F119 project test run wraps up

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --   For team members of the Tinker-Pratt & Whitney F119 engine partnership, Dec. 7 was a big day. The 4325 workload, a 21-month project test-run, wrapped and was deemed a success.

In March 2011, Tinker welcomed a full F119 fifth-generation compass-vector engine. Over the course of the 21 months, the engine was taken apart, tested, analyzed and rebuilt. On Dec. 7, the engine was loaded onto a tractor-trailer and driven to West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin another phase of testing.

"Standing up all the new Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex back-shop capability, coupled with the analytical condition inspection truly represents a huge accomplishment," said Jay Mullooly, Pratt & Whitney Heavy Maintenance Center F119 manager. "As this was the first time through for a full 4325 engine overhaul, all facets of the technical data, processes and procedures were put to the test. In total, all the tech data revisions, tooling qualifications and process updates, represents a step change in overall readiness for fifth generation engine overhaul.

"There's still work to do to fulfill our overall readiness plan, but the facility is ready to take on fifth-generation fighter-engine maintenance," said Mr. Mullooly. "Production volumes will ramp up in 2013 through 2014 and we'll be in full production by 2015. That's a big future for the base."

In 2000, the Air Force partnered with Pratt & Whitney to begin the planning and defining of logistics for standing up a heavy maintenance center for the F119 engine. The Special Program Office located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base supports the program by providing overall engine management, technical support and tooling development/qualification services.

In 2004, the Air Force and Pratt & Whitney cut the ribbon on the heavy maintenance center here. Tinker has already been performing unscheduled module repairs on the engine over the last few years, but not to the extent of the full 4325 engine work-scope.
The significance of 4325 refers to the number of total accumulated cycles the engine performed. When the workload is fully ramped up, 225 total modules will be delivered to Tinker to undergo the overhaul annually. The F119 is made up of four modules - fan, core, low-pressure turbine and nozzle.

"This partnership between Pratt & Whitney and the Air Force successfully worked together to bring the engine in, define a work scope, work to accomplish the repairs and bring them back on schedule and be able to support each other in that way," said Brian Thompson, 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group Business Office F119 program manager.

F119 project test run wraps up

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. O'Brien
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla --   For team members of the Tinker-Pratt & Whitney F119 engine partnership, Dec. 7 was a big day. The 4325 workload, a 21-month project test-run, wrapped and was deemed a success.

In March 2011, Tinker welcomed a full F119 fifth-generation compass-vector engine. Over the course of the 21 months, the engine was taken apart, tested, analyzed and rebuilt. On Dec. 7, the engine was loaded onto a tractor-trailer and driven to West Palm Beach, Fla., to begin another phase of testing.

"Standing up all the new Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex back-shop capability, coupled with the analytical condition inspection truly represents a huge accomplishment," said Jay Mullooly, Pratt & Whitney Heavy Maintenance Center F119 manager. "As this was the first time through for a full 4325 engine overhaul, all facets of the technical data, processes and procedures were put to the test. In total, all the tech data revisions, tooling qualifications and process updates, represents a step change in overall readiness for fifth generation engine overhaul.

"There's still work to do to fulfill our overall readiness plan, but the facility is ready to take on fifth-generation fighter-engine maintenance," said Mr. Mullooly. "Production volumes will ramp up in 2013 through 2014 and we'll be in full production by 2015. That's a big future for the base."

In 2000, the Air Force partnered with Pratt & Whitney to begin the planning and defining of logistics for standing up a heavy maintenance center for the F119 engine. The Special Program Office located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base supports the program by providing overall engine management, technical support and tooling development/qualification services.

In 2004, the Air Force and Pratt & Whitney cut the ribbon on the heavy maintenance center here. Tinker has already been performing unscheduled module repairs on the engine over the last few years, but not to the extent of the full 4325 engine work-scope.
The significance of 4325 refers to the number of total accumulated cycles the engine performed. When the workload is fully ramped up, 225 total modules will be delivered to Tinker to undergo the overhaul annually. The F119 is made up of four modules - fan, core, low-pressure turbine and nozzle.

"This partnership between Pratt & Whitney and the Air Force successfully worked together to bring the engine in, define a work scope, work to accomplish the repairs and bring them back on schedule and be able to support each other in that way," said Brian Thompson, 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group Business Office F119 program manager.