This specialized, high-capacity fleet requires a complex sustainment program. As the USAF works to supplement its organic depot capacity, challenges exist to stand up an industry depot with facilities, capabilities and experience to paint and support heavy maintenance for aircraft this size.
Experience and Capacity
L3Harris has provided efficient and reliable aircraft missionization, modernization and MRO solutions to U.S. defense, commercial, and international partners for more than 70 years, with experience spanning numerous platforms, including the C-130, RC-135 and 747.
We have existing C-5 depot maintenance, modification and paint service facilities at our Waco, Texas site and have engaged Oneida County’s Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York so additional facilities can be mobilized pending award of the U.S. Air Force’s C-5 Supplemental Depot Capability contract. Our collaboration with the State of New York and Oneida County will allow us to optimize Griffiss into a world-class large aircraft sustainment facility ready to accept a C-5 after contract award.
Mitigating Risk
The massive number of individual parts required for C-5 sustainment poses a supply chain risk, and we’re coordinating with several industry experts who have supported C-5 repair and sustainment for more than 20 years to field a team prepared to excel in C-5 logistics management. Our proactive engagement in solving parts availability issues will not only enable our success but will also improve organic C-5 depot activities.
A Growing Workforce
Our team is also recruiting in the Rome, New York region to grow a workforce to support the C-5 effort. This approach enables a co-located team to support C-5 depot activities and ensures quickly standing up resources in support of the first aircraft arrival.
L3Harris’ C-5 maintenance solution, available upon contact award, provides a low-risk sustainment option for the USAF including:
- C-5-specific technological knowledge and experience
- Two paint facilities large enough to support the C-5
- Existing customer relationship with a heritage of C-5 support
- Infrastructure ready to execute on day one
- New York State and Oneida County support
L3Harris’ depot capability, combined with its industry collaborators and with support of state and county government, will enable the USAF to fly and sustain the C-5 platform for decades to come.
