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Article
Publication date: 12 May 2020

Michael Weber, Daniel Steeneck and William Cunningham

This paper aims to measure the effect of supply discrepancy reports (SDRs) on military aircraft readiness metrics, including aircraft availability, not mission capable supply…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to measure the effect of supply discrepancy reports (SDRs) on military aircraft readiness metrics, including aircraft availability, not mission capable supply (NMCS) hours, cannibalizations and mission-impaired capability awaiting parts (MICAP) hours.

Design/methodology/approach

Monthly SDR, NMCS, aircraft cannibalizations and MICAP data from 2009 to 2018 are analyzed using linear regression and independent samples t-tests to examine whether discrepant shipments negatively impact aircraft readiness.

Findings

Results of linear regression were significant in 4 of 12 analyses, suggesting that SDRs are a significant predictor of increased cannibalizations. Results of independent samples t-tests found MICAP hours were significantly higher on discrepant shipments compared to nondiscrepant shipments in all three analyses.

Practical implications

This research will increase awareness of the extent to which SDRs degrade aircraft readiness, and provide an opportunity for United States Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain leaders to take action to improve order fulfillment performance in their organizations.

Originality/value

Little research has been done investigating the impact of SDRs within the DoD, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous study has examined the effect of SDRs on military aircraft readiness metrics.

Details

Journal of Defense Analytics and Logistics, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2399-6439

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 March 2017

Aleksandar Knezevic, Ljubisa Vasov, Slavisa Vlacic and Cedomir Kostic

The purpose of this paper is to define conditions under which improved availability of fleet of G-4 jet trainers is obtained, and optimization of intermediate-level maintenance…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to define conditions under which improved availability of fleet of G-4 jet trainers is obtained, and optimization of intermediate-level maintenance through imperfect maintenance model application. This research has been conducted based on available knowledge, and experience gained by performing intermediate-level maintenance of Serbian Air Force aircrafts.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the data collected from daily maintenance reports, and the analysis of maintenance technology and organization, was performed. Based on research results, a reliability study was performed. Implementation of imperfect maintenance with its models of maintenance policies (especially a quasi-renewal process and its treating of reliability and optimal maintenance) was proposed to define new maintenance parameters so that the greater level of availability could be achieved.

Findings

The proposed methodology can potentially be applied as a simple tool to estimate the present maintenance parameters and to quickly point out some deficiencies in the analyzed maintenance organization. Validation of this process was done by conducting a reliability case study of G-4 jet trainer fleet, and numerical computations of optimal maintenance policy.

Research limitations/implications

The methodology of the availability estimation when reliability parameters were not tracked by the maintenance organization, and optimization of intermediate-level maintenance, has so far been applied on G-4 jet trainers. Moreover, it can be potentially applied to other aircraft types.

Originality/value

Availability estimation and proposed optimization of intermediate maintenance is based on a survey of data for three years of aircraft fleet maintenance. It enables greater operational readiness (due to a military rationale) with possible cost reduction as a consequence but not as a goal.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 September 2023

Suzan Alaswad and Sinan Salman

While steady-state analysis is useful, it does not consider the inherent transient characteristics of repairable systems' behavior, especially in systems that have relatively…

Abstract

Purpose

While steady-state analysis is useful, it does not consider the inherent transient characteristics of repairable systems' behavior, especially in systems that have relatively short life spans, or when their transient behavior is of special concern such as the motivating example used in this paper, military systems. Therefore, a maintenance policy that considers both transient and steady-state availability and aims to achieve the best trade-off between high steady-state availability and rapid stabilization is essential.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper studies the transient behavior of system availability under the Kijima Type II virtual age model. While such systems achieve steady-state availability, and it has been proved that deploying preventive maintenance (PM) can significantly improve its steady-state availability, this improvement often comes at the price of longer and increased fluctuating transient behavior, which affects overall system performance. The authors present a methodology that identifies the optimal PM policy that achieves the best trade-off between high steady-state availability and rapid stabilization based on cost-availability analysis.

