Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 February 2016
Some in-service deterioration in any mechanical device,such as an aircraft’s gas-turbine engine, isinevitable. However, its extent and rate depend uponthe qualities of design and manufacture, as well ason the maintenance/repair practices followed by theusers. Deterioration of an engine normally resultsin the engine seeking a different steadyoperating-point relative to that for an enginewithout any deterioration. The variation in engine’ssteady operating point leads to changes in thespecific fuel consumption (SFC) and/or fuel flow(FF). Any rise in SFC and/or FF and thereby theincreased quantity of fuel required is of primeimportance in military aviation.
For a military aircraft’s mission-profiles (consistingof several flight-segments), using a bespokecomputer simulations, the consequences oflow-pressure compressor’s deterioration of anaeroengine upon the weight of the fuel that has tobe carried and consumed are predicted. This willhelp in making wiser management decisions (such aswhether to remove an aero-engine from the aircraftfor maintenance or to continue using it with somechanges in aircraft’s mission profile). Henceimproved engine utilization can be achieved, soresulting in lower overall life-cycle costs.