Planning for Acquisition Support Activities and Requirements

When should planning for acquisition support activities and requirements dealing with fielding/deployment begin?

a. Material Solution Analysis Phase
b. Production and Deployment Phase
c. Operations and Support Phase
d. Engineering and Manufacturing Deployment Phase

Answer:

The correct answer is (d) Engineering and Manufacturing Deployment Phase.

Planning for acquisition support activities and requirements that deal with fielding/deployment should begin as early as the engineering and manufacturing development phase (EMD). During the EMD phase, the design of the system is refined, prototypes are developed, and manufacturing processes are established. This phase is crucial for identifying and addressing any technical risks or issues before proceeding to production.

Acquisition support activities encompass a wide range of tasks, including logistics planning, supply chain management, maintenance and sustainment planning, training, and deployment support. These activities ensure that the system can be effectively fielded and deployed to the end users once it enters production.

By initiating acquisition support planning during the EMD phase, potential challenges and requirements can be identified and addressed early on, leading to a smoother transition from development to fielding. This early planning allows for the incorporation of supportability considerations into the system design, ensuring that the necessary infrastructure, documentation, training programs, and logistical support are in place to support the system's fielding and deployment.