Logistics Aspects of Weapon Systems Modernization

5 =) 1 # 9 1230 4 ' t 9 LOGISTICS ASPECTS OF 9EAPON SYSTEMS MODERNI7ATION Kazimierz KOWAL2KI, Wiktor BIERNIKOWI0Z, Jacek RL0ZLN2KI, MacieB 2ZUKAL2KI ,ULF - general Tadeusz Cosciuszko ,ilitar0 Universit0 of Land Forces, Facult0 of ,anagement, Logistics 1epartment, DroclaA, Republic of Poland, EU, [email protected] , [email protected] , [email protected] , [email protected] Abstract 1roblems of logistics support of weapon systems in their life cycle operation and support phase, especially considering its moderni.ation are presented in the paper. In the introduction inevitability of the moderni.ation process of crucial weapon systems was emphasi.ed. Furthermore, the concept of weapon system, life cycle of the weapon system and moderni.ation of weapon systems where presented. A general description of a model of the process of creating the plan of technical moderni.ation of the 1olish armed forces was also presented. The main part of the article presents the areas of logistics that should be newly tailored to the needs of the moderni.ed weapon system. These basic areas includeA processes of operation and maintenance, material and technical supplies, staff ac,uisition, availability of service devices, creation of databases, organi.ation of trainings, computeri.ation, logistics infrastructure, dedicated transport means. The main conclusion of the article is to emphasi.e the fact that the moderni.ation of weapon systems entails not only the costs of moderni.ing a specific type of weapon 3tan), infantry fighting vehicle4 but also the costs of logistic support in operation and maintenance phase of their life cycle. eywords: Weapon system, life cycle, moderni.ation, logistic 1. INTRODUCTION The inevitability of the moderni.ation process of crucial weapon systems 3W24 is primarily due to their at least 30 years of operation. During this time, at least two factors affect the failure to adapt their ability to current re,uirements 71-39. The first is the changing threat that these systems should counteract, and the second is continuous technical progress enabling improvement of )ey parameters affecting capabilities of these systems 749. As it results from the above, it is necessary to implement actions aimed at adapting the capabilities of W2 to current re,uirements of modern battlefields. The moderni.ation of W2 is seen through the moderni.ation of their )ey subsystem - a type of military e,uipment. That is why in the further part of the article the concept of moderni.ation of the W2 and moderni.ation of military e,uipment is presented similarly. Rational management of the life cycle of defence systems 3including W24 is e tremely important due to the very high costs of the life cycle of these systems 3reaching hundreds of billions of U2 dollars4 75,C9. But the problem of technical moderni.ation of the W2 is not only a purely technical issue but often a political will. 2uch a flagship e ample in the 1olish Armed Forces is the BW1-1 infantry fighting vehicle. It should be noted, however, that Bust a few years after the BW1-1 was put into operation 319CC4, wor) was underta)en to moderni.e it, and in many countries its moderni.ed, proprietary versions 3e.g. Romania, 2lova)ia, Belarus, 0hina4 are currently in operation. Leaving in the service of the unmoderni.ed BW1-1 poses huge logistical problems with its maintenance. Despite this infamous e ample 3BW1-1 in the 1olish Armed Forces4, the standard is to moderni.e weapon systems 3even several times4 before deciding to withdraw them from service. -ence the importance of this process in the life cycle of weapon systems. 355 5 =) 1 # 9 1230 4 ' t 9 2. MODERNI7ATION OF 9EAPON SYSTEMS The W2 is defined as a set of cooperating weapon types 3along with their related e,uipment4 with personnel, material and technical means, services and means of transportTshipment 3if re,uired4. The above-mentioned elements are to ensure self-sufficiency of the W2, defined by the type of weaponry, in operation 779. A graphic presentation of the concept of weapon system is shown in Figure 1 . Figure 1 The idea of weapon system In NATO, by adapting the classification set out in I2O T IE0 15288, the entire product life cycle has been divided into si stagesA concept, development, production, use, support, withdrawal. -owever, according to the model adopted by the 1olish Ministry of National Defense, the life cycle model of the W2 includes the following phases 3 Figure 2 4A identification, analytical and conceptual, implementation, operation and maintenance. Figure 2 6raphical presentation of weapon systems life cycle processes in 1olish Armed Forces W2 moderni.ation process in its life cycle is generally