Implementing an In-Service F-16 Avionics Unique Item Identification Program

The office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics mandated the use of Unique Item Identification (UID) for all solicitations on or after January 1, 2004 for major modifications, equipment, and spares. This was only the first step toward uniquely identifying all DoD assets that meet certain cost and management criteria. Subsequent steps toward this goal include uniquely identifying DoD manufactured items as well as those assets currently in-service. The purpose of this research was to identify factors the F-16 Unique Items Supply Chain Manager should consider to implement an effective and efficient UID program for its in-service F-16 avionics assets. The case study methodology was employed to capture lessons learned from previous in-service UID programs and evaluate alternative data label making and data label affixing strategies based on cost, timeliness, quality, and span of control. Research revealed a lack of senior leader support and poor communications as primary areas for improvement for future UID in-service programs.