Refurbishing---Re-conditioning---Upgrading---Older Aircraft---Reminds of Japanese reconditoned Cars

[Donatello]

Hi,

With the cost of new aircraft going up and up---the manufacturer is going to find a way to fulfill the needs of customers at the lower end of the spectrum or those who believe in ther product---.

Like Pakistan air force----they got their F16's re-furbished---like the Indian air force---they are getting their Mirage 2k's refurbished----like the Argentinian air force----they are buying re-furbished air craft---the indian air force is going to get their su30 upgraded as well---the possibility is that the USAF F15 silent eagles might also be upgraded to carry a heavier load of BVR's----.

So---the options are endless for the re-furbish---reconditioned----upgrade market---.

But their is a limit to the airframe parts that can be replaced or repaired. This is not your usual auto shop denting and pulling on a gig. No sir, hairline cracks are the worst nightmare.......beyond a certain limit, the air-frame is of no use, We did that with Mirage III/V because we literally had so many spare airframes........with F-16s that's a very restrictive cause. In any case, F-16s will be serving minimum of 15 years (MLU-ed) to 25 for new ones. But by then, 5th Gen would be making a homecoming here.

 

[MastanKhan]

But their is a limit to the airframe parts that can be replaced or repaired. This is not your usual auto shop denting and pulling on a gig. No sir, hairline cracks are the worst nightmare.......beyond a certain limit, the air-frame is of no use, We did that with Mirage III/V because we literally had so many spare airframes........with F-16s that's a very restrictive cause. In any case, F-16s will be serving minimum of 15 years (MLU-ed) to 25 for new ones. But by then, 5th Gen would be making a homecoming here.

Hi,

Thank you for your post---. The 4th and 4.5 gen aircraft are going to stay for a long time---. Older aircraft getting a new lease o n life is a reality---. The technology for testing airframe hairline fractures has advances as well---and maintenance is very conscious of the fact---but that is not going to hold back the reconditioning---.

A 30 years old aircraft getting another 15 years in life and then equipped with the most advanced electronics and weapons package that it never imagined at the time of its inception is a massive leap in the field of refurbishing older aircraft.