Title: Lean strategies for scheduled maintenance operations

Authors: Christopher B. Chandler; Malini Natarajarathinam; Wei Lu; Aparajit Koshal

Addresses: Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, 466 Ross St, College Station, TX 77843, USA ' Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, 466 Ross St, College Station, TX 77843, USA ' Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, 466 Ross St, College Station, TX 77843, USA ' Department of Industrial and System Engineering, Texas A&M University, 101 Bizzell Street, College Station, TX 77843, USA

Abstract: As the E-6B airframe ages, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the minimum requirements for fleet ready for tasking (RFT) aircraft assets. The research conducted in this project has the primary focus of finding solutions to this problem that will ultimately increase the number of RFT aircraft in the E-6B community. The E-6B operates in support of United States Strategic Command, providing a survivable airborne nuclear communication platform in support of nuclear deterrence. This paper evaluates lean strategies in relation to the scheduled maintenance program of the E-6B and details the results of a manpower study and potential manpower solution utilising lean principles with relation to manpower.

Keywords: phase inspection; manpower management; manpower utilisation; ready for tasking; RFT; process improvement; human capital; lean production; creating value; lean scheduled maintenance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2020.110962

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2020 Vol.22 No.3, pp.379 - 395

Received: 27 Sep 2018
Accepted: 25 Apr 2019
Published online: 03 Nov 2020 *

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