Defining Sustainment for Engineered Systems—A Technology and Systems View

Abstract

Sustainment and sustainability are concepts that have pervaded recent engineering culture. Although the popular media often associates sustainability with environmental and socio-ecological constructs, it is a widely used and understood concept with application to many technology, system, and business areas that extend beyond a socio-ecological context. This paper discusses the usage of the term sustainment, proposes a general definition of sustainment that conflates ecological, social, political, economic and technological interests, and provides recommendations that broaden the perspective.