SBIR/STTR Award attributes
Fighter systems, such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon, continue to play a vital role in missions that include suppression of enemy air defense, offensive counter air, defensive counter air, close air support, among other critical military missions. Due to the priority of these missions, aircraft readiness and availability is essential to support our warfighters. Unfortunately, the F-15 & F-16 propulsion system (F100 engine) has been the primary contributor to a number of Class A mishaps/failures primarily caused by mechanical system failures (e.g. bearing failures). Not only is this a safety issue for our pilots, this along leads to the inability for these platforms to carry out and accomplish missions necessary to maintain our superiority. Due to these propulsion bearing failures, a need exists for real-time onboard engine health monitoring of the F100 engine in order to keep the F-15 & F-16 platforms ready and available for critical military mission. To fill this gap, GasTOPS will bring forward their solution of online oil debris monitoring, METALSCAN, for the implementation on to the F100 propulsion system. For over 15 years GasTOPS has built a successful business in supplying METALSCAN to both aerospace and commercial applications, equating to approximately a $10M per year in revenue over the past 3 years. METALSCAN will help identify mechanical system failures before they occur which will arm operators and maintainers with pertinent information improve aircraft readiness, help eliminate Class A mishaps (saving the Air Force millions of dollars) and most importantly keep our pilots safe during operational missions. Utilizing GasTOPS deep expertise in the implementation of METALSCAN, GasTOPS has already initiated discussions with the F100 OEM, Pratt & Whitney, identified key personnel in LCMC/WA (Fighter & Advanced Aircraft Directorate) F-15 Eagle (Lead by Col Jesse Warren) and F-16 Falcon (Lead by Col Timothy Bailey) and the Propulsion Tinker Sustainment Center to begin laying out a demonstration and implementation plan to transition METALSCAN to the F100 fleet via execution of PH II and PH III efforts.