Findings

When the proposed simulation-based optimization and cost analysis methodology is applied to the motivating example, it produces an optimal PM policy that achieves an availability–variability balance between transient and steady-state system behaviors. The optimal PM policy produces a notably lower availability coefficient of variation (by 11.5%), while at the same time suffering a negligible limiting availability loss of only 0.3%. The new optimal PM policy also provides cost savings of about 5% in total maintenance cost. The performed sensitivity analysis shows that the system's optimal maintenance cost is sensitive to the repair time, the shape parameter of the Weibull distribution and the downtime cost, but is robust with respect to changes in the remaining parameters.

Originality/value

Most of the current maintenance models emphasize the steady-state behavior of availability and neglect its transient behavior. For some systems, using steady-state availability as the sole metric for performance is not adequate, especially in systems that have relatively short life spans or when their transient behavior affects the overall performance. However, little work has been done on the transient analysis of such systems. In this paper, the authors aim to fill this gap by emphasizing such systems and applications where transient behavior is of critical importance to efficiently optimize system performance. The authors use military systems as a motivating example.

Details

International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, vol. 41 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-671X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 March 2016

Sreedhar Karunakaran

The purpose of this paper is to eliminate the wastes and inefficient procedures in the maintenance organization of aircraft so as to reduce its downtime and increase mission…

1693

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to eliminate the wastes and inefficient procedures in the maintenance organization of aircraft so as to reduce its downtime and increase mission availability.

Design/methodology/approach

Customized lean Six Sigma (LSS) was applied at the task level and servicing cycle level to reduce the task content, cycle length and resources in servicing. The loading of the servicing facility was simulated through a simulation program developed from a statistical analysis of historical data for validating/simulating/determining optimum loading of servicing facility with refined tasks, reduced cycle length and resources. In simulation, the optimum combination of manpower, resources and infrastructure at the facility level was determined through sensitive analysis and design of experiments (DoE).

Findings

Optimization at the task level and its re-organization at the servicing cycle level reduced the cycle length by 55-68 per cent and manpower resources by 26 per cent. This further reduced facility-level manpower by 25 to 40 per cent, capacity requirements by more than 33 per cent and annual aircraft downtime by 78 per cent. The approach reduced the average number of aircraft undergoing servicing at each airbase at any time from 2.35 to just 0.76 and increased the mission availability to 20 per cent.

Originality/value

The hallmark of the paper has been the design of LSS approach from structured historical data and its validation through innovative simulation. The multi-pronged bottom-up approach practically bundles all wastes resident in the maintenance organization. The paper provides cursory approach to lean practitioners in the elimination of wastes in the maintenance of capital assets like aircraft.

Details

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-4166

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 August 2014

Huawei Wang, Jun Gao and Haiqiao Wu

The purpose of this paper is to analyze parameters that influence direct maintenance cost (DMC) in the civil aircraft operational phase. Reducing direct maintenance cost of civil…

2091

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze parameters that influence direct maintenance cost (DMC) in the civil aircraft operational phase. Reducing direct maintenance cost of civil aircrafts is one of the important ways to improve economy. DMC prediction can provide decision support for the optimization of the design parameters optimization to realize the objection in decreasing the maintenance cost, and it can also improve the aircraft competitiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper analyzes some parameters comprehensively, which influence DMC in the civil aircraft’s operational phase. Based on the analysis of the influential parameters and the characteristics of data in the period of civil aircraft’s designing period, the paper presents prediction support method based on fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM) and realizes quantitative forecast of DMC in the aircraft design phase.

Findings

The paper presents the process of DMC analysis and model in the aircraft design phase, the DMC prediction model is used in newly developed aircrafts.

