Munition
s specialists at Ramstein AB, Germany saved the Air Force more than $31 million by doing the overhaul of 63 advanced medium range air-to-air missiles themselves. Airmen of the 435th Munitions Squadron worked with Raytheon contract technicians to transfer rocket motors from older AIM-120A AMRAAMs to the newer AIM-120B and C models. It took them three years. As they gained experience, they advanced from completing two a day to six per day.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.