DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
2000 NAVY PENTAGON
WASHINGTON DC 20350-2000
OPNAVINST 3000.12B
N4
26 Apr 2021
OPNAV INSTRUCTION 3000.12B
From: Chief of Naval Operations
Subj: OPERATIONAL AVAILABILITY OF EQUIPMENT AND WEAPONS SYSTEMS
Ref: (a) Operational Availability Handbook, March 2018
(b) CJCSI 5123.01H
(c) DoD Directive 5000.01 of 12 May 2003
(d) DoD Instruction 5000.02 of 7 January 2015
1. Purpose.
a. To provide policy regarding operational availability as a primary measure for readiness of
naval systems, subsystems and equipment; and to provide definitions and equations for
calculating operational availability and identifying sources of data for calculating and monitoring
operational availability.
b. This revision releases this instruction separately from the Office of the Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Navy for Sustainment (DASN (S)) Operational Availability Handbook
(reference (a)). This revision and reference (a) were developed in collaboration with DASN (S)
and the two policies are mutually reinforcing. This is a complete revision and should be
reviewed in its entirety.
2. Cancellation. OPNAVINST 3000.12A.
3. Applicability. This instruction applies to all naval systems, subsystems and equipment,
excluding systems and equipment under the cognizance of the Director, Naval Nuclear
Programs. For brevity in this instruction, the terms “system” or “systems” are used.
4. Concepts. Operational availability provides a measure of time or probability that a system’s
capabilities will be available for operational use when needed. Operational availability is a
critical, dominant element of the overall capability a system provides. It determines the real and
sustainable capability that system users can realistically achieve in an operational environment
within planned resource levels.
5. Discussion.
a. Early and consistent focus on operational availability benefits resource sponsors and
program managers. It helps sponsors balance real capabilities and total costs. It enables
