Maintainers at Holloman AFB, N.M., recently pioneered new F-16 ground equipment that cleans the aircraft’s hydraulic system during maintenance, saving time and maintenance cost. The new hydraulic test “mules” incorporate a purification system that constantly strains the aircraft’s hydraulic fluid while it’s connected and running. The system is constantly “removing all the moisture, air, and particles out of the hydraulic fluid in the systems of the aircraft,” SMSgt. Ian Hall, 54th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aerospace air ground equipment flight chief, said in a release. Mules operate the aircraft’s hydraulic systems to facilitate ground maintenance and operational checks without requiring the F-16’s engine to be running. System contamination is not an uncommon issue with the F-16, and the new mules “will increase the system reliability,” saving maintenance costs and up to 230 gallons of hydraulic fluid each time the aircraft is drained and flushed, added Hall. The new mules are already used on several other aircraft types and the 54th AMXS conducted the first F-16-scrub on Nov. 4.
Hypersonic ARRW Readied for Booster Flight
March 8, 2021
An AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon hypersonic missile is being readied for its first booster flight at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., the Air Force announced March 5. The missile that flies within the next month will not be an all-up round. Instead, the test will run the missile through…