First F117 engine produced at Tinker Published May 5, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tinker has another success to add to its résumé. The 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group, in partnership with Pratt & Whitney, recently completed repairs on the first F117 engine of the newly-obtained workload. The engine, manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, powers the C-17 Globemaster III, the Air Force's medium strategic and tactical airlifter. "April 25th was a significant and historic day for the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center," said Col. Robert Helgeson, 76th PMXG commander. "This day will forever be associated with the day that Tinker's F117 Heavy Maintenance Center produced its very first C-17 engine. The significance is that this engine was the first ever produced in partnership with an original equipment manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney. Additionally, production of this engine qualifies and certifies this HMC is capable to produce quality and conforming engines for the C-17 fleet." Situated next to Hollywood and Vine in Bldg. 3001, the Heavy Maintenance Center debuted in June 2010, after three years of planning. Work performed here consists of mostly on-condition maintenance, meaning when field personnel determine an engine isn't operating as efficiently as possible or there is something physically wrong with it, the engine is sent in for repair. Through the partnership, the OC-ALC provides floor space, equipment and touch labor while the Connecticut-based company supplies repair instructions, engineering support, supply chain management and repair supplies. Once the workload matures, engines are expected to arrive at Tinker every two to three days and each engine is estimated to take 60 days to fix. Due to the learning curve, the first engine took several months to finish, but officials said they expect the gap to close as technicians become more experienced. When engines leave Tinker, they are routed to Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., for testing. If they pass, they are assembled onto aircrafts. If engines fail the testing, they are returned here for further repair. Over the next five to six months testing capabilities are expected to be relocated to Tinker, said Leonard Hayes, 76th PMXG Engine Business Office depot activation manager. At 13-feet wide, 24-feet long and weighing approximately 10,000 pounds, the F117 is the largest engine repaired at the OC-ALC. A single engine produces approximately 41,000 pounds of thrust, which is nearly twice the thrust produced by an AWACS TF33 engine. Four F117 engines power each C-17, enabling it to reach speeds of 450 mph. It is expected Tinker will fix one-third of the workload. There are more than 1,000 F117 engines in the fleet. "These engines are being used all the time," Mr. Hayes said. "Anytime anything goes across the ocean, it almost always flies on one of these aircraft. These aircraft are also used for in-theater transport." Currently there are 30 mechanics in the shop working four engines, but that too is expected to change. Later this year, after the 45,000 square-foot shop is expanded to 96,000 square feet to accommodate a demand for six to ten engines at a time, with up to 150 technicians assigned to the workload. Approximately $43.6 million will be invested in the facility and equipment, compliments of the C-17 Program Office at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Ga. Over the next two years, management for the engine will be transferred to Oklahoma City, but the airframe will still be supported at WR-ALC. "This is just another testament to the viability of partnerships," said Steve Carter, 76th PMXG Engine Business Office program manager. Mr. Hayes agreed. "This sets up the ALC with a long-term workload," he said. "As other engines are beginning to decline, there will still be a steady work requirement and will be better set up for its way forward." The C-17 was introduced into the Air Force in July 1993 and is scheduled to retire in 2043. Tinker is expected to have the workload until the aircraft retires.