USAF Kluges Efficiency Practices: The Air Force merged pieces of several civilian efficiency programs to develop its own, called “Smart Operations 21.” Officials say the program is based on both Lean and Six Sigma business process improvement tools, which were designed in the private sector to increase value for customers, save time and money, and reduce waste. Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan, commander of Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah, says the ALCs have used this process for years, now it has a name.
The Air Force wants to pump more than $12 billion over the next five years into its new affordable long-range missiles program and recently asked industry to push the flights of some of those munitions beyond 1,200 miles.