Sobre el programa de extensión de vida de los F/A-18A/B/C/D hasta 2030 (10.000h):
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Current aircraft inventory and Flight hours flown as of 19 June 2019:
F/A-18A (Lots 7 - 9) - 50 (22 Active, 28 Reserve): service life 8,000 hours (current); 10,000 hours (extended); average service life remaining 11 hours (current); 2,011 hours (extended)
F/A-18B (Lots 1 - 6) - 0 (0 Active, 0 Reserve): service life 6,000 hours (current); average service life remaining 474 (current)
F/A-18B (Lots 7 - 9) - 3 (3 Active, 0 Reserve): service life 8,000 hours (current); 10,000 hours (extended); average service life remaining 883 (current); 2,883 (extended)
F/A-18C - 279 (230 Active, 49 Reserve): service life 8,000 hours (current); 10,000 hours (extended); average service life remaining 510 (current); 2,510 (extended)
F/A-18D - 112 (106 Active, 6 Reserve): service life 8,000 hours (current); 10,000 hours (extended); average service life remaining 588 (current); 2,588 (extended)
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Description:
Incorporation of structural enhancements and changes is required to attain F/A-18 service life and maintain sufficient aircraft inventory to meet fleet operational requirements through FY 2030. Structural enhancements and changes include resolution of discrepancies identified as a result of structural test-16 and in-service experience. These Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) enhancements and changes to extend the life from 6,000 hours to 10,000 hours include: modifications to allow the entire airframe to extend flight hours; modifications to ensure structures currently limited to 78% of design life can achieve 100% life; modifications to ensure landing gear, catapult and attachment components can extend total landings. The unacceptable alternative to retrofitting would be the failure to reach full fatigue life for these aircraft. In many cases, the mission capability of the aircraft would be adversely affected in addition to its reduced service life. As a result, aircraft may be prematurely removed from useful service. Center Barrel Replacement Plus (CBR+) is applicable to F/A-18A/B/C/Ds. Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) 904 Part 1 is the basic center barrel kit. ECP 904 Part 2 is required to extend Wing Root Fatigue Life Expended (WRFLE) and is not required for all aircraft.
DEVELOPMENT STATUS/MAJOR DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES:
Currently all Lot VI through XVII aircraft have 78% life limits without the structural life management plan modifications to bring them to 100% airframe life. The Fleet Readiness Center North Island developed ECP 904NI (CBR+) which was approved on 27 April 2000. Validation started October 2000 and was completed in August 2001. Verification started August 2001 and was completed June 2002.
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Description:
This Operational Safety Improvement Program (OSIP) 10-21 is established for the correction of readiness degraders impacting F/A-18 A/B/C/D aircraft cost per flight hour, Reliability Maintainability and Availability (RM&A), obsolescence, and reduction of life-cycle costs. These modifications will be accomplished by field retrofit and implemented to coincide with resources and aircraft availability. In order to meet the goal of increasing readiness, the airframe and integrated systems must be modified as critical RM&A issues are identified. Funds will be used to manage, prepare, process and incorporate Engineering Change Proposals. The reliability and readiness initiatives included in the proposed OSIP are projected to have a significant positive impact to the F/A-18 A/B/C/D Aircraft platform. Modifications for the F/A-18 A/B/C/D aircraft include flight controls, software, forward fuselage, aft fuselage, wing, critical structures, electrical, hydraulic, Environmental Control Systems (ECS), launch and recovery, fuel, mechanical, secondary power, and other modification efforts.
Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) completed but have installs remaining from OSIP 11-84:
ECP 608 Crease Longeron, ECP 609 Inner Wing Conversion/ Modification - Fuel Improvements, ECP-609C1 Inner wing/Wing Fuel Transfer Manifold (AYC-1768), ECP 796 Wing Fuel Dams, ECP 973 Fuel Cell Floor Crack, ECP 1034 NI Aileron Attach Lug Bushing (AYC-1481), ECP-1095NI MLG Side Brace Downlock Actuator Connecting Link (AYC-1548), ECP 1098NI F/A-18 A-D Y615 Former and Bootstrap, ECP 1100 F/A-18 A-D Keel Beam Web Retrofit, ECP 1101 Inner Wing AFT Closure Rib, ECP 1102 Y508 Former Shear Tie Fastener Holes Retrofit, ECP 1118NI F/A-18 A-D Y580.5/Y590.5 Former Replacement Modline, ECP 1120NI F/A-18 A-D Upper O/B Longeron Y453/Y508 Fw Section Splice, ECP 1121 F/A-18 A-D MLG Critical Components Retrofit, ECP 1122 F/A-18 A-D NLG Critical Components Retrofit, ECP 1125 F/A-18 A-D Y470 Inner Wing Panel Lug, ECP 1137NI Fire Extinguisher Temp Compensating Pressure Switch, ECP-1140NI AIL SERVOCYLINDER MAIN RAM (AYC-1603), ECP-1142NI Y326.5 Lead Edge Ext (LEX) Spt Fitting & Substructure, ECP-1142C1NI Y394.2 LEX Connecting Link Retrofit, ECP-1142C2 LEX Support Assy 74T030317 Replacement, ECP 1148NI Speed Brake Arresting Hook Actuator Fitting Retrofit, ECP-1155 NI Fuel Tank Four Cavity Foam Material Change, ECP 1155C1 NI Motive Flow Bulkhead Replacement, ECP 1159 - Y557.5 Bulkhead Tub Retrofit, ECP-1169NI Arresting Hook Point Bolt Material Change (AYC-1734), ECP 1176 NI OWP Missile Support Rib Retrofit, ECP-1186NI NLG Uplock Dash Number & Serialization (AFC-680), ECP-1208 NI Disabling Cabin Exit Air System (AFC 676), ECP-1209 Outer Wing Panel 68% Spare, ECP-1211 Replacing Aging Fraying Flight Control and Brake Cables, ECP 6217 Cockpit Pressurization Warning System, ECP 6321R1 F/A-18 A-D Main Landing Gear Door Hinge Pins, ECP-6431 In-Flight RefueL Probe Timer Bellcrank Fitting (AFC-623 PT2), ECP-6495: Servocylinder Test Station Obsolescence Upgrade, ECP JAX F-18-001 NFDS mods, C&D Conversion (Blue Angels), ECP-CP - F/A-18 - 0004 ECS Windshield Anti-Ice Valve (Item 75
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