AV-8B Aircraft - Engine Dev
Abstract
The program provides for AV-8B Design, Development, Integration and Test of various platform improvements such as: Engine Life Management Program (ELMP), Escape Systems, Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS), and Block upgrades to various mission systems, communications systems, navigation equipment, weapons carriage and countermeasures, and the Obsolescence Replacement (OR)/Readiness Management Plan (RMP) including structural, hydraulic, electrical, environmental, and mechanical systems. The JMPS is required as part of the DON directed migration to a common Navy and Marine Corps mission planning system. OR/RMP represents all engineering activities for development and design to support aircraft safety flight clearances, concept explorations, and developments to support POM objectives. The program's Evolutionary Acquisition Strategy includes Design, Development, Integration and Test activities under the consolidated effort of Block Developments: H6.1, H6.2 and follow-on block upgrades, to include a block upgrade that will be required to implement Link 16 capability. The H6.1 update will provide enhancements and software corrections that improve the AV-8B platform combat effectiveness, survivability, and relevance through avionics processor upgrades, mission planning updates, and Litening Operational Flight Program. A H6.2 update, accomplished by the Common Avionics Program, provides AV-8B a self-contained Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation capability that is required to access preferred airspaces. AV-8B funding supports peculiar flight test requirements. The Link 16 integration effort, which will require an Operational Flight Program (OFP) upgrade beyond H6.2, will provide interoperability, combat identification, situational awareness, and information sharing. Connection to the Link-16 network is vital to the AV-8B's ability to operate within some Command and Control situations and Operational Plans, as designed today, as well as provide a tactical capability for the more effective and safe prosecution of both airborne and ground targets. Continued AV-8B combat relevance through 2030 is critical to the MAGTF's ability to generate aviation combat power throughout the transition to F-35B. J-series, K-series, TTNT, and other emerging datalink technology messages are required to support current and future mission threads. Linked performance on par with current tactical platforms as well as design to communicate with F-35 is required for the AV-8B to remain tactically relevant to sundown. The ELMP is a comprehensive plan to increase safety of flight and operational readiness of the AV-8B F402-RR-408 Engine and accessories. PMA-257 will accomplish this mission by conducting Engineering Project Description investigations and performing a series of planned Endurance Tests to derive engineering improvements to the engine. The OR/RMP is required to ensure the AV-8B air vehicle's sustained mission availability, and safe and reliable operational readiness until end of service. Air vehicle sustainment requires component and system analyses, technical planning, identification, prioritization, and diagnosis of emergent problems and the allocation of resources for the development, testing and flight clearance of engineering solutions in the areas of flight, crew safety, and escape systems and structural integrity, obsolescence, systems reliability and maintainability, inventory preservation, alternative mission development, or other emergent material or equipment conditions affecting AV-8B systems readiness. Activities include research/analysis for system safety deficiency corrections, fuel system safety improvements, structural analyses, monitoring and integrity analysis, component obsolescence analyses and mitigation development, explorations for aging equipment, reliability improvement analyses and design developments. FY15 continues development efforts and associated obsolescence and readiness requirements for ELMP, RMP and Operational Flight Program updates.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 0604214N_5_1319_PB_2015
- Change Summary Explanation
- Cost: FY13 reduction reflects sequestration, Congressional general reductions and reduction for excess Flight Control Computer funding. Technical: All H6.1 and H6.1.1 OFP capabilities have been consolidated into a single Fleet release of H6.1 on H6.1.1 schedule. Schedule: Acquisition Milestones for H6.1.1 have been removed due to consolidating all H6.1 and H6.1.1 capabilities into a single release of H6.1, H6.1DT/IT, H6.1 software delivery. H6.1: IOC date has moved to 2Q FY15; development completion date has moved to 2Q 2014; DT/IT completion date has moved to 1Q FY15; software delivery date has moved to 2Q FY15. H6.2: IOC date has moved to 4Q FY17; development completion date has moved to 4Q FY16; DT/IT completion date has moved to 3Q FY17; and software delivery date has moved to 4Q FY17. Radar Display Computer (RDC) IOC has moved to 4Q FY15 due to negotiated contract delivery schedule. RMP flight test (RMP FT) completion has moved to 4Q FY16 due to availability of test aircraft for fatigue life expended data acquisition. The extended flight test time period accounts for FY15 test of RMP brake temperature monitoring system and GR-9 component compatibility flight test. Low Pressure Compressor (LPC-1) Qual Test deferred to 4Q FY14 due to material availability and additional requirements to complete test. Low Pressure Compressor (LPC-1) Qual Test Report has moved to 4Q FY14 due to test completion delay.
- Service Agency Name
- Navy
Entities
Organizations
- United States Navy
Related Documents
- Child Project: AV-8B
- Child Accomplishment: Development of RMP Engineering Change Proposals
- Child Accomplishment: F402-RR-408 Engine Safety and Reliability Enhancements
- Child Accomplishment: Operational Flight Program (OFP) and Avionics Weapons Systems Development and Integration