Improving the Efficiency of Engines for Large Nonfighter Aircraft (2007) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 7-17
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From page 7... ...
OVERVIEW OF AIR FORCE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND COST STRUCTURE Reducing energy consumption is now a strategic goal of the Department of Defense (DoD) : The Department of Defense is now serious about developing a strategic approach to energy consumption amd conservation No longer will energy be considered a free commodity.
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From page 8... ...
For this reason, the study reviewed each of these aircraft to determine whether there are engine improvements or, possibly, aerodynamic improvements that can be incorporated to reduce the overall fuel burden on the Air Force. The study also examined potential savings afforded by increased operational capabilities and maintenance measures that might lead to lower sustainment costs.
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From page 9... ...
. 9 redesign, or recertification of other major aircraft systems to include cockpit controls, bleed air systems, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, aircraft structure, as well as maintenance operations and technical publications.
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From page 10... ...
. Important factors that determine the total peacetime fuel bum of the Air Force large nonfighter aircraft fleet include fleet size, per-flying-hour fuel consumption, and the average annual usage rate in peacetime flying hours per aircraft per year.
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From page 11... ...
At other times, these assets are largely idle, with the use rate being held to the minimum necessary to maintain an adequate level of training for personnel. For example, the committee estimated if the fuel consumption of the entire non-fighter aircraft fleet could be reduced by 25 percent, based on 2005 fuel usage, that would equal a reduction in fuel consumption of approximately 0.5 billion gallons of fuel per year.
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From page 12... ...
In addition, commercial users routinely modify their engines to take advantage of new technology, making a new engine less beneficial than it would otherwise be. Military Re-engining Conceptually the potential for re-engining large, nontactical military aircraft remains attractive because of the low utilization and consequently longer service life of those weapons systems, the probability of major advancements in engine technology during that extended service life, and because mission suitability generally transcends financial justification as the primary analysis criterion.
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From page 13... ...
Any such changes might alter the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of this and previous studies. A follow-on study could reevaluate re-engining options for large nonfighter aircraft by pointing out explicitly how re-engining would allow the Air Force to alter its current and planned force structure to reduce overall fuel consumption and save money, while preserving the ability to execute the full range of missions required of it.
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From page 14... ...
SOURCE: Committee generated. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board Study on Technology Options for Unproved Air Vehicle Fuel Efficiency AS shown in Figure 1-3, the AFSAB stated that the United States currently depends on foreign sources for 63 percent of its annual fuel utilization (AFSAB, 2006; Karagozian, 2006)
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From page 15... ...
. When seeing techmology alternatives for improved engine efficiency, the Breguet range equation, shown in Figure 1-4, provides a convenient method for assessing the effects of fuel consumption, aerodynamics end structural characteristics considerations on overall aircraft fuel efficiency.
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From page 16... ...
-While utilizing alternative fuels may not directly impact the fuel efficiency of a given vehicle to any significant extent, this fuel efficiency study views the development of alternatives to crude-oil-brsed fuels to be of critical importance to the Air Force, since these fuels can be produced domestics ly Ed are therefore a relatively secure supply. Hence the present study did explore, in a limited way, potentia a ternative fuels that could be used in air vehicles in pa ticular.
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From page 17... ...
The following chapters analyze in depth the methodology for selecting the camdidate systems for modifying engines amd re-engining aircraft; additional factors that may reduce aircraft fuel consumption; promising alternative fuels and engine developments that may one day impact fuel consumption; amd innovative contracting and financing approaches that the Air Force may employ with industry to reduce engine development and sustainment costs. REFERENCES Published AFSAB (Air Force Scientific Ad~ismy Board)
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