THE CHALLENGE
The NATO Codification System (NCS) is the world-wide
standard for identification of military and civilian
government items of supply using NATO Stock Numbers
(NSNs). It is a uniform and common system for the
identification, classification and stock numbering of
items of supply, used by all NATO countries. It provides
item names, suppliers and part numbers, and
characteristics data required in all phases of logistics,
from procurement through to disposal. The system
offers linkage between NSNs and other classification
systems and is a common language of supply that
promotes tri-service and equipment interoperability
within the UK MOD and amongst NATO nations,
preventing duplication within the supply chain.
The NCS documents technical data and descriptions for
every item of supply and allocates a NATO Stock Number
based upon form, fit and function. This information is
stored on the Codification Support Information System
(CSIS) and includes details of manufacturer, supplier, and
other relevant information.
The NATO Codification System is used by the Army, Navy
and Royal Air force with all items of supply going
through the military supply chain, NATO codified. A 13-
digit NATO stock number (NSN) is allocated to each item,
which is used to identify it throughout the supply chain.
NSNs are catalogued on the CSIS database.
Inaccurate parts data contained within equipment parts
catalogues or inventory lists etc. have a significant
impact to the demand cycle, stock holdings, equipment
repair times and ultimately equipment/platform
availability and repair cost.
It is therefore essential that all parts data as defined
within the Illustrated Parts Catalogues (IPCs) or Inventory
Parts Lists are accurate; not only against the NATO CSIS
system, but also against OEM parts lists, design drawings
and other supporting information.
The items identified in the Illustrated Parts Catalogue
pivot around two key information sets; the
Manufacturer Parts Number (MPN) and the NATO Stock
Number (NSN).
CSIS provides the means by which multiple MPNs may
be listed against a single NSN, as each MPN associated
to an NSN meets the form, fit and function requirements
of that NSN, it raises the question within the
procurement process of ‘Which MPN should be used for
a particular NSN?’. To further complicate the issue, the
choice of a particular MPN for a NSN can change over
time due to changes in purchasing criteria or preference
in supplier.
Due to the labour-intensive processes and associated
costs involved in managing the NSN and MPN data, the
majority of parts lists will be out of alignment when
referenced against CSIS and OEM data.
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