NMC initiates transmission housings project for helicopters.
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Press Release Summary:
NMC has received direction from Navy ManTech to initiate an H-53 helicopter project, "Improved Manufacturing Materials and Processes for Corrosion Resistant Transmission Housings," which will improve acquisition cost, life-cycle cost and corrosion resistance of the current cast H-53 transmission housings. Team will optimize the housings to reduce maintenance and replacement costs while maintaining the weight provided by current magnesium castings.
Original Press Release:
NMC Initiates New Corrosion Resistant Transmission Housings Project in Support of H-53 Helicopter
The Navy Metalworking Center (NMC) has received direction from Navy ManTech to initiate an H-53 helicopter project, "Improved Manufacturing Materials and Processes for Corrosion Resistant Transmission Housings." NMC is working with an Integrated Project team comprised of H-53 prime contractor Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and key engineers from Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River and Naval Air Depot, Cherry Point to execute the project, which will improve acquisition cost, life-cycle cost and corrosion resistance of the current cast H-53 transmission housings.
Traditional magnesium transmission housings require replacement or intensive maintenance, mainly due to corrosion damage. Although corrosion-resistant coatings are used, they are often damaged during operation and maintenance. Other alloys with a low corrosion rate like aluminum, lack ballistic strength and are heavier. For example, replacing magnesium with aluminum in one dozen castings would increase the weight of the H-53 by several hundred pounds.
The project team will optimize the transmission housings to substantially reduce maintenance and replacement costs while maintaining the weight provided by current magnesium castings.
Along with the H-53 helicopter transmission housing application, the technology on this project can be transferred to additional H-53 components, later variants and similar components in the MH-60R, MH-60S, and other helicopters.
For more information, contact:
Daniel L. Winterscheidt
NMC Program Director
814-269-6840
