An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | July 6, 2022

FRCSW Repairs Damaged CMV-22 Osprey

By Jim Markle

FRCSW Repairs Damaged CMV-22 Osprey

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) recently added another milestone in its history of maintenance and repair services to naval aircraft by completing an unusual repair to the inner skin of a CMV-22 Osprey. 

The right-hand inner composite skin of the $75 million aircraft sustained a six-foot by three-foot crack with other, but minor, composite damage.

To provide a comprehensive repair, MV-22 production manager Moises Edillor said FRCSW removed and replaced the 21-foot by four-foot composite panel.

“Since the repair was the first of its kind, planning out the sequence of the maintenance to ensure the new inner skin was not damaged during the installation process proved to be difficult,” he said.

“The new skin had very few pilot holes drilled and the most challenging aspect was drilling more than 1,000 holes into the new composite skin to ensure proper alignment to the aircraft. Our sheet metal mechanics were able to install the new skin with zero defects and delivered the product with high quality craftsmanship.”

The MV-22 is unique to other airframes serviced by the command because of its aluminum, carbon/epoxy composite fuselage and empennage. Its wings and nacelles are also composite and fiberglass.

The aircraft, assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30 (VRM-30), was inducted by the command on January 8 as an in-service repair (ISR), or repairs outside of scheduled maintenance.

In total, the ISR required more than 2,500 manhours and was completed through the combined efforts of the command’s artisans and engineering department.

“Twelve V-22 FRCSW personnel worked long hours to complete this critical repair. Trade artisans included sheet metal mechanics, mechanics, electricians and non-destructive inspection (NDI) personnel,” Edillor said.

“Engineering played a key role in the process as they worked quickly in order to create instructions to safely fix the aircraft and get it back into fight-ready status,” he added.

FRCSW completed the Osprey on time and within the estimated repair cost of approximately $500,000. It was returned to VRM-30 on June 9.
 
 

Oct. 31, 2024

FRCSW Bids Farewell to Its Last Legacy Aircraft

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has been a pillar of naval aviation maintenance since its establishment in 1919. Over the decades, the facility has supported the U.S. Navy’s mission readiness, ensuring iconic aircraft like the F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, and S-3 Viking remained airworthy. Now, FRCSW signifies a major shift with the final maintenance of its last legacy aircraft—an F/A-18 Hornet.

Oct. 23, 2024

FRCSW Enhances Fleet Readiness with 3D Printing Technology

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) is leveraging advanced 3D printing technology to address supply chain delays and improve fleet readiness. The Stratasys F-900 3D printer, an industrial-grade system capable of producing high-performance thermoplastics, recently played a key role in manufacturing a critical F/A-18 button plug, traditionally supplied via injection molding.

Oct. 10, 2024

Quality Management at FRCSW

Quality Management at FRCSW

Oct. 10, 2024

FRCSW Civilian of the Quarter

FRCSW Civilian of the Quarter

Oct. 10, 2024

FRCSW Employee Honored as Technology All-Star

ShaWanda Weintraub, the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Industrial Supply Branch Manager at Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW), has been named a Technology All-Star by Women of Color (WOC) magazine. WOC Magazine, with sponsorship from Apple, Google, and RTX, is one of the leading magazines for professional women in STEM and business. Each year the magazine serves as a host of the Women of Color STEM Conference, which recognizes the achievements of women in STEM. 

Oct. 4, 2024

FRCSW Welcomes VADM Pappano

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest hosts Principal Military Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) VADM Scott Pappano, September 5, 2024.

Sept. 26, 2024

FRCSW Components Team Receives CO Coin

Comptroller team receives commanding officer's coin for a job well done.

Sept. 13, 2024

Welcome to the Fleet

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest welcomes new hire through new employee orientation program.

Sept. 5, 2024

FRCSW Revamps Supply Chain Efficiency

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has entered into a strategic collaboration with the U.S. Army Software Factory (ASWF) to develop a web-based application designed to improve how Transportation Account Codes (TACs) are managed and tracked. The function of TACs is to help the command pay for and track shipments. The initiative aims to solve major issues with keeping up with and verifying shipments because of the large number and fast pace of movements.

Nov. 21, 2023

FRCSW at Fleet Week San Diego

On November 8 2023, Fleet Week in San Diego unfolded as a grand spectacle of innovation and technology, transforming the Port Pavilion Building into a vibrant hub of the future.