Sustaining Air Force Aging Aircraft into the 21st Century
Abstract
As many of its fleets of legacy aircraft types are kept in service well beyond their planned services lives (sometimes in age, sometimes in usage, sometimes both), the United States Air Force (USAF) faces numerous engineering and resource challenges for the continued, cost-effective sustainment of those aging systems. This report details the recommendations made by the USAF Scientific Advisory Board's Sustaining Aging Aircraft (SAA) Study to best position the Air Force to meet those challenges. The SAA Study Panel visited a cross section of military and commercial aircraft maintenance organizations to assess sustainment practices and identify technologies that can extend system life and ease maintenance costs. The Study identified specific aircraft systems, in addition to structures and engines, that contribute to safety, availability, and effectiveness for aging aircraft; examined commercial practices in airlines, air freight services, and other industries, and evaluated how they might be applied to meet USAF needs; and identified technology needs and technology approaches that can be applied or developed to extend life or ease maintenance of these aircraft systems, while facilitating future adaptations and performance enhancements of the aircraft.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA562696
Entities
People
- Alan Eckbreth
- Charles Saff
- Chris Eick
- David A. B. Miller
- Douglas Schmidt
- Kevin Connolly
- Mark S. Goorsky
- Natalie Crawford
- Neil Kacena
- Robert Schafrik