Be it our military or our commercial sector, everyone seems to be pushing for the next new thing in America. That’s great, but what if the old things are ultimately more critical to our national and economic security? Take the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, which has been in continuous service in the defense of our nation for more than 70 years. Not only has it played a vital role in the war with Iran, but there are even plans to keep our fleet of B-52s active and combat ready into the 2050s.

Yes, innovation is always needed militarily and economically. But a cost analysis of keeping the old things up and running can not only produce taxpayer savings of millions to billions of dollars, but an optimum readiness factor needed to keep our nation secure as new things are dreamed up, built, tested and eventually brought online. Another critical example of a desperately needed old thing is the U.S Navy’s fleet of Ohio Class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Why is that class of submarine so critical?

Many believe it served — and continues to serve — as the key in the U.S. nuclear-deterrent triad, which also includes the U.S. Air Force strategic bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles. And yet, the most important piece of the military triad preventing a nuclear attack upon the United States is going on 45 years old and counting. Innovation is not limited to bringing new technology and products online but also servicing existing and vital materiel. Unfortunately, many believe the People’s Republic of China is outpacing the United States. Echoing this new reality was a piece in National Defense University Press, which highlighted evidence that “three U.S. military Services (Marines, Army, and Air Force) [are] probably logistically unsustainable.”

The piece then cuts to the chase with this observation: “This is even more disturbing because a survey of historical Great Power wars — and a specific study of China’s likely military options—strongly suggests that logistics is likely to be the primary determinant of military success or failure.”In the greater world of logistics, it is often the little things that matter but don’t get the needed recognition or priority. I was reminded of this during a recent conversation with an Air Force general, who stressed repeatedly that acquisition costs pale in comparison to lifecycle costs.

He gave an example that had never crossed my mind, and I suspect I'm not alone: the vital need to replace old rivets (fasteners) in collectively thousands of military and commercial aircraft. It’s something the People’s Republic of China already excels at. Fortunately, the general stated that they have identified a state-of-the-art technology that can replace old fasteners 20 times more efficiently via robotics. Faster, cheaper, better and safer is a critical advantage in the growing logistics war against China.

Be it the replacement of millions of old rivets on aircraft or the continual updating of our submarine fleet, keeping the old things battle ready and up to date is mandatory when it comes to keeping pace with our nation’s number one adversary. This point was hammered home in the conclusion of the National Defense University piece: “the U.S. military faces the greatest logistical challenge of its history, in a conflict where logistics is likely to be determinative. … To overcome these challenges, America must invigorate the culture, organization, and mindset of its logistics communities.”Unfortunately, that message has not yet settled in among all the key decisionmakers.

Maybe as they are traveling to their next meeting aboard a 30-year-old commercial or military aircraft, they might begin by focusing on the potential age of the rivets in the wings, then mentally work their way through the rest of the logistical replacement progression needed to keep the U.S. on top. At that exact moment, the old thing might seem incredibly important. Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.