New perspectives towards modeling depot MRO

There are subtle, and yet critical and unique differences that distinguish the depot maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) domain from production manufacturing. These differences motivate the need for more efficient ways to capture the essence of the depot MRO domain dynamics. The authors provide an informal characterization of the depot MRO by highlighting some of the major differences. Along with this characterization, they propose a set of principles governing the physics of depot MRO operation. Finally, they describe the nature of idealizations needed to model and simulate this domain and a vision for future technologies that could more adequately and directly address these needs.