Rapid Sustainment Modernization (RSM)

The Rapid Sustainment Modernization (RSM) program, managed by the Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO), is designed to accelerate the delivery of critical technologies that improve readiness and reduce sustainment costs across the Department of the Air Force (DAF) enterprise. The program's primary objective is to identify, assess, develop, validate, and deploy new technology solutions that address enterprise-wide sustainment needs, including depot maintenance, field maintenance, supply chain management, and program office requirements. RSM leverages advanced research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities to ensure these technologies are integrated and tested in high-fidelity, realistic operating environments.

Rapid Sustainment Modernization-Advanced Manufacturing focuses on the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing and cold spray repair processes. The program aims to standardize and scale these technologies across the Air Force to enhance supply chain resilience, enable alternative sources for manufacturing and repair, and reduce dependency on diminishing manufacturing sources. Key initiatives include a centralized cloud-based platform for accessing government additive manufacturing capabilities, part requests, approvals, and hardware. The program also supports digital materiel management and the production of new part prototypes to increase operational readiness.

Rapid Sustainment Modernization-RSM Technologies encompasses a range of initiatives intended to digitize and automate sustainment operations. Notable objectives include the continued development of a platform that streamlines data flow between logistics systems and digitizes production operations to increase aircraft availability and sortie generation at reduced costs. The program also supports the implementation of enterprise-wide maintenance information systems, integrated electronic technical manuals, and automation/robotics technologies for Air Force depots. Additional efforts involve the assessment and deployment of intermittent fault detection technologies and advanced compressor blade coatings to improve engine performance and sustainment outcomes.

Rapid Sustainment Modernization-AI/ML to include CBM+ is dedicated to leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and condition-based maintenance plus (CBM+) to enhance weapon system reliability and reduce unscheduled maintenance. The program invests in expanding reliability-centered maintenance algorithms, sensor-based analytics, and software enhancements for predictive maintenance. These efforts utilize databases and information systems to synchronize maintenance actions, reduce mission aborts, and decrease overall sustainment costs. The program also explores new AI/ML use cases to further optimize maintenance cycles and improve operational efficiency.

Funding for the RSM program element supports agile development processes that enable rapid response to emergent requirements, such as addressing material shortages, unscheduled maintenance, and sustainment challenges in austere environments. The budget also includes allocations for civilian pay expenses necessary to manage and execute program activities, supplementing existing civilian pay budgets in related program elements. These expenses reflect the program's need for skilled personnel to oversee technology integration and deployment.

The acquisition strategy for RSM emphasizes the evaluation and prototyping of integrated technologies in realistic operational settings. This approach is intended to address the challenges posed by aging weapon systems, diminishing manufacturing sources, and parts obsolescence, ultimately driving higher readiness and lower sustainment costs. Congressional adds in recent fiscal years have supported specific initiatives such as agile manufacturing robots, digital technology maturation, interactive instruction, and digital part transformation, further advancing the program's modernization goals.