US Navy decides to ‘Turn & Burn’
By late 2015, half the F/A-18 Hornet fleet was grounded by a maintenance crisis. A Quick turn around was essential.
“We’ve been underway in that process now for a year, and we have already increased the depot throughput by 40%.”
Rear Adm. Michael Manazir / Director, Naval Airfare—In testimony to the House Armed Services Committee.
The Navy had pushed the jets well past the 6,000 flight-hour service limit. With delays in the delivery of the F-35, scheduled to replace the F/A-18 in 2020, there was a critical need to increase the pace of MRO projects. The clock was ticking, and for the US Navy's leadership, the stakes were high.