FA-18 SLAP
Abstract
The F/A-18 and EA-18G 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 investigations of the main landing gear, arresting hook and catapult back-up structures, vertical tails, wings and fuselage. A second effort is to evaluate the subsystem components (hydraulics, wiring, actuators, etc) to identify over and above inspections, overhaul intervals or replacement schedules to fly past design life limits. 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; EA-18G are 7,500 FH, 2,550 CAT/Traps and 17,850 total landings. The F/A-18 SLAP program of record states the SLAP goals as 10,000 FH, 2,917 Cat/Traps and 18,750 total landings. The primary objective of F/A-18 and EA-18G SLAP is to determine if the stated SLAP goals are feasible and to determine what modifications are required, if applicable, to extend the airframe. An increase in total landings and flight hours would allow the F/A-18 aircraft to operate for a prolonged period of time in order to meet CNO inventory requirements. The requirements are integrated with the Joint Strike Fighter planned introduction to ensure mission readiness. 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, 2024
- Source ID
- 3030_0702207N_7_1319_PB_2024
Related Documents
- Root: Depot Maintenance (NON-IF)
- Child Accomplishment: F/A-18 SLAP
- Child Accomplishment: EA-18G SLAP
- Child Cost Item: 55fe189dcbc63293bdd91028d477a044
- Child Cost Item: ecf85e6f9e09b866b5c8f08d4974f3cf
- Child Cost Item: 6a8eafaf6af68afb625cedba61614110
- Child Cost Item: e62e3ec8953d119a852827ca20564ae4
- Child Cost Item: 1a0f181f9d9a1fd25bc340f9511ffb41
- Child Cost Item: cdafad0bcf4ac7df003ad4bdcc246407
- Child Cost Item: 011c42c105ab9e462fec8da510ff397f
- Child Cost Item: 2988a871c9603a1e4203685cd9272ac5
- Child Cost Item: 3be4167544ae92ffdd238263e41f4610
- Child Cost Item: 7666bac4b739aaac7eb7d655ec26eba7
- Child Cost Item: ab81ed7411b4c80ee5af412b1a0c8721
- Child Cost Item: 5e4292e7d276e6e18bb5aa2a84ddcad2
- Child Cost Item: 810f334bdfbcbbad0a1f5f6b3c4befc0
- Child Cost Item: 08dd8f9fc17eea4009fdf3b5bddd54a5
- Child Cost Item: 8920927653206023542cacca60a2dc29
- Child Cost Item: d20710ccac401a4de092e8b5db24367c