A system dynamics modeling approach for a military weapon maintenance supply system

Abstract

This research develops a simulation model using a system dynamics approach to study the bullwhip effect caused in a military weapons maintenance supply system. Previous research shows that military supply chain maintenance problems are mainly caused by aging machines, equipment reliability, weapon life cycle, and inefficient organization, which cause bullwhip effect in the military supply chain. This research uses system dynamics to simulate those system environment problems and develops strategies that can improve the system efficiency and effectiveness in military supply chain replenishment system. This research finds that the major problem in military weapon maintenance supply system is human resource inefficiency and that certain remedies, such as organizational restructure, can reduce system bullwhip effect and improve overall system performance.