Navy-Marine Corps Aviation Integration Study

Customer: Chief of Naval Operations and Headquarters, Marine Corps

Challenge: The US Navy was facing significant budget challenges in being able to fund planned tactical aircraft programs for both the Navy and Marine Corps. The Secretary of the Navy recognized that this was an issue that needed to be addressed by both services. It would require changes in the way both services managed and operated their tactical aviation forces. The Secretary of Defense tasked the Department of the Navy to: "…conduct a comprehensive review to assess the feasibility on integrating all Naval Aviation force structure. Naval Aviation structure must continue to provide flexible, responsive, interoperable, and expeditionary forces that support Combatant Commanders and joint forces." WBB was tasked to lead this study based on our operational expertise, analysis capabilities, and proven record of addressing tough sensitive issues.

Approach: The study was conducted in a building-block fashion. Alternative study approaches were identified. Detailed data on each of the alternatives was developed. Non-viable and non-cost effective alternatives were screened out from further consideration. Comprehensive analysis was done on the remaining alternatives. Acceptance of these alternatives and the bounding points were confirmed by briefings to the service chiefs. The alternatives were:

Increasing integration between the services
Disestablishing units
Reducing the number of aircraft in units
Reducing the number of aircraft in non-deploying status (overhead)

The capability of force structure options was measured by three metrics: aim points serviced during conflict onset, buildup and mature phases of a campaign; close air support (CAS) orbits supported during the mature phase of the campaign; and a percentage of units deployed. A series of WBB developed models were used to measure the capabilities and effectiveness of each alternative and a combination of alternatives against the metrics. The effectiveness was measured relative to the present force and the program of record. The alternatives were finally assessed within a WBB developed costing model to evaluate cost savings as compared to the Navy's baseline budget projections.

Value: The final recommendations included a total Naval strike fighter force structure number representing a reduction of 30% from the current program of record and corresponding budget savings of over $30B covering the next 20 years while still meeting required capabilities. While these kinds of reductions are among the most difficult for the services to make, the role played by WBB with its methodology contributed to the Navy and Marine Corps working through a very complex decision and enabling them to better meet resource and budget goals.