C-5 Strategic Airlift, C-130 Tactical Airlift, and H-60 Helicopter Corrosion Prevention and Control Program Management Strategies

The C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Tactical Airlift, and the H-60 Helicopter Divisions located at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center have entered a new era of Corrosion Prevention and Control (CPC) to address the degradation impacts of corrosion and adequately sustain these fleets through their service life. CPC programs are transitioning from a reactionary mode of operation to one of strategic and tactical corrosion management planning and execution. Such an approach facilitates recognition of patterns and trends, foresee issues, and predict outcomes. An effective corrosion management planning will ultimately lead to improvements in operational availability, reliability improvement, and/ or reduction in maintenance at a reduced cost.

Strategic objectives are foundational to leading the CPC programs through the corrosion challenges over the next five years.  They include: developing standardized methodologies for collecting and analyzing corrosion related costs, readiness, and safety data; building and maintaining a knowledge base of corrosion prevention, detection, prediction, mitigation, and treatment processes, leading-edge technologies, R&D results, and technology transition successes; and development/ implementation of prognostics, diagnostics, and integrated health monitoring systems to facilitate a transition to Condition Based-Maintenance concepts. 

A significant challenge to achieving strategic objectives is developing actionable items that can be implemented within 1-3 years and would reduce the cost of corrosion of Air Force’s fleet of aircraft while maintaining or improving levels of operational readiness. Tactical objectives are essential to addressing this challenge and managing the CPC program through the corrosion issues over the next five years and include, among other actions: field corrosion assessments and surveys; quarterly management reviews of corrosion issues; and fielding of new materials and other corrosion prevention products.  

This paper outlines the methodologies used by the C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Tactical Airlift, and H-60 Helicopter SPOs to effectively employ new and existing materials and processes to mitigate the impact of corrosion.