F-18 Readiness levels hit new low

The Hornet (both Legacy and Super) fleet hit a new low, with 3 out of 4 aircraft unable to deploy.  A few years ago, according to Congressional testimony, the Navy could surge an air wing in 90 days.  Currently it would take 6 months to a year to do the same thing.  The Navy currently has a backlog of 91 aircraft waiting to go through the Depot, which currently has a three year long lead time for parts needed to keep aircraft flying.  They're pushing them past the time they planned on retiring them, and the Depot isn't ready to deal with aircraft with the hours on them that they're seeing.  In 2012, they had a backlog of 1 aircraft.  They currently have a backlog of 539 engines and modules waiting on overhaul, which is actually down from last year.


news.usni.org/2016/05/26/navy-lays-bare-fa-18-readiness-gaps-take-year-surge-air-wing