Posted on 04/30/2007 5:14:03 PM PDT by nypokerface
FORT WORTH, Texas, April 30 (UPI) -- An automated network has been launched to monitor the mechanical health of the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter and keep the planes flying at lower cost.
The F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) is capable of keeping tabs on the systems within the next-generation warplane in order to plan support and maintenance more efficiently.
"Each F-35 will constantly monitor its own systems and automatically relay information to ALIS," Lockheed Vice President Kimberly Gavaletz explained in a statement. "In turn, ALIS will provide an information infrastructure that captures, analyzes, identifies and communicates F-35 characteristics and data, providing information and decision support for Lightning II users worldwide."
Lockheed stated that maintenance and other support costs account for about two-thirds of the total cost of a warplane program over its entire lifespan. It anticipates that a constant supply of real-time data will enable ground crews to detect and fix problems in their early stages before they become more expensive and keep the plane grounded for a longer period.
The United States has a great deal riding on the Joint Strike Fighter. It is being designed with variants specific to the Air Force, Navy and Marines. It is also expected to be deployed with foreign air forces. Lockheed said up to 4,500 Lightning II planes will be in the field in coming years.
The F-35 Lightning II won't be operational until 2012; however, Lockheed plans to use ALIS to capture data from test aircraft currently going through their paces out of Lockheed's Fort Worth facility.
“...and keep the planes flying at lower cost.”
Lower cost is a very relative term for an aircraft this specialized and complicated. Lower than what, burning $100 bills in the BBQ pit as fast as you can throw them in?
I know we need this aircraft, but we are not well served if we hide how many tens of thousands of dollars an hour it will cost to operate.
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