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76th SMXG aims to set the pace for engine testing

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  • By John Parker
  • Staff Writer
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE - Okla. --  The 76th Software Maintenance Group has proposed its state-of-the-art engine testing system as a replacement for older testing platforms throughout the Air Force.

Answering a formal Request for Information from Air Force Materiel Command earlier this year, 76th SMXG proposed its Pacer Comet 4 (PC4) engine testing and diagnostics system as a standardized alternative to the majority of engine test stands in use today.

"We've been making a push because there are so many engine test systems scattered across the entire Air Force," said Clint Hladik, Flight Chief over the Pacer Comet 4 depot and field program. "There's the potential of making PC4 the standard across the
Air Force as the field looks into procuring future engine test stands."

Pacer Comet 4 is the software portion of an engine testing system developed by 76th SMXG and is currently in use in eight test cells at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex.

First developed in 2005, the Air Force-owned Pacer Comet 4 system has spread since then to four test cells at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., one at the Springfield Air National Guard Base, Illinois, and one at an Air National Guard base in New Orleans.
More PC4 test cells are in the works at the OC-ALC, Bradley Air National Guard Base, Conn., and Whiteman Air Force Base, MO.

Pacer Comet 4's advantage over other legacy platforms is that it uses modern data acquisition systems and is adaptable to all engines, from turboprops (a jet engine powering a propeller) to turbofans (like those on a jetliner). Most test cells still use obsolete data acquisition systems such as gauges and dials and can only test one or two specific engine types.

Pacer Comet 4's motto is "any cell, any engine," including the cutting-edge F135 that powers the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It's also adaptable to future engines yet to be built, the engineers said.

"That's really what's fueling the proliferation of PC4," said Al Beamish, chief of the SMXG's 555th Software Maintenance Squadron. "Other commands and other sites are saying, 'Hey, they've got this great new test system at Tinker!' The Air Force owns it. It's reasonably priced. They sustain it, and they'll be there for long-term to take care of the system so that obsolescence won't be an issue in the future."

Corey Oltmann, PC4 project lead, said a standardized test cell system would prevent having to ship engines to the few specific locations set up to test them.

"Also, if you have PC4 at multiple bases, you're testing the same at Edwards AFB as you are at Springfield National Guard, so there's consistency among runs and consistency among that engine type throughout the Air Force," Mr. Oltmann said.

The Department of Defense's F-35 Joint Program Office selected PC4 as its test cell system for Pratt & Whitney's F135 engine.

Gary Perkins, F135 depot engine test integration manager for Pratt & Whitney, has worked closely with 76th SMXG and the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group.

"The F135 is an advanced fighter engine, and it required challenging communication protocols, electronic interfaces and software coding to setup the engine test control system," Mr. Perkins said.

Pacer Comet 4 "has proven to work out exceptionally well due to the system capability and flexibility, and due to the technical expertise and dedication from SMXG engineers,"
Mr. Perkins added. "This system provides a test operator with a simple and efficient engine control interface.  The entire team should be commended for creating this marvel, and should be proud of the results of their hard work."

AFMC is expected to decide whether to go ahead with a test cell standard this fall, Mr. Beamish said. The 76th SMXG is hoping it chooses PC4, a system that would standardize Air Force engine testing for the first time, they said.