Practical implications

The numerical examples using B737NP fleet data in the paper have proved the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Originality/value

The paper establishes the prediction model of civil aircraft DMC based on FSVM. The model can handle fuzzy data and small sample data which contain noise. The results prove that the method can satisfy the demand of the real data in civil aircraft designing.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 86 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 October 2015

A. Shanmugam and T. Paul Robert

The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on human factors in aircraft maintenance and to analyze and synthesize the findings in the literature on human factors…

3942

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a literature review on human factors in aircraft maintenance and to analyze and synthesize the findings in the literature on human factors engineering in aircraft maintenance.

Design/methodology/approach

The review adopts a threefold approach: searching and collecting the scientific literature; sorting them on the basis of relevance and applications; and review of the scientific evidences. Broad areas of aircraft maintenance regulations are identified and each area was explored to study the level of scientific growth and publications. Notable theories, models and concepts are being summarized.

Findings

Application of human factor principles in aviation spread beyond the technical arena of man-machine interface. The discipline has created a great impact on aircraft design, operations and maintenance. Its applications have percolated into design of aircraft maintenance facilities, task cards and equipment. Human factor concepts are being used for maintenance resource management. The principles are applied to shape the safety behavior and culture in aviation maintenance workplace. Nevertheless, the review unfolds immense potential for future research.

Research limitations/implications

Research outcomes of non-aviation studies are also reviewed and consolidated to extend the applications to the aviation industry.

Practical implications

This review would be a consolidated source of information confining to the physical aspect of human factors engineering in aircraft maintenance. It is intended to serve as a quick reference guide to the researchers and maintenance practitioners.

Social implications

It brought out the benefits of adopting the principles of human factor engineering in aircraft maintenance. Application of human factor philosophy ensures enhanced safety in air transport, personal safety and well-being of maintenance personnel.

Originality/value

This is a unique review based on aircraft maintenance regulations that are baseline performance standards made mandatory by regulatory authorities. Therefore, the review has been considered to be made on aircraft maintenance regulatory requirements that surpass corporate or competitive strategies in aviation maintenance organization.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 21 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1999

Paul F. Cini and Paul Griffith

BAe Airbus has studied the application of the maintenance free operating period (MFOP) concept to Airbus aircraft in order to meet a growing demand for autonomous operation. This…

981

Abstract

BAe Airbus has studied the application of the maintenance free operating period (MFOP) concept to Airbus aircraft in order to meet a growing demand for autonomous operation. This concept can apply to both civil and military aircraft and, most recently, has resulted in Airbus Military Company including the MFOP as part of its formal proposal for a new military transport aircraft. The paper concludes that it is difficult to predict the progress in further improving the levels of MFOP achievement, but that the final solution is likely to be a “pick and mix” of techniques, technologies and disciplines integrated under a “supportability” banner.

Details

Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, vol. 5 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2511

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 July 2019

Selladurai Pitchaimuthu, Jitesh J. Thakkar and P.R.C. Gopal

Risk management in defence aircraft industry has considerable interest among academics and practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to develop interactions among risk factors…

Abstract

Purpose

Risk management in defence aircraft industry has considerable interest among academics and practitioners. The purpose of this paper is to develop interactions among risk factors dimensions (RFDs) and inspect the importance relationship among the performance measures in Indian aircraft industry and, finally, understand the effect of involvements provided by the managerial team on risk reduction process.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review was carried out to identify 26 risk parameters and 13 performance measure indices relevant for an aircraft industry. Survey method was used to obtain the importance of these parameters and measures. Further, these factors are grouped into five risk dimensions based on the brain storming session by the project managers. Initially, Risk factors for defense aircraft industry (RFDs) analyzed by Interpretative structural model (ISM) to know the contextual relationship among the RFDs and then applied Interpretive ranking process (IRP) to inspect the pre-eminence relationship among them. Finally, SD is applied to understand the effect of involvements provided by the managerial team on risk reduction process.

Findings

Government policy and legal RFDs has emerged as the key driving RFDs. In IRP modelling, technology RFD has emerged as more influential RFD which is the more relevant factor with respect to performance measure indices and this result is supported by detailed sensitivity analysis of system dynamic model.

