A COMPREHENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM FOR THE T800-APW-800 ENGINE

In responding to U. S. Army requirements to improve LHX weapon system maintenance to the greatest extent possible, Textron Lycoming created an advanced engine mounted system for the T800-APW-800 gas turbine engine. Although named the "Engine Monitoring System" (EMS), it is much more than the name implies. It is a comprehensive diagnostic system which monitors, diagnoses and provides maintenance and repair instructions and mission data records. This EMS leads diagnostic technology with its ability to continously acquire, validate, monitor, analyze, record and manage all engine parameters. The EMS provides both flight and maintenance crew support with information on engine performance, condition, operational history, maintenance requirements, repair instructions and logistic information. With this information, automated diagnosis, maintenance and repair can be accomplished in a timely manner. All of this information is available to flight and maintenance crews and to fleet data collection centers. The system minimizes false diagnosis, reducing NEOF (No Evidence Of Failure) returns to depot. This is accomplished through the combination of automatic and semi-automatic diagnosis. The EMS maximizes engine availability, maintainability, reliability and operability while it minimizes engine life cycle costs.