Via Alert 5 from The Korea Times...
Alleged poor inspections by DAPA inspectors of the F-15K program were also blamed for frequent damage to the F-15K aircraft, the main component of South Korea’s air defenses.These problems will be resolved but in light of the flak being received by the F-35 by its critics then issues like this must be examined and it should be noted that anything involving the hand of man will not be perfect.
“When one of the engines was damaged by ingesting some foreign object (FOD), DAPA inspectors did not have the experience to thoroughly inspect the engine, so just the visible damage was repaired and the aircraft flew all the way to Korea from St. Louis,” an informed source told The Korea Times.
“When the aircraft arrived, the ROKAF technicians immediately discovered more damage inside the engine — damage that was so severe that it was outside the technical limits for repair and so the engine had to be replaced,” he said.
“The low quality of inspection could have resulted in a lost aircraft. If that had happened over the sea, no one would have found out the truth.”
The source expressed deep concern that one third of the F-15Ks already in Daegu also have broken avionics systems.
These series of problems raise questions about whether DAPA inspectors are properly inspecting the F-15K manufacturing process.
Again! Real issues with any program should be exposed and solved...but the FALSE accusations being tossed at the F-35 program are beyond annoying...they're becoming criminal.
Oh, what a dumb kid.
ReplyDeleteKey words: workmanship, FOD, inspection.
You are getting dumber by the minute, Solomon.
key words.....
ReplyDeleteavionics problems...
world wide production...
issues that a legacy jet are facing....
you just exposed yourself. if you're not Peter Goon then you're one of his disciples...which means that you're not worthy of my attention.
Sol,
ReplyDeleteThe F-15K has avionics and radars distinct from the F-15E and other F-15 variants.
Poor engine inspection is an institutional problem for the DAPA, who were responsible for giving a long-range flight the green light after unrepaired and uninspected FOD damage.
As the article notes, the DAPA personnel were entirely unprepared for their assigned roles and the mission was under-funded. 5 personnel for a major aircraft acquisition program.
Entirely inappropriate program management is the problem. Boeing should be checking these things out, too, but the responsibility sits with the Korean PMs.
"'There are five DAPA program managers in the United States. Four of them are obliged to be in St. Louis, while the other is supposed be in Connecticut, where P&W manufacturing facilities are located. But the engine inspector is based in St. Louis now.'
"'Instead of putting him at the engine maker’s facilities in Connecticut, where the engine maker is required to have an office for him, DAPA decided to keep him in St. Louis,' said the source.
"The inspector is an Army artillery officer lacking real technical experience, he noted.
"'When the engine maker offered to provide free training on engines to the officer, he refused,' said the source. "
Sol,would you feel comfortable inspecting an aircraft engine without training? How about deciding when the inside bits need repair? How about being responsible for engine production several hundred miles from where you go to work?