Air Force Research Lab engineers at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, have already saved the nation nearly $300 million under an engine rotor life-extension program, called ERLE, that has reduced the costs associated with F-15 and F-16 jet engine maintenance. And, the savings are expected to grow as ERLE technology and insights are applied to other jet turbine engines used by the Air Force. Since ERLE’s inception eight years ago, AFRL’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate has demonstrated that some lifecycle costs can be avoided for engine rotor maintenance, repair, and overhaul, according to Siamack Mazdiyasni, lead project engineer of the directorate’s metals, ceramics, and nondestructive evaluation division. Under ERLE, technology has been developed that enables better nondestructive inspection of turbine engine components in depot for small cracks and flaws. These advances have safely extended the operational life of critical rotating turbine engine components “by one additional depot interval” while increasing depot inspection capability, reliability, and efficiency, said Mazdiyasni. (Wright-Patterson report by Pete Meltzer Jr.)
Depot-level maintenance took longer than expected for nearly three-quarters of Air Force aircraft from fiscal 2019-2024, according to a new report, as unplanned repairs rise across the aging fleet. The report, from the Government Accountability Office, also found that the extent of the delays has been masked because officials often revise their target timelines after unplanned work occurs.