Behind the Scenes of Foreign Military Sales: The Worldwide Warehouse Redistribution Service (WWRS)

  • Published
  • By Jonathan Tharp
  • Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate
There’s a lot of details behind the scenes that go into delivering aircraft such as F-15s, F-16s and C-130s to International Partners for long-term mission success and military interoperability.

There are entire teams dedicated to logistics and the buying and selling of parts and supplies that support the aircraft. One of those teams is the Worldwide Warehouse Redistribution Service (WWRS) Program Management Office (PMO) managed by the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate (AFSAC).

WWRS has been described as the “eBay of FMS.” It’s an e-commerce service that allows Partner Nations to buy and sell spare/support equipment used for FMS- or DCS-acquired weapon systems.

 “With over 200,000 line items, the WWRS inventory has a great variety of parts for countries to shop, said Matthew Daniels, WWRS Logistics Program Manager.”

All Transactions are processed through AFSAC’s WWRS PMO maintain anonymity and confidentiality of the countries doing the buying and selling. For each transaction, the selling country sends its item for sale to the In transit-Inspection Point (IIP) in Centerville, Ohio. The IIP staff removes all country-specific markings, performs an equipment inspection, and prepares it for a buying country.

Affordable Parts for the Latest and Legacy Airpower Weapon Systems

When a Partner Nation purchases a U.S. Air Force weapon system, 70 percent of the cost is in sustainment – long term operations – of the system. A significant aspect of long-term operations is being able to source affordable spare/support equipment when needed.

WWRS is an extremely affordable source of supply for FMS- or DCS-acquired weapon systems. On average, WWRS inventory prices are 28 percent below the Department of Defense stock list prices.

“The WWRS inventory also includes parts of legacy USAF aircraft like the F-4 that Partner Nations still fly, , added Daniels.

A Tri-Service Solution for Partner Nations

WWRS is tri-service too. Partner Nations can shop WWRS inventory for USAF, Army, and Navy weapon systems. This feature is an added convenience for countries, and it can also save time by looking in one place for all services.

Reduce Excess FMS Inventories of Partner Nations

Another great benefit of the WWRS program is the ability to reduce excess FMS inventories of Partner Nations. For example, if Country A has excess spare/support parts for its F-16 aircraft, then Country A can list it for sale in the WWRS inventory. Another country flying the F-16 aircraft can shop the WWRS inventory for spare/support parts for its F-16 capability. First, AFSAC facilitates a two-party transfer with the selling country. Second, AFSAC facilitates a two-party transfer with the buying country.

Faster Lead Times than New Procurement

Since WWRS leverages existing inventory of spare/support parts for FMS- and DCS-acquired materiel, a Partner Nation can purchase a spare/support part with faster lead times than new procurement. The average delivery time from the WWRS facility in Centerville, Ohio to a buying country is 81 days. That timeframe could jump up to a year for new procurement.

For Selling Countries, Recoup Costs Excess FMS Inventories

WWRS is an excellent way for Partner Nations to recoup costs from FMS in inventories. For example, if Country A is operating the F-15 aircraft and has excess parts, then Country A can list its excess inventory in WWRS. Other countries operating the F-15 can anonymously purchase the parts. The Seller decides where the proceeds go from a sale. For example, the proceeds can go to the national treasury of Country A or it may be returned to the WWRS Seller case. There are many different options available to the Seller. At the end of the day, it is the Seller decision where to put the proceeds.

BONUS: United States Government (USG) Organizations can Buy from WWRS

As an additional feature, a USG organization can purchase items from the WWRS inventory. This capability creates additional demand for Partner Nations’ excess FMS- and DCS-acquired inventory.

How to Search the WWRS Inventory

Visit the following web page: https://afsac4.wpafb.af.mil/wwrs. In the form labeled “Search Our Inventory,” input a National Stock Number (NSN) for a part you need and click “Search.” You can also click “Download Entire Inventory” to view an Excel CSV file of all inventory items by NSN. You can also follow the WWRS Facebook Page here: https://www.facebook.com/Worldwide-Warehouse-Redistribution-Services-107242351138275. Daniels encourages Partner Nations to follow the page as the WWRS PMO will periodically post items for sale and other program updates.