NAVAIR PMA-275 honored for cost-per-flight-hour reduction across V-22 fleet

PATUXENT RIVER, Md., Nov. 02, 2011 – The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter , a Textron Company [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 its successful efforts to significantly reduce cost-per-flight-hour across the operational V-22 Osprey fleet.

Since 2009, NAVAIR PMA-275 has teamed with its industry partners, including Bell Boeing and suppliers, on a focused effort to reduce cost-per-flight-hour 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 the previous fiscal year.

“On behalf of the thousands of Bell Helicopter, 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 DoD 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 cost-per-flight-hour 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 team promoted innovative and practical ideas which provided tangible benefits to our warfighters and taxpayers,” said Masiello. “The work of this team will continue to yield benefits for years to come.”

The Bell Boeing support team worked closely with NAVAIR to develop and implement a retrofit process which 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.