B
oeing has just finished refurbishing one of the Air Force’s four E-4B National Airborne Operations Center aircraft. In a company statement, Boeing E-4B program manager Andy Reheis says, “With a small fleet of four aircraft, it is critical that we deliver this important national asset on cost and on schedule.” Boeing has provided programmed depot maintenance for the NAOC aircraft, which are modified 747s, for more than 26 years. The average age of the four aircraft is 32.3 years.
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.