| From time to time the subject of sortie rates comes up with regard to various cariers. Its important to consider three things. Humans, logistics and maintenance! No matter how reliable your machines are or how deep your magazines and POL stocks are. These resources are finite. But most importantly, you can only work people so hard before their performance deteriorates considerably. This is why a larger crew can have advantages. You can divide 24 hours into 3 shifts vs 2 and maintain the ability to surge for example. If people are not given rest or down time they will break under the stress of combat or fatigue. Its a big deal. Of course a commander can say to his/her people, "just suck it up and drive on". But at some point they will break. That goes for the machines too AND the maintenance personnel that service them. Even if one machine or crew member goes down due to maintenance or fatigue/stress it has a ripple effect that is felt throughout the organization. Remember that someone has to pick up the slack.
So consider these things when estimating sortie rates. Operations staff need to leave some room for these kinds of contigencies! This also applies to ground combat and land based aircraft as well. It will make you combat ineffective faster than the enemy can.
-DA |
