Evaluation of a continuous process improvement pilot program to reduce or eliminate Trident II D5 launcher processing authority documentation at the Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic

by: Fields-Austin, Elizabeth A.

Publication date: 2008-09

Topics: Systems engineering, Management, Maintenance, Fleet ballistic missile weapons systems, United States, Strategic weapons systems

Publisher: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School

Collection: navalpostgraduateschoollibrary; fedlink

Language: English

Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic (SWFLANT) launcher third level repair cycle requires extensive Trouble Failure Inspection/Rejection Report (TFIRR) processing authority documentation that results in a loss of contractor man-hours and third level repair cycle time. Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) is using Continuous Improvement (CI) events to optimize repair efforts to free manpower and facility resources to meet increasing repair demands. This thesis evaluated the SSP approved CI Pilot Program to reduce or eliminate TRIDENT II D5 launcher TFIRR processing authority documentation and reduce third level repair cycle times at the Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems-Marine Systems (NGES-MS) facilities at SWFLANT. The Pilot Program achieved a 20% reduction in the man-hours using the modified TFIRR process, demonstrated a more efficient workflow and reduced the total third level repair cycle time. Recommendations for reducing or eliminating excessive processing authority documentation at SWFLANT for the TRIDENT II D5 launcher sub-system include accepting and implementing the CI Pilot Program results for reducing and eliminating TFIRR processing authority documentation as permanent changes to the SSP operational procedures and establishing additional CI process reviews to identify opportunities for documentation and repair cycle time reductions.