COLLABORATION & THE INNOVATIVE INDUSTRIAL BASE


A WEAK LINK TIGHTENED


PEO Aviation creates defense industrial base risk management team to shore up the supply chain for parts for Army’s rotary wing fleet.


by Jody Hicks and Bill Crawford P


reviously unrecognized issues with the United States’ industrial base and distribution system entered the national spotlight during the coronavirus pandemic. News reports cited shipping containers stuck in ports, items piled up at loading docks, transportation disruptions, empty store shelves,


labor shortages and many more related challenges. Most of the issues seen in the media were those that impacted our day-to-day lives. However, COVID-19 also exposed challenges facing the United States defense industrial base.


Te Army relies on a robust defense industrial base to develop, build and maintain aviation capabilities for both the current aviation fleet and the Army of 2030. Even though the pandemic has ended, some Army aviation enduring aircraft produc- tion lines are still facing pandemic-related supply chain challenges. Te CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache production lines, which are the bellwether of the fleet, are facing possible slowdowns in the near future.


Army aviators depend on the timely availability of aircraft parts and equipment to keep the force postured to conduct their missions both at home and abroad. Tey need their aircraft to be available for training and operational deployments.


MANAGING INDUSTRIAL BASE CHALLENGES Te defense industrial base and supply chain have been strained at all levels. From major industrial powerhouses to the small producers of specialty parts, pandemic restrictions, the loss of skilled employees and supply chain disruptions slowed or stopped production lines. Many smaller “mom and pop” specialty businesses that


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