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NAVAIR PMA-275 receives Packard Award for cost-per-flight-hour reduction across Osprey fleet

PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Nov. 2, 2011 -- The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter -- Textron [NYSE: TXT], today congratulated the Naval Air Systems Command Joint V-22 Program (NAVAIR PMA-275) on receiving the U.S. Department of Defense 2011 Packard Award for acquisition excellence. NAVAIR PMA-275 earned the honor for significantly reducing costs-per-flight-hour (CPFH) across the operational V-22 Osprey fleet.

Since 2009, NAVAIR PMA-275 has teamed with industry partners, including Bell Boeing and suppliers, on a focused effort to reduce CPFH across the V-22 Osprey fleet. As a direct result of the CPFH Reduction Team's work, the actual costs for fiscal year 2010 were lower than estimated. This trend of decreasing operational costs has continued, as the fiscal 2011 CPFH figures are more than 15 percent less than those of the previous fiscal year.

“On behalf of the thousands of Bell, Boeing and supplier employees who build and maintain the Osprey fleet, congratulations to the PMA-275 team on this well-deserved honor,” said John Rader, executive director of the Bell Boeing V-22 Program. “In this challenging economic environment, it is crucial for government and industry to work together to drive down costs. Our employees take great pride in knowing their hard work in support of PMA-275’s cost-per-flight-hour reduction initiative is appreciated and recognized by the Department of Defense.”

Sponsored by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the annual David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award recognizes Department of Defense civilian and/or military organizations, groups or teams who have demonstrated exemplary innovation and best acquisition practices.

According to Col. Greg Masiello, V-22 joint program manager at PMA-275, the reduction in CPFH was accomplished through reliability and maintainability improvements, maintenance concept changes, stand-up of additional repair capability, component repair price reductions, and alternate contract strategies.

The Bell Boeing support team worked closely with NAVAIR to develop and implement a retrofit process that provided improved components to the entire operational fleet, including deployed aircraft. The team also worked together to review and improve critical maintenance and troubleshooting procedures for maintainers in the field.

“The team promoted innovative and practical ideas that provided tangible benefits to our warfighters and taxpayers,” said Masiello. “The work of this team will continue to yield benefits for years to come.”