CBM Fleet Implementation and Maintenance Decision Making Through Fatigue Life Management: Utilization and Parts Remediation Processes

Apache's CBM Objectives of Reduced Soldier Burden, Increased Aircraft Availability, Enhanced Safety and Reduced Operational & Support (O&S) Costs drive Technical Initiatives. These initiatives include the management of Fatigue Life Limited Components (FLLC) to extend a component's useful life on the aircraft and monitoring that component's cumulative damage. A Remediation program combined with a Usage Monitoring process produces an achievable Fatigue Life Management Program. By extending a component's time-on-wing, the CBM objectives of reduced soldier burden is achieved because the soldier is not removing components prematurely; Increased Aircraft Availability is achieved because the aircraft is not down for maintenance, while the part is being removed; and Reduced O&S costs are achieved because good parts are not thrown away. Sandia National Labs (SNL) brief to PEOAVN MG Bergantz, dated 18 September 2002, analyzed Apache data which indicated contributors to availability such as: Maintenance performed with no parts replacement; Scheduled inspections/maintenance; and Phase maintenance inspections.