Aeronautical Systems Center engaged a small business vendor, ITCN, Inc., in Centerville, Ohio, to help develop a better means for B-2 bomber maintainers to identify avionics problems—it worked. The prototype databus will help B-2 technicians isolate wiring cable problems to within six to 12 inches, which means they can find “performance discrepancies with pinpoint accuracy,” improving B-2 mission readiness, reports ASC’s Bruce Long. ASC expects to field the prototype unit at Whiteman AFB, Mo., sometime this month for further testing.
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.