Research for the Finnish Air Force by VTT extended the life of high-pressure turbine blades in Hornets – almost hundredfold saving achieved

With the help of research by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the Finnish Air Force (FINAF) has succeeded in increasing the operational life of the high pressure turbine (HPT) blades of its Hornet jet engines by 10%. The saving for taxpayers is an estimated 3 million US dollars, or over 2.7 million euros, compared to which the research investment was modest and the return (ROI) almost 100 times the research investment.

FINAF sent the VTT’s research results and some used HPT blades to the engine manufacturer. On the basis of the research findings and its operational experience, GE increased the lifespan of the HPT blades for its F/A-18C/D Hornet engines (2 × General Electric F404-GE-402) by around 10%. The FINAF has adopted the new life limit into operational use since May 2015.

VTT’s research for FINAF has therefore created savings for the taxpayer and will ensure expertise-based security of supply in Finland.

Further information on VTT’s research on FINAF’s HPT blades is provided in the publication: http://www.vtt.fi/inf/julkaisut/muut/2013/ICAF_FinlandReview_2013_issue1_3April13.pdf

Further information:

VTT
Aslak Siljander, Principal Scientist
Tel. +358 50 555 5857
aslak.siljander@vtt.fi

Juhani Rantala, Senior Scientist
Tel. +358 400 570 386
juhani.rantala@vtt.fi

Further information on VTT:

Milka Lahnalammi-Vesivalo
Communications manager
358 40 5457 828
milka.lahnalammi-vesivalo@vtt.fi
www.vtt.fi

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is the leading research and technology company in the Nordic countries. We use our research and knowledge to provide expert services for our domestic and international customers and partners, and for both private and public sectors.  We use 4,000,000 hours of brainpower a year to develop new technological solutions.

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