From Push to Pull: Barriers to MALSP Modernization

Abstract

The Marine Aviation Logistics Support Program (MALSP) is the current concept that Marine aviation uses to sustain aircraft readiness through the maintenance of aircraft and the supply of aircraft parts. The MALSP is a push system that deploys a large footprint of parts, personnel, and supporting infrastructure. This large footprint, commonly referred to as the iron mountain, is expensive to deploy and maintain. In order to minimize cost, an initiative known as the MALSP II has evolved. Utilizing demand-based logistics response of the MALSP II, the Marine Corps will deploy a reduced aircraft maintenance and aviation supply footprint. Parts will be distributed through various nodes. As parts are requisitioned, demand triggers parts to be pulled from these nodes. Theoretically, the transition to a pull system would increase response time, minimize cost, and decrease wait time. The purpose of this thesis is to perform a qualitative analysis of the MALSP II to identify barriers to modernization and provide recommendations to mitigate risk. Areas of concern include information technology (IT), specifically, Marine Aviation Logistics Enterprise Information Technology (MAL-EIT); interoperability with Global Combat Support Systems Marine Corps (GCSSMC); funding, maturity, and supportability, as well as organizational barriers to MALSP modernization; and inventory management.