An economic and operational feasibility analysis of the elimination of a shipboard aircraft intermediate maintenance department

Abstract

A decreased budget for the Department of Defense forces examination of methods to reduce costs. One method that involves Naval aircraft maintenance is to consolidate all intermediate level aircraft maintenance at a the shore AIMD and eliminate the shipboard AIMD. Shipboard support for the aircraft is provided with an increased AVCAL. Aviation 3M data from the May to November 1989 deployment of the USS America (CV 66) is examined to estimate the economic and operational feasibility of the elimination of the shipboard AIMD. The analysis examines the present method of aircraft intermediate level maintenance support and the proposed method of intermediate level support in accordance with the current instructions and directives. The material requirements, manpower, and methods of maintenance in each system are analyzed and the differences between the systems are highlighted. The analysis revealed that the costs required to implement the proposed system are quite large. The changes required to dismantle the shipboard maintenance activities and expand the shore facilities require extensive investment. It was found that this investment would not be recovered swiftly because changes in proposed support methodology generate additional costs.