Aerotest (stand W536) is at the show promoting its water vapour-resistant Aero-bag concept, which it says could be used by the UAE air force to safely store spare General Electric F110 engines for its Lockheed Martin F-16E/F Desert Falcons.
The bag, on display at the show, is designed to protect engines against the effects of dust, sand and humidity while in storage.
"Our core business is test facilities, but we were asked by Lockheed if we could come up with a reusable water-resistant preservation system," says Aerotest project manager Mike Bruce, who is known within the company as "The Bag Man".
 |
|---|
© Billypix |
As a result, the company developed storage bags for the Allison T56 engines powering Lockheed C-130 Hercules and P-3 Orion aircraft, as well as the AE2100 for the updated C-130J model.
"We can do them for any engine," says Bruce, adding that the company was due to meet UAE air force officials to discuss a potential order for the bags.
"I've got a meeting with them next week to look at their F-16 engines, and the [Snecma M53] engines for their Dassault Mirage 2000-9s," he says. "We test their M53s - this is a follow-on requirement."
The Aero-bags - which cost $10,000-12,000 - can protect an engine in storage for up to six months, and reduce the risk of it sustaining damage during transit. They also negate the need for "inhibiting" an engine before storage, by running it up and pumping in a mix of oil and fuel to coat turbomachinery components. This coating must be washed off before the engine can be returned to service, says Bruce.
Engines are tested in the UAE by Hertfordshire, UK-based Aerotest's local subsidiary Aerotest LLC.
Source: Flight Daily News
