Advanced Turboprop Propulsion System Reliability and Maintenance Cost

The reliability and maintenance cost (R&MC) for an advanced turbine engine and prop-fan propulsion system is projected for high speed commercial airline use in the 1990s. The R&MC values are compared with current turboprop values and detailed discussion of the advances necessary to achieve the projected R&MC is provided to substantiate maintenance cost reductions on the order of 50 to 60%. These advances include an on-condition maintenance philosophy in conjunction with diagnostics to monitor system performance, improved reliability in the initial design that is consistent with airline usage and life requirements, improved modularity to reduce line maintenance time and aircraft down time, and simplified hardware in conjunction with modularity to reduce shop maintenance cost. Comparison of the advanced turboprop system maintenance cost with that of an advanced turbofan system shows it has competitive levels.