Integrated logistics support, or ILS, is an approach to managing military logistics, similar to customer service or commercial product support organizations. The goal of the ILS system is to create longer-lasting systems, which reduce costs by requiring less support and ultimately increase investment returns. There are 10 basic elements to the ILS logistics support system.

Technical Data

Technical data consists of technical or scientific information or publications such as engineering drawings or maintainer and operator manuals and other documents necessary to support, maintain and operate the system.

Personnel

The personnel element identifies and acquires personnel, both civilian and military, with the grades and skills required to operate, support and maintain the system throughout its lifetime, at wartime and peacetime rates based on related considerations and other ILS elements.

Facilities

The facilities element includes in-depth planning conducted for procuring the semi-permanent, permanent or temporary property assets necessary to support the system. This includes locations, utilities, real restate requirements, space needs, equipment and environmental requirements.

Packaging, Handling, Storage and Transportation (PHST)

An important element of logistics is to identify all resources, procedures, processes, methods and design considerations to ensure all equipment, support items and systems are properly preserved, handled, packaged and transported correctly. This includes considering preservation requirements, transportability, short-term storage and environmental aspects.

Training

The training element implements an active training program for civilians, reserve and active-duty personnel on the procedures, techniques, processes, equipment and training devices used to install, support and operate the system. This includes crew and individual training, logistics support planning and new equipment training.

Equipment Design

The equipment design element consists of logistics-related design parameters such as availability human factors, survivability and reliability, meeting the resource requirements to minimize support and maximize readiness.

Computer Resources

The computer resources element includes identifying the facilities, software, hardware, manpower, support tools, software development, documentation and personnel necessary to support and operate the computer software within the system.

Maintenance

Maintenance planning and analysis establishes all required elements of repair and maintenance support capabilities for restoring and maintaining the operational equipment. This ensures all equipment achieves the capability to perform its operational mission for the life of the system.

Supplies

The supplies element consists of identifying all management actions, techniques and procedures necessary to acquire, store, issue and dispose of secondary items. This includes provisioning for initial support and procuring and replenishing inventory parts and spares.

Support Equipment

The support equipment element consists of identifying all fixed or mobile equipment necessary for performing support functions, maintenance and operation of the system. This includes maintenance equipment, automatic test equipment, calibration equipment and other measuring devices.