Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB, Ga., has formed a new unit to undertake a five-year effort to completely rewire 122 F-15C/D Eagles and then do the same work on the F-15E Strike Eagles, probably lasting another five years, according to a Jan. 19 release. Officials expect the rewire team, ultimately comprising 73 current technicians and 47 new hires, to handle seven aircraft at a time, taking about 72 to 77 days per F-15. The initial team began work in November 2009 and currently has four fighters undergoing rewiring. According to Keith Gilstrap, the rewire flight chief, the insulation on the F-15s has turned brittle over time and causes shorts, significantly increasing field repair time. He said that the rewire work “is really going to save millions of dollars; it’s going to save an untold amount of manhours out in the field, in troubleshooting and repair.” (Robins report by Wayne Crenshaw)
One of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ prototype Collaborative Combat Aircraft drones crashed shortly after takeoff April 6, and the company has paused its test flights while it investigates the incident.