GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 3, 2004) — A nearly three-year-old program serviced by Michelin Aircraft Tire Corp. and Lockheed Martin has shipped its 100,000th tire to the U.S. Navy.
The Navy's Performance Based Logistics (PBL) tire program, begun in July 2001, requires that aircraft tires be delivered to U.S. naval locations in the continental U.S. within 48 hours and outside the U.S. within 96 hours. The program now supports 16 different types of military aircraft using 23 tire sizes.
A Michelin and Lockheed team operating the program reached 98-percent on-time accuracy and no backorders, the companies said. A Michelin spokeswoman said the tire maker was awarded the contract in 2001, then enlisted Lockheed Martin's help.
The PBL program encompasses all activities related to delivering spare and repair parts for aircraft, ships and submarines.