had many unique characteristics which made it a prime candidate for identification of major factors and development of lessons learned. Two of those unique characteristics are the facts that it was designated a nondevelopmental item (NDI) acquisition, and the fact that it is an extremely low density weapon system. Effective integrated logistics support (ILS) planing poses a challenge in 'normal' developmental programs. Ensuring that ILS is handled effectively in low density NDI acquisitions can be a significantly more difficult challenge for the acquisition professional. This thesis develops a case study of ILS in the unique environment of the SOA Program. It also analyzes four maintenance specific ILS elements in an attempt to identify major factors that significantly impacted the development and implementation of the SOA ILSP. From these major factors, numerous lessons learned are developed. Some of the more important lessons learned are that: Sustainment of low density weapon systems is far more complicated and expensive through separate small Program Management Offices than it is through existing Program Management Offices; The density of the weapon system being procured is one of the most important factors to consider when making key ILS decisions; and, Logistics Support Analysis tailoring and use are critical to establishing and implementing successful ILS in weapon systems. Study of the major factors and lessons learned presented in this thesis should improve the future development and implementation of ILSPs in Special Operations Aviation programs and NDI programs as a whole.
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