Which statement about parts standardization is true?

• A. It seeks to use existing parts and equipment rather than designing, developing and producing new parts.
• B. It requires designing new parts for every platform.
• C. It increases development time.
• D. It has no effect on cost.

Answer: (A)

Parts standardization aims to maximize reuse by using existing parts and equipment across platforms rather than designing new parts for each one. This approach reduces design and production effort, lowers procurement and maintenance costs, and speeds up development and fielding, which is a core benefit in performance-based logistics. The idea that you must design new parts for every platform goes against standardization, since the whole point is to avoid unique parts wherever possible. It also typically shortens development time, not lengthens it, and it clearly affects cost by lowering life-cycle expenses through economies of scale and simpler supply chains.