Cost Effectiveness of Composite Materials on the F-15 and F-16 Aircrafts
Abstract
This thesis sought to determine the cost effectiveness of composite materials by determining the significant cost drivers in a cost estimating model. Based on a review of historical literature and interviews, it was originally suspected that composite materials were not as cost effective as metal structures in terms of maintenance manhours. The models developed in this project revealed that number of landings, flight hours, and sorties counts were the most significant cost drivers for maintaining the F-4 stabilator system, a metal structure, and the composite materials found on the horizontal and vertical stabilizers of the F-15 and F-16 aircrafts. The stabilator system on the F-4 was most respondent to the three cost drivers, as this structure required significantly more maintenance manhours than either the F-15 or F-16 parts. The F-16 horizontal stabilizer assembly was also sensitive to the cost drivers found, as this composite part had more maintenance manhours than the other three composite parts. The F-16 skins, vertical stabilizer assembly and the F-15 torque box, horizontal stabilator assembly showed that regardless of the number of landings, flight hours, or sortie counts, the maintenance manhours remained constant, within the range of data for this project. Life cycle costs; Multiple regression analysis; Aircraft maintenance manpower; Maintenance data acquisition. Theses. (edc)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA216353
Entities
People
- Diana M. Bock
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology