[Milsurplus] ID Cables

[Mike Feher]

George -

While at one time fairly extensive cross reference info was provided with
all Mil. equipment, that is no longer the case. A lot of times the military
now does not even procure a drawing package since it is costly and all
repairs are performed by the depot which often turns out to be the
manufacturer of the equipment. In the field typically it is a remove and
replace exercise at a high level. Additionally the military has gone to what
they call NDI (Non-Developed Item) and COTS (Commercial off-the-shelf)
equipment. At times they do have the contractor go through a ruggedization
process to make the equipment field compatible. Some time ago, the "Perry
Initiative" even did away with all Mil-Specs and Standards and in order to
use one now a waiver has to be issued on the contract. All in the name of
saving money. Of course, in the mean time, equipment is failing left and
right in the field. Component manufacturers do not even make parts to
Mil-Specs. any longer. All in all it is a pretty sad picture. 73 - Mike



Mike B. Feher, N4FS
89 Arnold Blvd.
Howell NJ, 07731
(732) 901-9193


----- Original Message -----
From: "aGEnuine ham" <gl4d21@juno.com>
To: <WA5CAB@cs.com>
Cc: <milsurplus@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2002 10:41 PM
Subject: Re: [Milsurplus] ID Cables


> Group:
>
> Robert's inquiry brings up something I have always wondered about.  When
> I worked for a major electronics manufacturing operation, 40+ years ago,
> well before the widespread use of computers for database management, we
> had a reverse parts list which itemized each piece of equipment which any
> given part or subassembly was used in.  Did the military ever have
> anything which approached this?  These days it would only take a few
> lines of code in a database, but I get the impression that no
> comprehensive forward parts list exists, never mind a reverse one.
> Anyone spend enough time in Integrated Logistics Support to provide a
> comprehensive story about how the military services handle this?
>
> 73,
> George
> W5VPQ