Development of a New Specification for Aircraft Catapult Lubricant, LA7, NSN 9150-01-430-2884
Abstract
The steam driven shipboard aircraft catapult systems have traditionally used qualified aviation piston engine oils (APEO's) to lubricate critical parts. The catapult launch systems first used products meeting the old military specifications MIL-L-6082 or MIL-L-22851. In 1995 the military specifications were canceled and replaced with the commercial SAE Standards (J-Spec's), J1966 and J1899. Unfortunately these APEO's are quickly becoming specialty products and are no longer available in bulk quantities which is how they are primarily used in the catapult launch systems. As a result Defense Logistics Agency - Energy (DLA-E) agreed to provide funding for a project to develop a new lubricant specification to address the shipboard aircraft catapult application. The goal of this program was to develop a replacement specification for the LA7 aircraft catapult launch system lubricant that would provide adequate performance and be readily obtainable in bulk quantities by the procurement community. The approach followed in this program was based upon a review of lubrication needs of the catapult systems, the fact the systems have traditionally used qualified aviation piston engine oils (APEO's) and that current APEO's are providing acceptable performance. Samples of current APEO's were obtained from the three primary APEO producers and subjected to a series of standardized, readily available performance tests Analysis of the data collected in this program lead to the development of a proposed set of tests and limits for a Commercial Item Description specification.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA618781
Entities
People
- Dawn Schmidt
- Douglas Mearns
- James Mcdonnell
- John Shimski
Organizations
- Naval Air Systems Command