1.) 2.) 3.) Cannibalizations also take expensive aircraft out of service, sometimes for long periods of time, and can create additional mechanical problems. Services Cannibalize for Many Reasons

The services have many reasons for cannibalizing aircraft and strong incentives for continuing to do so. Readiness and Operational Demands

Readiness and operational demands put heavy pressure on the supply system to provide parts immediately and to wherever they may be needed. We also recommend that the Secretary of Defense direct the services to develop strategies to reduce the number of maintenance hours spent on cannibalization, ensure that cannibalized aircraft do not remain grounded for long periods of time, and reduce the adverse effects of cannibalizations on maintenance costs and personnel.
What GAO Found

All military services routinely use cannibalization to maintain aircraft. The adverse effects of cannibalizations include (1) higher maintenance costs due to increased mechanics' workloads, (2) morale and personnel retention problems, and (3) taking expensive aircraft out of service for long periods of time. The services have many reasons for cannibalizing aircraft and strong incentives for continuing to do so. In the broadest sense, cannibalizations are done because of pressures to meet readiness and operational needs and because of shortcomings in the supply system. Although the services have undertaken steps to address logistics shortfalls, few specific strategies have been developed to reduce cannibalizations and the associated maintenance hours.