Life Cycle Cost in Preliminary Engine Design

To ensure cost effective programs, future military aircraft designs must more fully consider the sensitivity of weapon system life cycle cost to engine design life and duty cycle requirements. In many instances, the life of expensive engine parts can be extended with only a small change in cost or weight. This paper discusses the life cycle cost effects of the F100-PW-100 engine design life and duty cycle on the F-15 weapon system life cycle cost. The importance of establishing actual engine usage and duty cycle definitions early in the program and continual updating of these dynamic variables to minimize their impact on weapon system cost of ownership is shown.