Supply Chain Resilience: Assessing USAF Weapon System Life Cycle

The Air Force Global Logistics Support Center (AFGLSC) is responsible for the United States Air Force's supply chain. One of the AFGLSC's responsibilities is to improve AF supply chain processes. This thesis investigates the subject of supply chain resilience and its potential impact for improving supply chain management. Through literature a supply chain resilience framework and measurement tool was identified for potential benefit to Air Force supply chain management. Air Force weapon systems were identified and segmented into two phases of the weapon system life cycle. This research analyzes data collected on supply chain resilience factors, vulnerabilities and capabilities, for each individual weapon system to determine if differences exist as weapon systems progress through the weapon system life cycle. The results indicate that the supply chain resilience framework and measurement tool provides Air Force leadership with beneficial information to improve and assist in the strategic management of their supply chain.