The U.S. Navy has established a new depot-level maintenance line within the Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) to increase the combat readiness rate of its F-16 Viper aircraft. According to a report by UK Defence Journal, this new capability—developed in partnership with the Navy’s Program Management Activity 226 (PMA-226)—became operational in just 18 months and has already completed work on its first aircraft.
Strategic Collaboration and Focus on PSSR
The newly established line focuses on providing Programmed Sustainment and Structural Repairs (PSSR) for F-16 aircraft in the Navy’s inventory. The project was initiated after PMA-226 requested additional depot support due to workload pressures at other facilities. As a result, FRCSW has now been designated as the primary depot center for repairs under the PSSR program.
Navy officials describe PSSR processes as technically equivalent to the “High Flight Hour Inspection” performed on the F/A-18 platform. The primary objective of these maintenance activities is to ensure that the F-16 fleet maintains a high level of combat readiness, particularly in aggressor training missions.
Technical Integration and Rapid Implementation
Within just 18 months, the project completed the procurement of necessary equipment, installation of specialized tools, and implementation of personnel training programs. To enhance efficiency during this period, FRCSW personnel adapted existing F/A-18 equipment—such as wing removal and installation stands—for use on the F-16 platform, accelerating the process.
Commenting on the initiative, PMA-226 Program Manager Captain Jason Pettit stated that equipment acquisition and personnel training were completed at an “unprecedented pace,” and emphasized that this strategic collaboration directly contributes to the operational readiness of aggressor squadrons.
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Source :C4Defence / UK Defence Journal
