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C-2A Given Back to Fleet in Record Time

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050914-21
Release Date: 9/14/2005 11:55:00 AM

By Bill Bartkus, NAVAIR Depot North Island Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The artisans and engineers of NAVAIR Depot North Island with the E-2/C-2 program safely delivered a C-2A Greyhound back to the fleet in record time July 21.

The aircraft was delivered in 287 days, after going through a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) using the AIRSpeed concept of Lean.

“We try to return aircraft to the fleet in as little time as possible,” said Brian Delaney, E-2/C-2 deputy program manager. “In order to achieve our goal, we implemented AIRSpeed techniques, and we started in the SLEP cell.”

Delaney said that the program uses point-of-use tooling and technical data. “By doing this, we decreased flow time,” he said.

“This is a first for the Depot and a remarkable achievement,” said Capt. Tim Trainer, Depot commanding officer. “Everyone who had a hand in returning this C-2 back to the fleet in record time should be proud of this accomplishment. I salute them all.”

“Our efforts paid off in several different ways, and the AIRSpeed tactics that we took worked to our advantage,” said Ben Duysings, program planner.

Probably the biggest problem that keeps an aircraft from leaving the Depot and going back to the fleet is getting material on time. “One of the AIRSpeed concepts that we implemented was identifying the materials that we needed to work on this aircraft as early as possible during the disassembly stage,” Duysings said. “This goes a long way in getting an aircraft on time or under time. This was a big factor in completing this aircraft sooner,” he said.

Delaney mentioned that having a second shift played a big role in getting the aircraft back into the hands of the fleet faster.

“The artisans were instrumental in getting the job done faster. “Getting the cells put together under AIRSpeed and implementing the processes helped,” said Delaney.

The C-2A is the primary means to fly people and cargo to carriers at sea, and the Navy does not have a suitable type aircraft to replace the aging Greyhound. Several years ago, the Navy decided to extend the Greyhound’s lifespan by 20,000 flight hours through SLEP. The program has been ongoing at the Depot for several years.