Tinker SPO improves B-1 platform in multiple ways over one fiscal year Published Oct. 28, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker's B-1 System Program Office reached an impressive and unlikely feat Oct. 27. The planning and programming office supported 2,000 consecutive days of real world combat operations for the B-1B Lancer platform. As personnel looked back on their accomplishments, officials said they are particularly impressed with the achievements of seven projects in fiscal year 2011. "Our B-1s overseas are averaging five sorties a day of durations longer than your average work day here at Tinker, for five-and-a-half years straight, 2,000 days, every day, without fail," said Rick Cantwell, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Aerospace Sustainment Directorate B-1 Sustainment Division lead of Life Cycle Logistics. "That's endurance, commitment, the backbone of America's might." The B-1, a four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber, joined the Air Force fleet in 1986 as a nuclear bomber. In the 1990s, it changed functions and was used for conventional bombing, a mission it still performs today. As with any other weapon system, the B-1 has needed routine maintenance, faced its share of challenges and received upgrades. Hydraulic brake leaks Early in the fiscal year, there was an issue with the brake lines leaking hydraulic fluid. As a result, one aircraft was lost. The B-1 SPO at Tinker and engineers from Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah, studied the problem and found the root cause, which could be attributed to the inflexible brake swivels. As it was, the brake swivels were becoming loose and vibrating, which caused the rigid brake lines to rupture and leak hydraulic fluid. The team decided to replace the brake swivels and redesign the wheels and brakes. Un-commanded fuel movement Un-commanded fuel movement between tanks on the B-1 became another issue. "An aircraft like the B-1 uses fuel for a variety of things, other than just feeding the engines. We use it to cool down other parts of the airplane," Mr. Cantwell said. "Because of that, it has to move through the aircraft at all times." Due to the age of the aircraft, there are components that fail over time, and at that fail point fuel can move, changing the aircraft's center of gravity, which causes more issues for the fuel. To prevent further incidents and disruptions in the mission, engineers suggested using fuel tube bonding spring replacement and installing new engine fuel feed lines. "It's always a challenge sustaining and maintaining something that's getting older and older and older," Mr. Cantwell said. "Even if you have an old car; it's more of a challenge to keep it on the road than a new car." Advanced targeting sniper pod Unlike a car, the B-1 is needed overseas in the area of responsibility. In fiscal 2011, combatant commanders from the area of responsibility requested advanced targeted sniper pods be added to the B-1 fleet fighting overseas. The request came in as an urgent need. "We did that in record time and even today that's providing a really great benefit to our troops on the ground," Mr. Cantwell said. "It doesn't just target and kill, it targets and we can identify through communications to troops on the ground to avoid this or engage that. It's really handy, like another set of eyes in the sky." START II compliance requirements The B-1 also underwent work to ensure it meets the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or START, II compliance requirements. Also known as the "Hard Point" modification, launch points were disabled, which means crews dismantled the capabilities to hold or upload nuclear missiles. While the aircraft underwent that project, maintenance personnel also performed the new Digital Communications Improvement modification. "You can equate that to a car radio that had dials and now has pre-select buttons that shows the actual digital radio station," Mr. Cantwell said. "For the B-1, DCI brings it closer to being compliant in the joint world; in other words, being able to talk with Army, Navy and Marines all at the same time." Sustainment Block 14 The B-1 also received a software update, known as Sustainment Block 14, which allows pilots to use a laser with joint direct attack munitions to have more precise attacks on moving or stationary targets. Mr. Cantwell likened it to changing from a fairly wide potential target area to a laser pinpoint. "It intensely removes collateral damage," he said. "In the early days of this bomber, we were pretty much hand-tied by technology to attack stationary targets, but now are actively pursuing moving targets as well." High Velocity Maintenance In addition to enhancing the B-1, personnel are also researching ways to reduce the amount of time the aircraft spends in programmed depot maintenance. One way, which is proving to be highly effective, is high-velocity maintenance. Through HVM, officials said 32 flow days will be shaved off the process. Introduced two years ago, the HVM concept changes the way maintenance is performed on aircraft in the field at main operating bases and the depot. The prototype process goal ensures only four aircraft wait for maintenance in the depot at any given time. Typically eight aircraft await maintenance. Thirteen B-1s are undergoing the prototype process. If it proves successful, the B-1 HVM principles and newly developed capabilities will be applied to other weapon systems as they come to the air logistics center for PDM. While the improvements will only better and strengthen the fleet of 66 aircraft, Mr. Cantwell said the B-1 proves itself everyday to be an incredible aircraft. Overseas strike launch In March, the 28th Bomb Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., launched an overseas strike package to Libya -- a first for the bomber fleet. In what is called the first B-1 mission to leave from the continental United States to North Africa, it proved successful, Mr. Cantwell said. "All of these improvements position the platform to be able to fit more strike packages and open the commanders to a wider variety of options," Mr. Cantwell said. "We know we have an aging platform and these improvements keep our warfighters flying and safe. Just knowing that kept our nose to the grindstone and really showed us what was important." Mr. Cantwell said none of these improvements would be possible without the 76th Maintenance Wing, B-1 SPO and 848th Supply Chain Management Group personnel who contribute their efforts on a daily basis. As much as he appreciates their work, he has a specific shout-out. "Thanks to Howard Hazell of ICF International for his fleet data tracking expertise," he said. "He just happens to be the one who recognized the 2,000th combat-day threshold."