Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) A Critical Look at its Repairability.

Procurement of the UTTAS as designed in prototype models will require changes in the existing aircraft maintenance system to insure repairability at DS level. The UTTAS structural design was studied to assess the armys capability to repair the UTTAS if or when damaged in combat. Analogies are drawn between the complexity of the UTTAS and the Chinook and Skycrane. Historical examples of research and development efforts are used to point out the shortcomings experienced with the new technology associated with helicopters deployed in Vietnam. Criticism of many of those aircraft is correlated directly with the UTTAS to point out that new technology is not necessarily good technology with respect to repairability. The author contends that the new three level aircraft maintenance system that evolved from Vietnam experience is outmoded and incapable of supporting the UTTAS in the short, violent, lethal war scenario in Europe. Recommendations include a change in management of CMF 67 personnel to provide a large pool of skilled MOS 68 series repairmen revision of the three level system to provide theater capability for extensive GS airframe repair revision of TMs to provide standards of serviceability for peacetime and lesser standards for wartime pursuing new technology in airframe repair and retentionprocurement of a simpler refined technology aircraft. Author