Cause of EA-6B cannibalizations

Abstract

Cannibalization of any system is defined as replacing a defective part or component of one system with an in-use part or component from another system. Cannibalizations are an integral part of high tempo operations where aircraft and weapon systems fail and must be repaired on the spot and immediately deployed. However, there has been an every increasing reliance on cannibalizations in some aviation communities over the past three years. Cannibalizations have several undesirable affects on a system for several reasons. First, they triple the work of maintenance personnel, due to switching parts with another aircraft, in essence impairing an aircraft and repairing both aircraft to complete a single maintenance action. Second, removing parts multiple times between aircraft while conducting cannibalizations reduces the reliability of parts. Third, improper or lack of documentation of cannibalizations underreports the severity of the problem and hides. inefficiencies. New innovative practices and techniques to improve the documentation of cannibalizations and reduce the total number of cannibalizations that occur are needed.