National Academies Press. Improving the Efficiency of Engines for Large Nonfighter Aircraft

Committee on Analysis of Air Force Engine Efficiency Improvement Options for Large, Non-fighter Aircraft, National Research Council. Washington: The National Academies Press, 2007. – 193 p. — ISBN13: 978-0-309-10399-2, ISBN10: 0-309-10399-1Because of the important national defense contribution of large, non-fighter aircraft, rapidly increasing fuel costs and increasing dependence on imported oil have triggered significant interest in increased aircraft engine efficiency by the U.S. Air Force. To help address this need, the Air Force asked the National Research Council (NRC) to examine and assess technical options for improving engine efficiency of all large non-fighter aircraft under Air Force command. This report presents a review of current Air Force fuel consumption patterns; an analysis of previous programs designed to replace aircraft engines; an examination of proposed engine modifications; an assessment of the potential impact of alternative fuels and engine science and technology programs, and an analysis of costs and funding requirementsStudy Origin
Overview of Air Force Fuel Consumption and Cost Structure
Lessons Learned from Previous Re-engining Programs
Commercial Re-engining Programs
Military Re-engining Programs
Complexity of Re-engining Aircraft,
Program Schedule and Cost,
Potential for Future Re-engining Programs,
Force Structure for Future Study,
Additional Context,
Previous Re-engining Studies,
Air Force Scientific Advisory Board Study on Technology Options for
Improved Air Vehicle Fuel Efficiency,
Summary,
References,
Selection of Candidates
Determining Factors,
Fleet Size,
Length of Service in Inventory,
Fuel Consumption Rate,
Aircraft Utilization Rate,
Maintenance and Support Costs,
Plausibility of Significant Improvements,
Treatment of Additional Operational Benefits,
List of Candidate Aircraft and Methodology for Selection,
Summary Candidates for Study,
References,
Proposed Engine Modifications And Re-Engining
KC-135 R/T Aircraft,
C-130 Aircraft,
B-1 Aircraft,
Modification,
Re-engining,
Fuel Consumption,
KC-10 Aircraft,
Background,
Technology Infusion Benefits,
High-Pressure Turbine Upgrades,
Commonality Considerations for the Air Force Engine Fleet,
Commonality Issues for the Commercial Engine Fleet,
Summary,
C-17 Aircraft,
References,
Tf33 Series Powered Aircraft
Introduction,
E-8C JSTARS Weapons System,
E-3 AWACS Platform,
B-52 Aircraft,
KC-135 Aircraft,
References,
Recurring And Nonrecurring Cost Estimations
Analysis Approach,
Nonrecurring Costs,
Recurring Costs,
Costs and Benefits to Operations and Support,
Maintenance and Fuel Savings,
Methodology and Basis for the Estimate,
Fuel Consumption,
Engine Repair Cost,
Assumptions, Inputs, and Data,
Net Present Value Analysis,
Summary,
References,
Other Considerations
Aerodynamic Modifications,
Winglets,
Laminar Flow Nacelles,
Airframe Modifications for Fuel Savings Unique to the C-130,
Optimization of Operations,
Maintenance Practices,
On-Wing Programs,
Engine Maintenance Programs,
Information, Data Requirements, and Organizational Structure,
Operational Practices,
Aircraft Weight Management,
Other Benefits of Re-engining,
Operational Benefits,
Environmental Considerations and Implications,
References,
Alternative Fuels
Background,
Synthetic Fuel Properties, Specifications, and Re-engining,
Challenges to Producing Domestic Alternative Fuels,
Strategy for Qualifying Alternative Fuels,
Coal-to-Liquid Fuel Technology Promotion Act,
Summary,
References,
Technology Preparedness and Insertion
Introduction,
Turbine Engine Science and Technology Overview,
Potential for Specific Fuel Consumption Improvement,
Component Improvement and Engine Model Derivative Programs,
Turbine Engine Science and Technology Funding,
References,
Acquisition, Financing, and Support
Introduction,
Overview of Options,
Options in Group 1,
Option: Maintain All Commercial Derivative Engines to FAA Standards,
Option: Compete All Maintenance Contracts,
Option: Create a Line Item in the Defense Budget,
Option: Implement a Fuels Savings Performance Contract Strategy,
Options in Group 2,
Option: Re-engine Air Force Aircraft with Commercial Engines and Lease or Resell the Engines When the Airframe Is Retired,
Option: Create a Spare Engine and Parts Pool,
Option: Lease Engines on a Long-Term Basis,
Option: Lease Engines on a Short-Term Basis,
Options in Group 3,
Option: Sale and Leaseback on a Long-Term Basis,
Option: Sale and Leaseback on a Short-Term Basis,
References,
Appendixes
A Biographical Sketches of Committee Members
B Meetings and Speakers
C Key Recommendations from Previous Studies
D Background Information on Re-engining Requirements
E Background Information on Lessons Learned from Previous Re-engining Programs
F Background Information on Re-engining the C
G Sensitivity Analysis