KC-135 PDM Structures Gate: Peace Through Superior Processes! By: Mr. Brandon Copeland
T
he KC-135 Stratotanker is not an overly glamorous weapons system. It does not carry bombs or
missiles, is not equipped with state of the art listening devices or radar equipment, and does not fly at supersonic speeds. Despite this, the KC-135 is one of the most important tools enabling our nation’s Global Strike and Global Mobility requirements and providing refueling support to US Navy, Marine Corps and allied forces. This 50-year old airframe, built to fight the Cold War, has seen its value increase exponentially since the 1990s. As a result, the aircraft requires additional maintenance and logistics support to ensure we can meet national defense commitments. Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) is an essential part of KC-135 fleet health, with requirements increasing as the aircraft ages. As the KC135 continues to grow older, increased inspections and repairs are required to maintain the fleet. The majority of these repairs are structural in nature, and fall within the structures build-up gate of the KC-135 production machine. Since 2009 the 564 AMXS had
KC-135 P2 skin replacement
operated a two-track structures gate consisting of two different types of structural repair plans: “Speedy” or Extended Flow Aircraft (EFA). Speedy aircraft completed the structures gate in less time as opposed 33