Originally Posted by
Ivan Rogov
How much would they have saved by fitting more efficient engines the first time round?
Three comments:
1. The "first time round" was in 1952. The J57s installed then were pretty much state of the art.
2. When the TF33s were installed starting in 1961, they were pretty much state of the art.
3. The TF33s are not being replaced to improve efficiency. They are being replaced because they become unsupportable in 8 to 10 years. To put this in perspective, overhaul costs have tripled in the past 5 years and are continuing on the same upward trend. Improved efficiency, along with much greater time between overhaul is what will make the re-engine project pay for itself. The new engines will also enable much greater power generation capability, which will enable the further upgrade of the Buff over the next 3 to 4 decades. In the new design all eight engines will have generators (currently only four engines have generators) and each generator will have much high power generation capability than the old ones. Who knows, maybe lasers are in the Buff's future?