Military Helicopter Problems
October 9: According to the US Navy, FOD causes most of the engine failures aboard the heavy Sea Dragon and Super Stallion military helicopters, which are in service in the US Navy, the US Marine Corps and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Image Credit: United States Navy
Finding Invisible FOD
September 17: The US Air Force’s 380th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron uses x-ray machines for “nondestructive” inspections of F-15E Strike Eagles and other warplanes, searching deep within the aircraft for hidden foreign object debris.
“It’s the quickest and most effective way to look … without tearing the aircraft apart.”
Image Credit: Tech Sgt Christopher Boitz, USAF
Bird Strike Science
September 8: Modelling the physics of avian collisions is a must for anyone trying to design aircraft structures that can still fly safely immediately after such an incident, according to Chris Jones, VP for aerospace and defence at Cyient.
“Working out a single, overarching approach to impact simulation first requires a comparative assessment of the three most common current methods of modelling…”
When the Rubber Meets the Load
August 31: The US Air Force’s 62nd Airlift Wing had a problem. Their cargo pallets kept falling apart, spreading nails, wood chunks and other debris across the AOA. Thousands of dollars blew away in the wind every time they had to built a new pallet. Then they hit on a solution:
“[We] know of a local rock quarry … that had worn out tires from their earth movers that they needed to get rid of…”
Image Credit: Staff Sgt Katie Jackson, USAF
Announcing Our New Runway Sweeper!
The FOD Control Corporation proudly announces the release of its new airport runway sweeper, the FOD-Razor™. This is a USA-manufactured, high-quality, lower-priced version of the popular friction mat sweeper that collects over 95% of everything it its path and is so portable that you can transport it in a pickup truck or small helicopter. Visit us online to learn more!
The FOD-Razor™ Airport Runway Sweeper (Triplex Version)
