USS AMERICA (LHA-6) MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT (MHE) REFURBISHMENT

USS AMERICA (LHA-6) Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) employs a suite of Material Handling Equipment (MHE) to move aeronautical components, engines, support equipment, and palletized material in support of intermediate-level maintenance and flight operations. These assets are essential to aviation logistics throughput, stores onload/offload, and hangar bay and flight deck material movement. Sustained operational use, shipboard environmental exposure, and deferred depot-level maintenance have degraded the material condition of twenty three (23) assets to the point that they are non-operational or unable to hold current weight-handling certification. Ship's force personnel are qualified to operate this equipment but are neither trained nor certified to perform depot-level overhaul, load testing, or weight-handling certification. Refurbishment of these assets during the upcoming Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) will restore full MHE capability, extend equipment service life, and prevent critical work stoppages in the aviation maintenance and supply chain.