22 US Marines AV-8B Harriers grounded again

The U.S. Marine Corps has been forced to ground 22 of 45 AV-8B Harriers which only recently returned to flying status. The latest action was taken after an engine inspection found damage to a number-three engine bearing on a powerplant being repaired at the Naval Aviation Depot at Cherry Point, N.C.

Problems with the bearing in July caused 107 Harriers powered by Rolls-Royce F402-RR-408A/B engines to be grounded. Only 23 Harriers with the –408A/B engine remain cleared for flight. Continued problems with the short take-off and vertical landing aircraft have caused the Marine Corps’ AV-8B mission capable rates to decline drastically in recent years.

Repairs are being conducted at a rate of 10 engines a month

Copyright aviationnow.com

It is far-far worse than that....currently the USMC is effectively grounded - from Apache drive problems to the AV8Bs to the V-22s. They currenly have to effective flying capability due to operational/component/maintanence faliures....

very bad...

Z