Enhancing Spare Part Availability Under Extreme Supply Chain Disruption: The Role of Civilian Supply Bases in Supporting UGV Systems Resilience

Sammanfattning

This study examines how spare part availability for Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)systems can be strengthened through the use of alternative civilian component supply basesunder extreme supply chain disruption. Such disruptions may arise in contexts characterizedby armed conflict, degraded infrastructure, restricted logistics access, or the loss ofconventional supplier and original equipment manufacturer channels. The purpose of thestudy is to develop principles for resilience-oriented component sourcing that supportcontinued system operation when established supply routes are constrained, unreliable, orunavailable.The study is based on a qualitative single-case design conducted in collaboration with a UGVstartup and an established heavy vehicle manufacturer. Empirical data were collected throughsemi-structured interviews with eight respondents representing UGV development, heavyvehicle manufacturing, defense logistics, and operationally critical environments. The analysisfollowed an abductive approach, combining thematic analysis of the empirical material withtheoretical insights from supply chain resilience, spare parts logistics, alternative sourcingapproaches, and design for supply.The findings show that spare part availability under extreme disruption is shaped by fourinterrelated dimensions: operational context, component criticality, lifecycle dynamics, andorganizational dependencies. Civilian heavy vehicle supply networks can strengthenresilience by providing access to standardized components, modular architectures,component reuse opportunities, and distributed aftermarket structures. However, the findingsalso demonstrate that civilian availability alone is insufficient. To support operationalcontinuity, components must be physically compatible, performance-equivalent, identifiable,accessible within relevant time constraints, and possible to install using available tools andcompetence. The use of civilian supply bases is further limited by commercial differentiation,regulatory requirements, lifecycle mismatches, and hidden dependencies within suppliernetworks.Based on these findings, the study proposes four principles for resilience-oriented sourcingdecisions. First, spare part needs should be evaluated at the functional level rather thansolely at the component level, with priority given to functions that are critical for missioncontinuity. Second, civilian component availability must be converted into operational usabilitythrough operational adaptability. Third, components with broad and deep supply networkcommonality across platforms, applications, and aftermarket channels should be prioritized.Fourth, future availability and support continuity should be assessed alongside currentavailability, particularly for components exposed to obsolescence or software-relateddependencies.The study contributes to supply chain resilience literature by connecting resilience theory withcomponent-level sourcing decisions for complex technical systems operating under extremedisruption. It also provides practical guidance for organizations developing UGVs or similarplatforms where civilian-military integration, alternative sourcing approaches, and long-termspare part availability are strategically important. The findings are limited by the single-casedesign and the absence of operational UGV deployment data. Future research shouldvalidate the proposed principles across additional cases and examine the technical,economic, and operational feasibility of specific component substitutions.