LYNN, Massachusetts - The Department of Defense has selected GE's F404 as the winner of its first annual Performance Based Logistics (PBL) award in the sub-system category for its achievement in providing F-18 warfighter with outstanding operational capability.
PBL is the Department of Defense's innovative strategy to improve weapon system readiness, reduce backorders and improve maintenance turn times by purchasing weapon system support as an integrated package based on defined measurements. The award was presented jointly to GE and Naval Inventory Control Point Philadelphia at the recent Aerospace Industries Association product Support Conference in Hilton Head, S.C.
"Our PBL experience has demonstrated the benefits we expected and shows how teaming between military and industry can substantially improve component availability while reducing cost," said F404/F414 general manager Chuck Nugent.
Since an initial, $510 million PBL contract was launched with the U.S. Navy Depot in Jacksonville, FL in 2003, spare parts availability has improved by 40% for select F404 subassemblies, with a 30% reduction in scrap and repair cycle times. This initiative has led to similar contracts for F414 engines and a September, 2005 contract to supply more than 2,500 components for F404 engines at the Defense Logistics Agency at Richmond, Va.
The F404 is a standard for the modern fighter aircraft, combining high performance and reliability with multi-mission capabilities. More than 4,000 F404 engines have been delivered, powering F/A-18 Hornets of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, USAF F-117 Stealth Fighters, as well as Hornets for the air forces of Australia, Canada, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland. F404 derivatives power India's Light Combat Aircraft, Singapore's A-4SU Super Skyhawk, Sweden's JAS 39 Gripen, and Korea's T-50 Golden Eagle.
GE - Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of jet engines for civil and military aircraft.