The U.S. Navy Embraces the “Right to Repair” Movement

Addressing long-standing issues with contractor-based equipment maintenance, Navy Secretary John Phelan announced the U.S. Navy’s decision to join the “right to repair” movement during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The movement advocates for dismantling the barriers imposed by intellectual property, warranty restrictions, and limited parts access that hinder servicemembers from repairing their own equipment. This practice, prevalent in various industries from automobiles to farm machinery, has also impacted critical equipment on naval vessels like aircraft carriers and frigates, according to Phelan.

Phelan highlighted the challenges faced by Navy sailors who are often unable to address equipment issues promptly due to contractual limitations imposed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). These restrictions prevent servicemembers from performing repairs, leading to delays in equipment maintenance and operational inefficiencies.

During a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier, Phelan observed a concerning situation where essential ovens used to prepare thousands of meals daily were malfunctioning, but the crew was prohibited from fixing them independently. This scenario, replicated in other critical systems like elevators on the Ford, underscores the urgent need for a shift towards empowering servicemembers to carry out repairs.

Notably, the contractor-centric maintenance approach adopted for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contributed to inflated operating costs, with expenses soaring to unsustainable levels. The U.S. Army has also faced similar challenges and is now taking proactive steps to mandate right-to-repair clauses in all future contracts, signaling a shift towards greater self-sufficiency in equipment maintenance.

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll emphasized the importance of revisiting existing contracts to ensure compliance with the right-to-repair principles, signaling a firm stance on prioritizing servicemember autonomy in addressing equipment issues.