Northrop Grumman software predicts equipment failures

Northrop Grumman is developing a Predictive Failures & Advanced Diagnostics solution for legacy aircraft such as the F-16 (pictured), F-15, and C-130.

A Northrop Grumman team led by its Integrated Systems Sector is to develop software that will better diagnose problems and predict failures in systems aboard legacy aircraft, including F-16s, F-15s, and C-130s. The Predictive Failures & Advanced Diagnostics (PFAD) solution will better diagnose faults and predict failures in hardware such as radar, power-generation, and fuel subsystems. The U.S. Air Force expects PFAD software to substantially reduce subsystem life-cycle costs and increase the availability of its combat aircraft.

"We've worked successfully in this area over the past 10 years on aircraft ranging from the E-2C Hawkeye to the Joint Strike Fighter," said Robert Klein, Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Systems' Vice President of Engineering, Logistics, and Technology. "PFAD will help solve what's known as the 'cannot duplicate' problem. A pilot may experience a subsystem problem in the air, but once the plane is on the ground, technicians often cannot detect it. Also using prediction and diagnostics, we will move from phased maintenance to condition-based/-predicted maintenance to substantially reduce life-cycle costs."

Software development will initially be focused on the F-16 fighter since there is a great deal of synergy with existing F-16 radar supportability improvement initiatives under way at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector.

- Frank Bokulich

Hellenic Coast Guard gets its first F406 aircraft

Greece's Hellenic Coast Guard received its first F406 maritime surveillance aircraft from Reims Aviation.

The first of three F406 maritime surveillance aircraft ordered by Greece's Hellenic Coast Guard was delivered at a ceremony held by the aircraft manufacturer, Reims Aviation. All three airplanes will be delivered with a new cabin design that reduces the overall weight and has a longer life span. The aircraft were designed to simplify assembly and maintenance, provide better ergonomics for operators to reduce fatigue, and enhance thermal insulation and soundproofing.

The mission equipment built under the technical management of Reims includes a nose-mounted FLIR turret, a 360° belly-mounted search radar, an infrared/ultraviolet scanner, and a SLAR antenna fitted in the rear cone. This combination of equipment was designed to support maritime surveillance, rescue, and pollution-monitoring operations.

Pilot and operator training for the aircraft is currently underway at Reims. In total, 18 persons will be trained in using the new platform for surveillance and pollution monitoring.

- Frank Bokulich