carried out in two phases, reali.ation and OKM. In the reali.ation phase, in the area of moderni.ation, it is important to design the future W2 in such a way that its further rational development is possible. In particular, it is about the possibility of increasing the capabilities of W2 by replacing critical modules 3assemblies, subassemblies4. The completion of the last stage of the W2 life cycle in the 1olish Armed Forces is subBect to its decommissioning, if it does not meet the re,uirements of the Armed Forces due to at least one of the following conditionsA utili.e wor)time standard, physical wear and tear, preventing further use when the repair is unprofitable or impossible, 35C 5 =) 1 # 9 1230 4 ' t 9 combat, technical and operational parameters that do not meet the re,uirements of the army when .oderniLation is unprofitable or i.possible , organi.ational and regular post changes in the Armed Forces, resulting in no prospects for the W2 further ' / According to the current nomenclature in the Armed Forces of the Republic of 1oland, the increase in the capabilities of W2 can be achieved through the process of its modification or moderni.ation. Both processes mentioned above ta)e place in the OKM phase of the weapon systems life cycle. Modification is understood as the process of improvement of W2, consisting in the e change, replacement or e tension of e isting components, functions or software without changing its principal purpose. As a result of the modification, no new W2 is created 3i.e. it maintains its e isting material inde 4. 6ood e ample of this process is overhaul and modification of T-72M1 tan). Whereas, the moderni.ation process, which is also a process of improvement of W2 capabilities, involves changing its operational parameters. Especially critical operational parameters. As a result of this process, new W2 is created 3receives a new material inde 4. As an e ample of this process may serves moderni.ation of 1olish Leopard 2A4 tan)s to Leopard 21L version. As follows from the above, the moderni.ation of W2 significantly changes its capabilities and is a much more comple and costly process than the modification process. Therefore, the fre,uency of e ecution of the W2 modification process is definitely greater than its moderni.ation. Thus, the essence of the moderni.ation of W2 is to increase its capability, combat value 3 Figure 3 4. Figure 3 6raphical presentation of the process of moderni.ing a weapon system 3the meaning of symbols in the te t4 The initial combat value of W2 is WB 0 at the time of its entry into service. The decrease the combat value of W2 during its operation is symboli.ed by the A 1 curve. This decrease continues to the contractual allowable level of combat value 3WB min1 4. In order to prevent e ceeding the allowable level of combat value, the moderni.ation process 3M 14 is carried out, than)s to which the combat value of W2 increases to the value of WB mod1 . A significant fact is that the level of combat value of military e,uipment after moderni.ation 3WB mod1 4 is higher than its initial level of combat value 3WB 04. The relationships presented above are repeated in time 3WB min2 , WB min3 - admissible levels of combat value decline after moderni.ation of M 2 and M 3E A 2, A 3 - curves of the decrease in combat value after moderni.ation of M 2 and M 3E M 2, M 3 - subse,uent moderni.ationsE WB mod2 , WB mod3 - a level of military e,uipment combat value after the moderni.ation M 2 and M 34. 357 5 =) 1 # 9 1230 4 ' t 9 Of course, the cyclicity of changes is not e,ual for each time interval. Also the lines symboli.ing the change 3increase4 in the level of allowable combat value 3line 04 and the level of combat value after moderni.ation 3line B4 may correspond to the value of various functions 3this is not always a linear function as shown in the Figure 3 4. It should be noted that the absolute increase in the level of combat value of W2 obtained as a result of the moderni.ation process is definitely greater than the increase obtained as a result of the modification process. Assessing W2 in the OKM phase in terms of the possibility of moderni.ation, W2 can be divided into three basic categoriesA 14 Modern W2 that meets the re,uirements, not being moderni.ed. 24 W2 that meets the re,uirements to a limited e tent, with moderni.ation potential Bustifying its further operation. 34 Obsolete W2 that does not meet the re,uirements and does not have the moderni.ation potential Bustifying its further rational operation. 3. LOGISTICS IN MODERNI77ATION OF 9EAPON SYSTEMS The main tas) of logistics in the operation of W2 is to enable its use and maintenance during both peace 3training4 and war 3combat4 activity.

Load more