Cad/Pad

The Cad/Pad program within the Air Force is dedicated to the procurement and maintenance of Cartridge Actuated Devices and Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD). These devices are essential for safety and operational functions, including emergency egress, fire suppression, aerial refueling, and data destruction. The program ensures these devices are available and reliable across mission areas such as combat, training, force protection, search and rescue, and humanitarian relief. It supports over 1,100 distinct National Stock Numbers used on various airframes like the A-10, B-52, C-130, F-16, and KC-135.

The program's objectives include addressing production challenges such as Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), material shortages, and obsolescence issues. This involves conducting studies, bridge buys, life-of-type buys, supplier or parts replacement activities, and qualification activities to preserve future production capabilities. Additionally, the program aims to maintain aircraft operational availability and pilot safety by replacing CAD/PAD assets that expire due to their defined shelf or service life. This is in accordance with Technical Order (T.O.) 00-20-1 which mandates grounding aircraft until reliable assets are installed.

Procurement for the Cad/Pad program is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The resources allocated for this initiative support procurement activities while ensuring compliance with Title 10 of the U.S. Code Section 2308 regarding acquisition strategies. By focusing on these goals and objectives, the Cad/Pad program seeks to sustain critical safety measures across various Air Force operations while adapting to changing manufacturing landscapes.