Analysis of the F/A-18 E/F Integrated Readiness Support Teaming (FIRST) Program (Draft)

Department of Defense logistics are under increasing pressure to reduce their cost of operations. As a result of many years of reliability and aging aircraft issues facing our Naval Aviation Fleet, a maintenance support contract has been developed to attempt to maintain the high reliability of the F/A-18 E/F type aircraft. Although contract logistics support has been around since World War II, the F/A-18 E/F Integrated Readiness Support Teaming program (FIRST) has extended this support to a new level as the contractor virtually assumes the role as the Inventory Control Point for this aircraft. This research examines F/A-18 E/F program reliability and supportability issues. We assess the FIRST contract with particular regard to how this contract will affect the parts supportability aspects as well as the maintainability/reliability rates of the aircraft and life cycle costs. An important part of this research effort is the literature review. As yet, there are no studies available on the FIRST draft that might have assisted in evaluating the program. We obtained copies of the FIRST draft along with the Task Description Document and the Awards Fee Plan. The resulting analysis and conclusions discuss these elements and provide recommendations for improvement.Naval Postgraduate School Monterey CA is the author of 'Analysis of the F/A-18 E/F Integrated Readiness Support Teaming (FIRST) Program (Draft)', published 2001 under ISBN 9781423527671 and ISBN 1423527674.