This presentation will highlight the importance of a model-based enterprise (MBE) to sustainment and across the life cycle. Model-based X where “X” is sustainment needs to pe considered as part of the systems of systems engineering starting early in the life cycle. Computer-aided, manufacturing, inspection tools and approaches should be planned for use in sustainment to include repairs and ease of mods and upgrades to update capabilities. The complexity of managing the digital thread or tapestry is greater when sustainment is considered, with the need to linking and management the “as maintained” bill of materials for each delivered system. Application of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) supports prognostics and health management and performance feedback. System of systems modeling methods that include application of the Affordable Systems Operational Effectiveness (ASOE) framework to help organize the sustainment considerations for both the primary and enabling systems to reduce life cycle costs and improve reliability and support return on investment (ROI) case studies. There are several opportunities for leveraging digital thread for sustainment as a concentration area. The first is application of augmented/virtual/mixed reality for maintenance opportunities and supported by global subject matter expert networks. The sustainment community pull for application of advanced manufacturing approaches to include additive manufacturing also relies on distributed access to technical data packages to support manufacturing at the point of need for parts that can be printed. A third focus area is on acquisition reform focus on capability management for legacy systems to meet the challenges of the National Defense Strategy. Systems designed with standards-based architectures and interfaces can support lower cost and more agile modifications and upgrades of both hardware and software in a system.