RSAF, Eurocopter and EADS to cooperate in R&D project on Condition-Based Maintenance

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and EADS parties, represented by EADS Singapore Research and Technology Centre (EADS SRTC), Eurocopter (EC) and its Singaporean subsidiary Eurocopter South East Asia (ESEA), jointly announced a 3-year collaborative research programme addressing Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM).

The respective signatories of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) are as follows:

The main goal of this research program is to develop and to demonstrate new capabilities of advanced technologies / methodologies required to enable Condition-based Maintenance (CBM) for RSAF AS332 military helicopter fleet. The key benefits of this international collaboration, involving centres of excellence in research and advanced technology development based in both Singapore and Europe, are aircraft availability, maintenance effort reduction, and cost savings.

This CBM concept is based on decision support techniques that could alleviate maintenance burden by triggering necessary maintenance tasks more efficiently. EuroHUMS™, an advanced health and usage monitoring system (HUMS), will be used to extract and manage relevant data for establishing a condition-based maintenance plan while ensuring continued airworthiness.

The RSAF operates a fleet of AS332 Super Puma aircraft installed with EuroHUMS™. The RSAF was the first military operators in the world to integrate HUMS technology for enhancing safety and maintainability of aircraft.

"A state-of-the-art diagnostic and prognostic maintenance system, supported by advanced sensors, is the goal of this research program. This is part of our continuing effort to leverage on the industry through joint collaboration to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Besides helping local research centres to move up the value chain through participation in technology development with international partners, it offers the RSAF an excellent opportunity to enhance our engineering capability” said Colonel Francis Cheong Han Kwok, Deputy Head Air Logistics (Engineering) of the RSAF.

Mr. Gerard Maitrepierre, President of ESEA elaborates: “This project shows the strong will of all the partners to achieve a major breakthrough in the implementation of a full scale “end-to-end” CBM environment for helicopters. And more importantly, the project will showcase and strengthen Singapore’s position as the centre of excellence for aerospace research and add value to the thriving local MRO hub.” He added: “This collaboration is a concrete example of how the industry and military organisation can partner effectively to translate a promising research concept into state-of-the-art helicopter maintenance practices.”

“I am pleased that EADS SRTC is participating in this challenging and impactful project together with a key EADS business unit like Eurocopter because it fulfils the vision of EADS Innovation Works to identify and develop technologies through close cooperation with EADS business units. This also affirms the excellent foresight of EADS in making the unprecedented step to establish a research and technology centre outside of Europe,” remarked Dr. Ulrich Schnaut, Chief Operating Officer of EADS SRTC.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of € 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000.EADS Singapore Research & Technology Centre is an extension of the Research Organization within the EADS Group (“EADS Innovation Works”) driven by its Global Industrial Development strategy. It manages projects for the EADS business units and EADS Innovation Works while performing its activities in close cooperation with Singaporean scientific institutions.

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2007, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover exceeding 4 billion Euros, orders for 802 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified   agents and   maintenance centres.   More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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