American Forces Press Service (Nov. 30, 2004): 'lean' team lauded for manufacturing-technology advances.

WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The sixth annual Defense Manufacturing Technology Achievement Award was presented Nov. 30 at the Defense Manufacturing Conference in Las Vegas.

John B. Todaro, director of the Department of Defense's technology transition office, presented the award to the Air Force's lean depot repair initiative. The Army's uniform cannon tube reshaping program also received the award.

The award recognizes defense and private sector individuals or small groups responsible for developing innovative manufacturing processes that improve the affordability, cycle time, readiness, and availability of weapon systems and components.

The lean team--consisting of representatives from the Air Force Materiel Command and Air Force Research Laboratory, both at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; and Simpler Consulting, of Ottumwa, Iowa--was recognized for implementing procedures at the logistics center.

"This lean approach revolutionized the programmed depot maintenance lines for F-15 [Eagle] and C-5 [Galaxy] aircraft, generating dramatic payback for the warfighter in the form of reduced repair time, increased on-time return of aircraft to the field, and lower maintenance cost," according to a news release from the deputy undersecretary for advanced systems and concepts.

The release reported that in fiscal 2000, only 25 percent of C-5 aircraft were returned to their units on time. That figure increased to 100 percent in fiscal 2004. Likewise, the on-time return of F-15 aircraft to the active fleet increased from 12 percent in fiscal 2000 to 80 percent in 2004.

"As a result of this remarkable achievement, lean depot practices are being expanded across the defense industrial base, including arsenals, depots, and shipyards," the release stated.