Purpose The objectives of the Sustainment Activity and Operations and Support Phase are to: Execute a support program that meets operational requirements …and sustainment of systems in the most cost-effective manner for the life cycle of the system Then, when the system has reached the end of its useful life, it must be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Achieving these objectives during the Sustainment Activity depends upon integrating acquisition and logistics into a single process during System Development. This requires a constant focus on: Total ownership cost Supportability as a key design and performance factor Logistics emphasis throughout the systems engineering process Meeting the challenge of joint operational support Sustainment The sustainment work effort includes all elements necessary to maintain the readiness and operational capability of deployed systems. The scope of support varies among programs but generally includes: Maintenance & Supply Transportation Sustaining engineering Configuration and data management Manpower, personnel, and training Survivability Safety Protection of Critical Program Information Information Technology supportability and interoperability Execution of operational support plans in peacetime, crisis, and wartime Programs with software components must be capable of responding to changing requirements that will necessitate software modification or periodic enhancements to fielded systems.Follow-on operational test and evaluation programs evaluate operational effectiveness, suitability, survivability, and interoperability, and identify deficiencies in newly fielded as well as aging systems. Sustainment strategies shall evolve and be refined throughout the life cycle, particularly during development of subsequent increments of an evolutionary strategy, modifications, upgrades, and reprocurement. These strategies shall include the best use of public and private sector capabilities through government/industry partnering initiatives, in accordance with statutory requirements. The DoD Components shall ensure that a flexible, performance-oriented strategy to sustain systems is developed and executed and initiate system modifications, as necessary, to improve performance and reduce ownership costs. Disposal At the end of its useful life, a system must be demilitarized and disposed. The acquisition strategy should ensure that sufficient information and resources exist so that disposal can be carried out in accordance with all legal and regulatory requirements relating to safety, security, and the environment.