Chief Engineer as Chief Logistician

ABSTRACT Many successful military weapons programs are plagued by “unsuccessful” logistics documentation at the time of weapons system delivery. In effect, the engineering is complete but the logistics is lacking. In many cases, this is a result of engineering changes that complicate the logistics process and drive it further behind schedule to the point it cannot possibly “catch up.” Yet the finger is always pointed at the logistics process primarily due to a lack of understanding of how the engineering and logistics should be integrated. To ensure full integration, it is necessary to train engineers in the logistics process so that they fully understand their impact. In order to accomplish this, the chief engineer must also be responsible for the logistics department and its deliverables. This paper will not only look at the required training and how the departments should be integrated, but also the types of mandatory interaction that engineers and logisticians must have to understand each other's requirements and deliverables. Many decisions made properly at the engineering level can greatly minimize the impact on the logistician and his process. This will provide a better product delivered on time with proper logistics and at decreased cost. Only a trained engineer with full knowledge of logistics and full control over a joint engineering/logistics department has the ability to make this happen. The term “integrated” in ILS must include not only all logistics components, but also engineering.