BLACKHAWK’s logistics and maintenance capabilities cover a broad spectrum with respect to mission requirements and personnel qualifications and capabilities as indicated below. The missions that are supported by BLACKHAWK range from augmenting the U.S. Army warehousing operations in Iraq to performing multiple logistics functions for NASA’s International Space Station.

International Space Station

U. S. Army Logistics Operations

Logistics Automation Management – Logistics automation are those computer-based systems that are used to order and track supplies and maintenance actions. These systems provide near real time data to the Automated Battle Command Systems (ABCS) assisting commanders in making operational decisions. BLACKHAWK provides Corps level oversight of Combat Service Support (CSS) logistics information systems including emerging systems such as Battle Command Sustainment Support System (BCS3, Standard Army Maintenance System-Enhanced (SAMS-E), Property Book Unit Supply-Enhance (PBUSE), and Global Combat Service Support Army (GCSS-A).

Force Modernization - This activity involves analysis, coordination and fielding of new equipment to military units. BLACKHAWK personnel perform all the necessary actions to assure that proper quantities of equipment including M1 Battle Tanks, trucks, small weapons and communications equipment are identified and fielded.

Property Book Management – BLACKHAWK's capability in Property Book Management is extensive and includes; maintaining property accountability; providing SME support on Reports of Survey, lateral transfers, turn-ins and reconciliations. BLACKHAWK possess expertise on Standard Army Property Book System-Redesign (SPBS-R) and Property Book Unit Supply System-Enhance (PBUSE).

Red Hats Warehousing Operations – Iraq - BLACKHAWK augments the U. S. Army warehousing operations in Iraq supporting 10 base camps. The BLACKHAWK Red Hat Team provides stock control and warehousing augmentation in support of Class I, IIIP, IV, VII, and IX in 12 Supply Support Activities (SSAs). The RED Hat Team uses the Standard Army Retail Supply System (SARSS), the Army’s automated supply program, to maintain accountability of items.

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Standard Army Retail Supply System
(SARSS) Operation in Iraq.

Warehousing Operations in Iraq

Reset Maintenance Management – BLACKHAWK provides management support for the Reset Program at Ft. Hood where assistance is provided to re-deploying units meeting the FORSCOM reconstitution standard of 180 days so they can deploy combat ready equipment. BLACKHAWK personnel coordinate vehicle maintenance inspections, assist units in the turn-in of their equipment repair, and continuously monitor the repair status.

Distribution Management – Operations at the Distribution Management Cell (DMC) center around all facets of transportation operations involved with the ordering of parts/supplies, transportation to the post, and follow-on transportation to the final user. The major aspects of this operation involve the Standard Army Retail Supply System (SARSS) that each Supply Support Activity (SSA) uses to order supplies. The DMC monitors the receipt of items at the Central Receiving Point (CRP) and the delivery of the items to the customer who ordered them.

Functional Availability Analysis - Functional availability analyses are performed for the ISSP using the BLACKHAWK developed Functional Availability Simulation Tool – Enhanced Release (FASTER). FASTER is a Monte Carlo simulation software tool used to model the functions of the ISS and compute an average functional availability (fA). Using FASTER, sparing determination is made based on key ISS operational parameters and constraints such as: Space Shuttle flight frequency; number and locations of spares - ground versus on-orbit; projected repair time; duty cycle; and mean time between failure (MTBF). FASTER is readily adaptable to other programs where system availability or operational readiness is a desired requirement or goal.

FASTER Input Screen – Graphical User Interface

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Inventory and Asset Management: GOLD™ Database - BLACKHAWK provides inventory management and logistics materiel planning support using the GOLD™ software system for NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) program. We use GOLD™ to identify procurement requirements based on inventory demand and on-going vehicle maintenance and operational requirements. The GOLD™ data base is also used to identify and resolve sole source vendor issues to manage program supportability risk. Our support includes data base administration and key user responsibility for data integrity, maintenance, and user training.

Provisioning and Sparing Analysis - BLACKHAWK supports the sparing posture assessments including determination of the required on orbit inventory and the need for expedited ground depot repairs and procurement actions. We analyze sparing at the functional and ORU levels to determine the recommended support posture for the ISS, working with subsystem teams to determine functional availability targets.  Based on these performance targets, we recommend sparing quantities and the pre-positioning requirements on-orbit and on the ground.

Logistics Support Analysis (LSA): EAGLETM Database - We review ISS engineering drawings, associated documents, and specifications to validate the accuracy, completeness, and consistency of the LSA data. We incorporate engineering change proposals and release records into Logistics Support Analysis Records (LSAR) in the EAGLE™ data base.

Obsolescence Planning and Response - BLACKHAWK performs obsolescence analysis including development of indentured bills of material (BOM) from drawing files, screening and evaluation of components for electronics and other items subject to obsolescence using TacTrac™ and GIDEP, development of obsolescence issue disposition strategy, and tracking and metrics reporting on Obsolescence issue resolution.

Illustrated Parts Breakdown - Using CAD systems including Pro-Engineer and Unigraphics, we prepare illustrated parts breakdowns and exploded view drawings to support the development of detail on-orbit repair and combined human and robotic maintenance activities.

Maintenance Manuals - Using ISS 3-D CAD models we analyze and update maintenance task procedures for on orbit operations and develop illustrations and process descriptions which are incorporated with the LSAR data and incorporated into maintenance operations documentation.

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