F35 “Intergranular Corrosion “
Thread Starter
F35 “Intergranular Corrosion “
If the reports are to be believed, The F35 aluminium alloys are prone to intergranular corrosion to the point where they appear to have the corrosion resistance of spaghetti.
One can understand why Lockheed and the U.S. defence forces couldn’t care less. However I would have thought Australia bought these airframes to last 30 years +. Intergranular corrosion in my memory, sets up multiple microscopic sites for fatigue cracking.
‘’So has the RAAF once again followed the great Australian tradition of substandard defence engineering and purchasing?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-...osion/11085220
One can understand why Lockheed and the U.S. defence forces couldn’t care less. However I would have thought Australia bought these airframes to last 30 years +. Intergranular corrosion in my memory, sets up multiple microscopic sites for fatigue cracking.
‘’So has the RAAF once again followed the great Australian tradition of substandard defence engineering and purchasing?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-...osion/11085220
Potential risk, detailed analysis, solutions and recommendations made.
What exactly is the problem?
As an aside, all recent RAAF projects have gone pretty well wouldn’t you agree Sunfish? Super Hornet, Growler, C-17, P-8, Falcon 7X, KC-30 and Wedgetail have matured into the best systems of their type in the world. I’m not exactly sure what you’re trying to infer, unless you’re trying to use projects from decades ago that aren’t relevant... but I’m sure you wouldn’t be grasping for attention by clutching at straws; would you?
What exactly is the problem?
As an aside, all recent RAAF projects have gone pretty well wouldn’t you agree Sunfish? Super Hornet, Growler, C-17, P-8, Falcon 7X, KC-30 and Wedgetail have matured into the best systems of their type in the world. I’m not exactly sure what you’re trying to infer, unless you’re trying to use projects from decades ago that aren’t relevant... but I’m sure you wouldn’t be grasping for attention by clutching at straws; would you?
Some of us love ADF aviation.
Proudly followed in our household.
Hmmm - intergranular corrosion; would that be anything to do with the fact they're being flown near to or in a salty environment?!
Sorry ABC - I smell a bit of a beat up...
Proudly followed in our household.
Hmmm - intergranular corrosion; would that be anything to do with the fact they're being flown near to or in a salty environment?!
Sorry ABC - I smell a bit of a beat up...
Fact remains that Lockheed have had similar problems before on the C141, C130, C5, and P3. I am not sure if this is related to the corrosion issues found in 2017.
Most times it has been traced back to the material selection and lack of primer.
Most times it has been traced back to the material selection and lack of primer.
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Further reading
For those interested in further reading on the matter, here are the links to the Defence Department 'Freedom of Information' (FoI) responses which solicited the KPMG analysis report quoted by the ABC article linked to above.
FoI Response - 'Staement of Reasons'
http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/D...tOfReasons.pdf
KPMG Report - 'F-35 Cost Study on Corrosion Mitigation Options'
http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/D..._Documents.pdf
FoI Response - 'Staement of Reasons'
http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/D...tOfReasons.pdf
KPMG Report - 'F-35 Cost Study on Corrosion Mitigation Options'
http://www.defence.gov.au/FOI/Docs/D..._Documents.pdf
One of the ‘Big 4’ was engaged? That settles it.
They call the Federal government “The Dairy”.
They call the Federal government “The Dairy”.
Thread Starter
Thank you A30, I note “the annual cost is (redacted ) -meaning it will enrage taxpayers.
VH - LFA: ‘2% of GDP” is a LOT of money.
Slezy: Not anti ADF but anti ADF engineering.
First interest - the @#$% naval morons that allowed flexible fuel lines to be fitted to HMAS WESTRALIA.
- seeing first hand the state of HMAS Tobruk some years before it was decommissioned.
- the Seasprite saga $1.4 billion
- the F111 DESEAL/RESEAL disaster.
- the collins class submarine.
......and probably many more hidden.
VH - LFA: ‘2% of GDP” is a LOT of money.
Slezy: Not anti ADF but anti ADF engineering.
First interest - the @#$% naval morons that allowed flexible fuel lines to be fitted to HMAS WESTRALIA.
- seeing first hand the state of HMAS Tobruk some years before it was decommissioned.
- the Seasprite saga $1.4 billion
- the F111 DESEAL/RESEAL disaster.
- the collins class submarine.
......and probably many more hidden.
The F111 deseal/reseal mess was one of about four case studies in an OH&S textbook I read about ten years ago.
The point was made that the reason Australia had health problems with RAAF personnel, while the USAF had no problems was that...
In Australia we had a problem because we did things somewhere near right, while in America they hid their problem by inflicting it on people who would go away.
We are in worrying times an 2% is not enough to spend on defence. But as a taxpayer who wouldn't be concerned with the blunders ? You look at Singapore for example, often savvy buying and they do localise equipment!
Whereas the RAAF on paper seems to be indisputably the most capable air arm in the region, there is no less an urgency for a potent navy. Bungled projects, strategies and national pork barrelling have left the navy short of where it needs to be.
