Summary: The Navy's Ship Support Improvement Project is designed to analyze and develop a maintenance system for all Navy surface ship classes. Concepts are being developed to bring about an early improvement in the ships' material condition, extend the operational use of ships, and improve material readiness. The project encompasses four major programs: (1) Guided Missile Frigate Class Support; (2) Engineered Operating Cycles; (3) Intermediate Maintenance Activity Upgrade; and (4) Maintenance System Development. The total cost of the project for fiscal years 1977 to 1983 is an estimated $644 million.
The Guided Missile Frigate Class Support program calls for small crews, modular replacement-type repairs, and progressive overhauls. Potential problem areas that could affect the success of the program include: the database, a new supply support concept, and adherence to the class maintenance plan. The Engineered Operating Cycle Program is intended to extend the interval between major ship overhauls. Problem areas for this program also involve the database on which new maintenance and logistics concepts are based. Modernization and improvement activities of shore and afloat intermediate maintenance activities may be premature for the following reasons: (1) intermediate-level maintenance work load needs to be more accurately defined; (2) the Navy needs to determine the most effective way to satisfy intermediate-level work loads; and (3) the impact of changing Navy maintenance concepts needs to be more fully evaluated. It is premature to draw any firm conclusions with regard to the Maintenance System Development Program since it is in the earliest stages.
