custodians to properly plan, support, and manage naval aviation, they need current information about the many aircraft in the Navy inventory. Much of the data required for the management of naval aviation is submitted on OPNAV XRAY reports. These message reports are prepared by reporting custodians and are forwarded to their controlling custodian or directly to the Chief of Naval Operations, as required.

OPNAV XRAY data is used to maintain a perpetual inventory of aircraft, and it reflects the latest custody, status, and other items about each aircraft. In addition, OPNAV XRAY data records logistics activity and indicates the actual time involved in the various logistics processes.

NOTE: Although this section is based on information contained in the latest edition of OPNAV Instruction 5442.2, the information presented may vary somewhat from the procedures followed in different activities. Controlling custodians have issued instructions concerning aircraft inventory reporting in their areas of control (for example, COMNAVAIRPAC/ COMNAVAIRLANT Instruction 5442.42). Regardless of the reporting procedures, all XRAY data reaches the Chief of Naval Operations and is used for management purposes. You should remember to refer to the appropriate governing instruction when preparing any XRAY report.

All changes of aircraft reporting and controlling custody, status, model designation, or any other reportable actions are reported daily by message. Normally, if no changes occur, an XRAY message is not submitted. The OPNAV XRAY message report, OPNAV Report 5442-1, is submitted by message by 1200 of the day following a reportable action that involves the unit's aircraft. One XRAY report may be used to report actions on one or more aircraft.

For reports control purposes, reporting custodians must number each OPNAV XRAY message by calendar year, beginning with 001 going through 999, and then beginning with 001 again. The basic addressee on all XRAY reports is the controlling custodian or the Chief of Naval Operations, as appropriate. The cognizant wing is also a basic addressee. Certain situations may require additional information addresses, in which case they are specified in the governing instruction.

NOTE: The Naval Aviation Maintenance Office (NAVAVNMAINTOFF) is a mandatory information addressee on all OPNAV XRAY reports.

The OPNAV XRAY message format is as follows:

ROUTINE

FROM: Reporting activity

TO: Primary addressee

INFO: Information addressee

UNCLAS//N05442//

SUBJ: (CONTR. CUST.) "XRAY" (REPORTING CUST.) (RPT SERIAL NO.) "OPNAV 5442-1"

A. BUREAU NUMBER

B. PERMANENT UNIT CODE

C. DATE OF ACTION (MONTH, DAY, YEAR)

D. ACTION CODE

E. STATUS CODE

F. MODEL DESIGNATION

G. PERIOD NUMBER

H. PERIOD END DATE (PED)

I. EXTENSION NUMBER

J. STRIKE/DAMAGE CODE

K. ACCEPTANCE DATE

L. ASPA INSPECTION REPORT CODES

M. OPERATING SERVICE MONTHS (OPSERVMOS) ACCUMULATED AT PED

N. ESTIMATED REWORK COMPLETION DATE

O. PERMANENT UNIT IDENTIFICATION CODE (PUC) OF UNIT OR REWORK ACTIVITY

P. UNIT RECEIVED FROM/COMMAND CODE

Q. DELETE/CORRECT

R. ORGANIZATION CODE

S. OPERATIONAL CATEGORY CODE

T. FLEET ASSIGNED CODE

U. MID-TERM

V. RESERVED FOR CONTROLLING CUSTODIAN

W-Z. RESERVED FOR FUTURE USE