Originality/value

The outcomes of this research can help project management team to identify the high severity risk factors which need immediate risk reduction/mitigation action.

Details

Measuring Business Excellence, vol. 23 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-3047

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2014

Nigel Caldwell and Mickey Howard

– The aim of the paper is to identify and review the impact and challenges of new contractual arrangements on UK military procurement and other limited or oligopolistic markets.

3045

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to identify and review the impact and challenges of new contractual arrangements on UK military procurement and other limited or oligopolistic markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The unit of analysis is the large-scale procurement programme. Two cases of major military platforms (naval and air defence) examine through-life maintenance or “contracting for availability” and build theory on procuring complex performance (PCP). Propositions are developed from the literature then tested and extended from the case analysis, supported by 35 interviews from buyer and supplier representatives.

Findings

Examining UK military platform procurement reveals a perspective not present in fast moving high volume supply chains. In oligopolistic markets such as defence, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) represents a market of one, seeking ambitious and non-incremental innovation from the prime contractor during the procurement process. The new contractual arrangements show an increasing shift in responsibility to the prime contractor who coordinates service support and supply chain incentivisation over extended, often multi-decade platform lifecycles.

Research limitations/implications

The cases were conducted separately and later compared. Whilst based on defence sources, the paper concludes with general recommendations for all public-private complex procurements and seeks to explore other industry sectors as part of further research into PCP.

Originality/value

Examined from a theoretical and practical perspective, the cases reveal the challenges facing procurement in major public-private projects. The changing role identified reflects extended timescales and the quasi-market military procurement environment, compounded by current economic and politically charged conditions. Procurement by default increasingly plays a new shaping role in large-scale programme management driven by outcome-based contracting. Customers such as the MOD must re-evaluate their role under these new contractual arrangements, providing leadership and engaging with future contracting capability and innovation.

Details

International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 34 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-3577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2017

Peter Tatham, Craig Neal and Yong Wu

Recent advances in aviation technology have seen the development of helium-filled “hybrid cargo airships” (HCAs) which have the potential to convey large payloads over significant…

1670

Abstract

Purpose

Recent advances in aviation technology have seen the development of helium-filled “hybrid cargo airships” (HCAs) which have the potential to convey large payloads over significant distances at relatively low cost and with a small carbon footprint. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how such HCAs could be used to improve the logistic response to a rapid onset disaster.

Design/methodology/approach

Through consideration of three recent natural disasters (Typhoon Haiyan – The Philippines – 2013; The Nepal Earthquake – 2015; Cyclone Winston – Fiji – 2016), and drawing on both academic and practitioner literature, this paper provides an overview of how HCAs could potentially provide logistic support to those affected by similar disasters. The paper considers two scenarios: one in which the HCA replaces local truck or sea-based transport from an international airport to the disaster area, and the other in which it operates directly from a United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot to the disaster area.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that, when compared with the actual response to these three exemplar disasters, in the first scenario the use of HCAs provides a significantly faster but more expensive response; whereas in the second scenario, the timeline to supply is longer, but the costs are considerably less.

Research limitations/implications

This paper is conceptual in nature, but has been developed through an analysis of the literature related to both HCAs and humanitarian logistics. Given that the emerging generation of HCAs has yet to become fully operational, it will be important to continue to monitor their development and analyse the emerging speed/time/cost parameters in order to ascertain how HCAs might be optimally integrated into the logistic response to a disaster.

Practical implications

The significant cargo carrying capacity of an HCA together with its ability to operate from and into ad hoc locations (including those on water) would enable direct delivery from an international airhead or humanitarian response depot to an affected area. This has clear potential to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility of post-disaster logistic operations.

Originality/value

Whilst there is some emerging discussion of the humanitarian-related use of HCAs in the literature, this generally reflects the technical aspects such as flight control systems and the actual operation of the airships. This paper is the first to offer a practical analysis of how HCAs might be used to support the work of the humanitarian logistician.

Details

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, vol. 7 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-6747

Keywords

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