Korean Air has won two MRO contracts from the US Air Force for F-16 fighters and H-53E helicopters. The company’s contract from the US Defense Department for the depot maintenance of US Marine and Navy H-53E heavy-lift helicopters is worth about 150 billion won (US$135 million). The maintenance program to be carried out by Korean Air consists of the inspection of main structures and individual components, exchanges and repair, operation checks and support for functional check flights. In particular, alignment adjustment and fuselage repair need to be performed due to the rotational and vibrational characteristics of the seven large-sized main rotor blades, four tail rotor blades and folding Tail Pylon. This type of work requires a higher level of maintenance compared to fixed wings such as A-10 and F-15.
The H-53E heavy-lift helicopters include CH-53E Super Stallion, operated by the US Marine Corps for the purpose of transporting troops and heavy cargo, and MH-53E Sea Dragon, operated by the US Navy for the purpose of searching and removing long-range naval mines. The CH-53E Super Stallion is the largest and heaviest helicopter owned by the US military. It uses three 4,000 horsepower engines and has a maximum take-off weight of 33 tons, similar to the weight of the F-15 fighter jet.
In addition, Korean Air has won a contract for service life extension and depot level maintenance of F-16 fighter jets deployed to the US forces in South Korea and Japan for about 10 years from November 2020 to September 2030. The deal is worth approximately 290 billion won (US$261 million). The service life extension program to be carried out by Korean Air is the highest level of aircraft maintenance. It includes reliability verification of the main parts of the F-16 fighter jets’ fuselage and wings; disassembly, inspection, corrosion prevention processes to extend the aircraft’s lifespan; and replacement of main structures. This work allows an aircraft to fly an additional 4,000 hours.
Korean Air has provided depot maintenance for the US military since 1978 and has successfully carried out depot maintenance and performance improvement projects for fighter jets and aircraft such as F-15, F-16, C-130 and A-10 as well as helicopters UH-60, CH-46 and CH-53. Since 1984, Korean Air has conducted depot maintenance for approximately 860 F-16 fighter jets.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at kym.bergmann@venturamedia.net
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Director of Sales Graham Joss at graham.joss@venturamedia.net
