RELIABILITY AND MAINTAINABILITY ISSUES FOR FUTURE MILITARY HELICOPTER ENGINES

Reliability and maintainability (R&M) achievements in the 2d generation of military helicopter turboshaft engines are exceptional. It is clear, however, that this occurred primarily because of extensive R&M efforts during the technology demonstrator phase and followed by a highly aggressive customer/developer R&M program during the development, production, and operational phases. Lessons learned from the 1st generation engines provided the primary basis for directing R&M efforts for the 2d generation. It is reasonable to expect even greater achievements in the 3d generation of engines if the customer and developer maintain a diligent attitude toward R&M and pay close attention to the lessons learned with the 2d generation.