An infomercial inspired William Durham, with the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., to try a steamer and detergent, instead of the current hazardous chemicals, to clean the carbonized fuel, called coking, off of F-15 engine parts. The experiment yielded clean fuel distribution bodies, eliminated the environmentally hazardous chemical cleanser, and has saved the Air Force tens of thousands of dollars. And, it netted Durham $10,000 from the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness Program.
In a pair of major contracts announced July 31, the Pentagon awarded a combined $7.8 billion for new missiles, including JASSM and AMRAAM.