F-14s returning to duty!

[FLYBOYJ]

Hello FLYBOY,

I wouldn't know about USAF or USN maintenance costs calculation in contra to new generation aircraft, but obviously Germany and other NATO members have come to a different conclusion.

Probably because they put less hours on their aircraft. When you have a high performance combat aircraft with a lot of time on the airframe, mod programs become more and more difficult as you'll find your self fixing things that were not anticipated begin broke and the best maintenance programs in the world will not catch everything until you start ripping the aircraft apart and look and spaces that would normally never be accessed.

 

[Kruska]

Probably because they put less hours on their aircraft. When you have a high performance combat aircraft with a lot of time on the airframe, mod programs become more and more difficult as you'll find your self fixing things that were not anticipated begin broke and the best maintenance programs in the world will not catch everything until you start ripping the aircraft apart and look and spaces that would normally never be accessed.

Yes agreed, but don't forget that the upgrading does not take place soley on 25 year or 15 year old Tornados in service, but mostly by using preserved or stored airframes.

Regards
Kruska

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Yes agreed, but don't forget that the upgrading does not take place soley on 25 year or 15 year old Tornados in service, but mostly by using preserved or stored airframes.

Regards
Kruska

That would make a big difference, especially if they are low time airframes.

 

[Kruska]

That would make a big difference, especially if they are low time airframes.

I wouldn't know about the USAF, but requisition for GAF aircrafts such as F-104, Alpha Jet, Tornado and Eurofighter require a standard supplement of 15-20% on stored (never used) airframes and about 15% on interim stored aircrafts (after block upgrades) - usually after a service period of less then 5 years. The Tornado so far was exeptional that no upgrades were undertaken for almost 15 years.

Therefore the quantity stored (of never used) was still within 60 airframes and 45 interim frames.

Regards
Kruska

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Interesting....