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Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support’s (NAVSUP WSS) H-53 Integrated Weapon Support Team (IWST) achieved a significant milestone by placing 39 ‘A’ condition Engine Air Starters in wholesale for the first time since 2018. As a result, the H-53 community is currently seeing record readiness rates, averaging 68 Mission Capable aircraft.
The IWST reduced a backlog of 169 backorders, including 80 Inventory Priority Group 1 backorders, to zero and was further able to stock 39 ‘A’ condition assets in wholesale in Mar. ‘A’ condition means the material is new or repaired and ready for use by the fleet.
NAVSUP WSS worked with Eaton, the Original Equipment Manufacturer, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and Fleet Readiness Center East (FRC-E) in order to support this effort.
The IWST began engaging Eaton in Feb. 2019 regarding the reestablishment of manufacturing capabilities for this asset.
“Through the partnership,” according to Marc Diaz, NAVSUP WSS H-53 IWST deputy director, “Eaton was able to facilitate a cold production line restart of spares to support the flight line as repairs were carcass constrained.” This allowed for the generation of new spares, repairs and upgrades of other configurations.
This Engine Air Starter received a high-level of attention and involved a monthly sync with leadership to discuss the initiative.
"At the high point of backorders, the commander of NAVSUP WSS was heavily involved. It is a true testament to the success of the team to have ‘A’ condition assets on the wholesale shelf today," said Maj. Emilie Monaghan, NAVSUP WSS H-53 IWST director.
There were multiple challenges associated with the Engine Air Starter which compounded repair efforts for a long time. There were multiple piece part inhibitors for repairs, configuration challenges, and test bench bottlenecks.
"The different configurations of the Engine Air Starter are interchangeable, but the piece parts for the two styles are completely different," explained Maj. Monaghan.
This led to difficulties in fixing the different configurations at FRC-E, leading NAVSUP WSS to seek out Eaton to stand up as not only a second repair source but also the source for difficult to procure piece parts.
"We are currently engaged with both Eaton and FRC-E to align goals under a Public Private Partnership,” explained Diaz, “in which Eaton would directly contract with FRC-E for future support, thus eliminating competition on piece part support."
Additionally, Eaton has been able to work with NAVAIR engineers on their new repair manuals. Thus, aligning both Eaton and FRC-E's repair procedures.
“The goal of this partnership is to improve piece part availability,” said Ashley Steffney, NAVSUP WSS Propulsion Lead, “and continue to keep our naval forces mission ready.”
NAVSUP WSS is one of 11 commands under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and employing a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel, NAVSUP's mission is to provide supplies, services, and quality-of-life support to the Navy and joint warfighter. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsupwss and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 04.08.2022 15:21 |
| Story ID: | 418152 |
| Location: | PHILADELPHIA, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 646 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Engine Air Starter reaches wholesale material availability for first time in four years, by Tristan Pavlik, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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