AACL along with our partners DRS and Thomas Instrument, completed the final delivery of the reverse engineered C-5 trailing edge flap ball screws to Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. On May 2nd, in partnership with the 559th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the C-5 Galaxy Systems Program Office (SPO), the components successfully passed the final Form, Fit and Function test on an actual C-5 aircraft. These components have experienced heavy wear and high failure after many years of service on the aircraft, and approximately 50% of the components are replaced during programmed depot maintenance. Because of the high demand rate for these items and the fact that the Air Force did not own the manufacturing procurement data, the ability to ensure supply supportability for these items has been severely diminished.
One of the deliverables provided by AACL and our partners is a full technical data package that will allow the Air Force to procure newly manufactured items through competitive acquisitions. As noted by James Hill, AACL’s CEO, “The Air Force is challenged with lowering the cost of sustaining these aging weapons systems. The ability to obtain multiple bids for the manufacture of these parts in the future should help achieve that goal.” The completed reverse engineering effort will ensure that the C-5 SPO can procure new components, thus increasing the reliability of the items and overall mission availability of the C-5 aircraft.