B-1 IBS

The 567th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron completed a B-1 Integrated Battle Station modification on aircraft 85-0083 in 170 days, the lowest time yet safely meeting the Art of the Possible production goal. “The significance of 85-0083 cannot be under emphasized,” said Rodney Shepard, Weapon Systems Support Center flight chief. “Two short years ago, the B-1 IBS program was producing IBS on an average of 289 days closing out FY-15. Today, the IBS average is 202 days, with the last three IBS aircraft producing at 195, 185, and, of course, 0083, in 170 days, achieving the Art of the Possible goal that was set in June 2015. Aircraft 0083 met the AOP goal, but even more impressive, it met AOP in every single gate!” Shepard added that while the in-dock gates (1 - 4) have been meeting AOP for quite some time now, Post Dock has historically averaged 60-80 days, but aircraft 0083 produced in Post Dock at 40 days, making it the first IBS aircraft to achieve that milestone. (Air Force photo by Kelly Whtie)