| Apache Blade Repair Awarded to CTI
AMCOM has awarded CTI a $3.6 million contract to repair and return to service AH-64 main rotor blades, previously thought to be non-repairable. First delivery of repaired rotor blades is scheduled for June 2000.
Spar disbonding beyond allowable limits has been a common problem with AH-64 mains, necessitating removal from service at a small fraction of their design fatigue life. Unscheduled replacement of main rotor blades has been a major cost driver in Apache operations.
In close collaboration with AMCOM engineers, CTI undertook a two-year program of engineering investigation and analysis to identify the underlying cause of the disbond, and then develop an innovative, proprietary repair scheme to restore strength to the disbonded area and prevent further disbonds from occurring. The goal that CTI and AMCOM had set themselves - the recovery and cost-effective return to service of previously scrapped main rotor blades - was achieved.
The development of the disbond repair by CTI (at CTI cost), and subsequent qualification by AMCOM represents a major benefit to the Army's Apache squadrons in terms of cost savings and improvements in operational readiness.
|
USCG Contract Award
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded CTI a $3.6 million contract for repair of HH-65 main rotor blades and tip caps, referred commercially as 365 Dauphin. The USCG maintains a fleet of 93 HH-65 helicopters mainly for search and rescue missions.
This contract is a continuation of business with the USCG, having just completed work under two separate five year contracts to support the HH-65 fleet. Under these previous contracts, CTI has delivered a total of 1,288 rotor blades and tip caps to the USCG.
All repairs were and will be conducted under Eurocopter license, providing the USCG ongoing rotor blade repair including CTI unmatched warranty in the industry (3 years or 2,000 hours). In addition, CTI has developed manufacturer approved tooling specific to this program to meet the unique needs of the USCG and support their mission requirements.
Because of CTI's extensive experience with the HH-65 rotor blades, CTI is able to work with the manufacturer to maintain adequate spares stock level at CTI to meet the contracted turn around time. Hoa Hong, who has been working for CTI for 12 years, supports this program as production lead.
|
