The Air Force Center for Civil Engineering and the Environment is constructing a 63,645-square foot hangar at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, to handle corrosion control maintenance for the base’s new C-17 airlifters. An AFCEE release notes that Hickam currently has no facility large enough to handle paint and wash functions for the C-17s. The center also plans to build a 25,031-square foot maintenance shop for the new aircraft. Despite the island’s traditionally good weather, Hickam does get trade winds on a routine basis that make outdoors operations too hazardous. AFCEE expects to complete work on the C-17 projects in December.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.