Quantifying the Impact of Maintenance Manpower on Helicopter Readiness in the Army National Guard
Abstract
This Institute for Defense Analyses research quantifies the relationship between maintenance manpower investments and H-60 helicopter readiness in the Army National Guard (ARNG). Using causal econometric methods, IDA researchers find that increasing the number of military technician (MilTech) mechanics at ARNG Army aviation support facilities (AASFs) of all sizes reduces helicopter maintenance timelines to a statistically significant extent. Grouping faults into contiguous fault spell downtime events, we estimate that an additional MilTech mechanic decreases average fault spell duration by 0.7 to 1.1 (depending on baseline MilTech staffing levels). Downtime reductions were greatest for maintenance facilities with fewer initial MilTech mechanics. These downtime reductions accumulate over ARNG H-60 NMC resolution maintenance at the AASF level. We estimate that the addition of a single MilTech mechanic to each ARNG AASF would produce 23 to 30 additional mission capable (MC) hours per H-60 helicopter, or 3.2 additional ready helicopter years across the ARNGs fiscal year 2019 H-60 fleet. These results can provide targeted readiness-enhancing staffing recommendations appropriate for a resource constrained environment by informing placement of additional MilTech mechanics. Per additional ready H-60 helicopter year, we found that additional MilTech manpower is a more cost-effective way to improve readiness than borrowing or buying additional UH-60M Black Hawks.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1165091
Entities
People
- Christopher M. Sampah
- John W. Dennis
- Joseph M. King
- Julie A. Lockwood
- Michael R. Guggisberg
- Minerva S. Song
- Nathaniel T. Latshaw
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses