weasel1962 wrote:Does knocking on the doors of the engine shop at building 1339 and asking them what they do inside count? I understand they brought in extra tooling equipment specific to the maintenance of the SG GE engines.
It took me a few days to reach out to my contacts to "knock on the doors of the engine shop" at the 366th at Mt. Home.
I can confirm that the F-15SG F110-129 engines are maintained in a fully functional intermediate maintenance operation at Mt. Home. However, this maintenance is performed by Singapore AF personnel, using Singapore owned support equipment, in a separate area of the 366th engine shop.
This does not change my original point - the USAF currently has little or no F110 intermediate maintenance capability at any F-15C/D or F-15E base. If the F-15EX is procured by the USAF with the F110 engines, they will also have to purchase the necessary support equipment, train personnel, and ensure they have the shop and test cell facilities for those engines at that F-15 base.
Yes, it can be done, but it will be expensive to establish this new support capability at whatever USAF F-15 base they are located at.
And don't be fooled by the fact support equipment is less than 10% of the value of the aircraft or engine - I have seen major battles fought in the AF over the cost of support equipment
Of course, if they are equipped with the F100-PW-229, the job is easier. Both Nellis and Mt Home engine shops already have dual -220 / -229 capability, and the support equipment and training are about 80% common for these engines.