An Analysis of Configuration Management of Aircraft Engines Delivered to Foreign Governments under FMS.

This study summarizes 1 Procedures used by the Naval Air Systems Command in establishing the product configuration identification baseline for an aircraft engine, 2 How changes are controlled during production, and 3 How the configuration is accounted for once the engine is delivered. The Technical Directive system identifies the configuration of an engine once it departs from its initial product baseline. The same system is used by foreign countries that have purchased Navy engines under FMS Programs. An overview of the engineering change proposal approved procedures as they relate to FMS are presented. Responsibilities of the various offices in coordinating engineering change proposals with FMS customers are discussed. This study reviews how configuration management of aircraft engines is carried out by a number of Program Managers with their FMS customers and analyzes current practices. Finally, the conclusions call for new guidelines and standardization in procedures for processing engineering changes related to FMS and more standardization in maintaining a common configuration for engines under FMS, especially when the engines are overhauled or repaired at Depot level by Naval Activities for FMS customers.