If people are going to put their names on the line to spend this kind of money, they really have to be around to see the benefit. That proposal died on the vine. Boeing also is heavily involved with spares support for the aircraft, but its role varies depending on the system. They use their fleet history and PDM results, and they do a pretty good job of anticipating their needs and keeping adequate supplies on hand. The government tends to buy for two to four years' need.
Spares support does bring up a potential problem involved with such a mature aircraft.
For example, with our inertial navigation system, we were told two or three years ago that the maker that overhauled the system for us would get out of the business by 2003. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read your privacy guidelines .