Depot Maintenance (Non-IF)

The Depot Maintenance (NON-IF) program within the Navy is dedicated to assessing and extending the service life of various aircraft fleets to meet operational requirements. The F/A-18 Service Life Assessment Program (SLAP) evaluates the structural and subsystem conditions of the F/A-18 fleet. This involves identifying necessary modifications to extend the aircraft's design life limits, ensuring they meet inventory requirements set by the Chief of Naval Operations. The program includes detailed investigations and evaluations to determine inspections, overhaul intervals, or replacement schedules needed for safe operation beyond the designed life.

The T-45 SLAP focuses on assessing and extending the service life of the T-45 fleet, which is crucial for meeting Integrated Production Plan and Naval Flight Officer Training Requirements until 2035. The program identifies critical structures and components that require modifications to achieve an extended service life from 14,400 to 21,600 flight hours. This involves a comprehensive assessment of numerous subsystems requiring further analysis, teardown, recertification, or testing. The goal is to ensure these subsystems maintain operational readiness and effectively support training missions.

For the MH-60 SLAP, the emphasis is on evaluating both primary aircraft structure and subsystem conditions to ensure these helicopters can meet their designed service life of 10,000 hours. The program aims to extend these limits through investigative inspections and forward-looking analyses that identify potential risks not yet realized in fleet assets. This includes assessments of airframe structures like cockpit beams and landing gear, as well as subsystems such as wiring and avionics components. The findings will inform future Service Life Extension Programs (SLEP), ensuring continued operational capabilities until transition to Future Vertical Lift-Maritime Strike platforms.

These programs are integral to maintaining fleet readiness by extending aircraft service lives through detailed assessments and necessary modifications. They involve collaboration with key contractors like Boeing for F/A-18 and T-45 efforts, and Lockheed Martin for MH-60 initiatives, alongside government engineering expertise at various naval facilities. These efforts ensure that aircraft remain viable for extended periods, aligning with strategic inventory objectives while bridging gaps until new procurement programs are in place.