Deployable Runway Rubber Removal System (Air Force)
Abstract
The FCT will evaluate a system manufactured in Mellrichstadt, Germany by TrackJet Systems that uses water to lift rubber deposits and paint from airfield pavement surfaces to restore runway friction needed to provide safe operating levels for military aircraft. It is equipped with a vacuum to remove debris from the runway to mitigate foreign object debris damage to airplanes. The primary outputs and efficiencies to be demonstrated in the FCT is a deployable, ultra-high pressure (UHP) water runway rubber and paint removal system. The UHP system uses 60 percent less water than the current technology in use by the Air Force. The proposed system completes rubber removal in almost half of the time of the currently used system, with half of the manpower. The UHP system can get off the runway under it's own power in the event of an emergency landing, while current system cannot. The UHP system only requires water and fuel, whereas the current system has many system components requiring assembly, an on-site tow vehicle, corrosive chemicals, as well as water and fuel. The proposed technology is an all-in-one system, whereas the current technology has at least three separate packages for one system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 3062dda50bd4d311ef97b54db52a07fd