Integrated logistics support and operations: The Cosmo-skyMed approach for operational costs reduction optimising system performances

This paper will give an overview on how the aim of cost reduction has been pursued in Cosmo-SkyMed, an innovative distributed Earth Observation system, since the early phase of the project. In the beginning, identifying the Cosmo-SkyMed supportability characteristics in order to influence the design to reduce both design and operations costs. Later on, as the program evolved and the design reached a steady state, identifying a system by which the total system efficiency can be assessed during operational phase. The peculiarity of COSMO-SkyMed among the other Earth Observation End-to-End systems is its Dual nature (Both Civilian and Military), and its IEM (Interoperability, Expandability and Multi Mission/Multi Sensor) native characteristics. In order to achieve such ambitious mission objectives, guaranteeing the overall system operability in accordance to Mission Requirements, reducing operational costs and optimising system performances, an integrated concept between "Overall Operations" and "Logistics Support", has been developed generating the Integrated - Logistic Support & Operations (ILS&OPS) Segment, coping with Duality and IEM capabilities.