FA-18 SLAP
Abstract
The F/A-18 Service Life Assessment Program (SLAP) is assessing the structural and subsystem conditions of the F/A-18 fleet in order to determine what modifications are necessary to extend the aircraft designed life limits to allow it to achieve Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) inventory requirements. The goal of the F/A-18 SLAP program is to identify critical structures and components that can achieve the extended service life limit goals. SLAP consists of structural analyses of the main landing gear, arresting hook and catapult back-up structures, vertical tails, wings and fuselage. A second effort is to assess the subsystem components (hydraulics, wiring, actuators, etc) to identify over and above inspections, overhaul intervals or replacement schedules to fly past design of 6,000 hours. The current life limits for the F/A-18 E/F are 6,000 Flight Hours (FH), 2,250 catapults/arrestments (Cat/Traps) and 15,750 total landings. The F/A-18 SLAP program of record states the SLAP goals as 12,000 FH, 3,500 Cat/Traps and 22,500 total landings. The primary objective of F/A-18 SLAP is to determine if the stated SLAP goals are feasible. An increase in total landings and flight hours would allow the F/A-18 to meet CNO inventory requirements, to include planning for the announced one year Joint Strike Fighter slide. This effort is required to be conducted for these airframes and subsystems to ascertain what actions and modifications must be taken to safely operate each system beyond its designed life until the targeted end of service life.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2015
- Source ID
- 3030_0702207N_7_1319_PB_2015
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