Ask An Expert- Aviation

[Albany Rifles]

In addition to what Monash said, naval aircraft have to be "hardened" (that's not the right term) against saltwater corrosion.

There's also the challenge of resupply of spare parts, especially engines.

Physical space is also a limiting factor.

That's why both the Carrier On Board Delivery (COD) flights are so important as well as UNREP. That's how they get most supplies needed. All engines are serialized and are tracked closely. The COD can deliver a new engine within a day usually.

As for hardening...well check out the difference in Air Force versus Navy fighter landings!



https://youtube.com/shorts/O9ca92_4e...zeabR0N2BOb0Ws

[tbm3fan]

I have a bit generalized one. What are the challenges of the carrier based operations for the aircraft in terms of maintenance and servicing? Or in short, what breaks down first in the Navy aircraft?

Since I am around older Navy planes and some who took care of them the #1 enemy driving costs for the Navy is corrosion. I just so found an article on exactly that. I know a little about that since corrosion is my #1 enemy when restoring the USS Hornet. Ship more steel used while planes more aluminum and magnesium used.

IMPACT OF MATERIALS DETERIORATION AND CORROSION ON THE U.S. NAVAL AVIATION’S READINESS

https://www.dau.edu/sites/default/fi...UG22-19858.pdf

[Albany Rifles]

Since I am around older Navy planes and some who toke care of them the #1 enemy driving costs for the Navy is corrosion. I just so found an article on exactly that. I know a little about that since corrosion is my #1 enemy when restoring the USS Hornet. Ship more steel used while planes more aluminum and magnesium used.

IMPACT OF MATERIALS DETERIORATION AND CORROSION ON THE U.S. NAVAL AVIATION’S READINESS

https://www.dau.edu/sites/default/fi...UG22-19858.pdf

You may be interested...or not...to learn in every DOD new acquisition program in the life cycle sustainment plan there must be a corrosion prevention plan specified in writing. Even software programs. Why software? Because you have to address how you plan to protect the server environment from moisture, etc, which effect the lifetime of server blades. Same for the client systems (notebooks, monitors, keyboards, etc.)

Corrosion is a big deal in DOD. It is why when coming back in from the field all vehicles had to go to the washrack to get them all cleaned and able to be relubed.

[jlvfr]

Didn't the RAF have a huge "shower" for their Nimrods, on the runway, for when they returned from those long overwater patrols?