A decade ago, three out of four of the Navy’s fighter and electronic warfare jets were not fit for combat. This prompted the service to set a goal for 80-percent mission-capable rates, which they achieved in one year. Currently, the Navy is aiming to replicate this success with its surface and submarine fleets.
To improve readiness, the Navy is applying lessons learned from its aviation readiness crisis. Admiral Jim Kilby, the acting chief of naval operations, highlighted the importance of reducing maintenance turnaround times during a speech at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space conference. He reported a 59 percent decrease in maintenance-hour turnaround time and a 30 percent reduction in operational maintenance hours, with inspections cut from 14 days to three days.
As it stands, the surface force is at 68 percent deployable status, while the submarine force is at 67 percent. Aircraft carriers and their air wings are at 70 percent. Although Kilby’s predecessor, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, viewed the 80 percent goal as a “stretch goal,” Kilby argued that it is necessary to push boundaries and reassess operational processes.
To achieve the objective, significant changes are being made to preparation for scheduled maintenance. Vice Admiral Brendan McLane, head of Naval Surface Forces, emphasized the need for strategic planning six months in advance, while Vice Admiral Jim Downey, head of Naval Sea Systems Command, pointed out the necessity of ordering materials ahead of time to avoid delays caused by unexpected repairs. He noted that historically, a substantial proportion of necessary materials were ordered only after the repair work commenced, sometimes nearly 50 percent.
Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher, head of Naval Submarine Forces, also advocated for a “just-in-case” mindset regarding material procurement to ensure parts are available when unexpected issues arise during maintenance. Despite a government-wide hiring freeze, shipyard workers are exempt, which is beneficial as the Navy plans to hire 200,000 technicians over the next decade to enhance maintenance and shipbuilding capabilities.
Furthermore, the Navy seeks collaboration with private shipyards to improve planning and resource availability. Admiral Kilby urged industry partners to be transparent in their planning processes to better align efforts in achieving operational goals.
