Desert heat overwhelms flight-line AC units

[unhappycamper]

Engineers are modifying more than 100 flight-line air conditioners because the current systems won't work in extreme heat.


Desert heat overwhelms flight-line AC units
By Tom Spoth - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Dec 11, 2009 15:17:28 EST

Flight-line air conditioning units at U.S. bases in the Middle East are conking out because of the extreme heat, jeopardizing missions in the war zones.

The more than 100 faulty units are being modified by Air Force engineers for now and will be replaced in 2012 or 2013, when new ones are ready for delivery. The air conditioners date back to the 1990s and are in five countries — Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

Engineers have already developed a misting system for one model and are revamping two others. The Air Force didn’t put a price tag on either the modifications or the new units.

The problem lies with avionics systems in aircraft, which can’t be switched on until sufficiently cooled. If the avionics system is too hot, the aircraft must fly for an hour or more, until its internal cooling system can bring down the temperature of the avionics system.

“It is preventing maintenance, causing the rescheduling of maintenance, and potentially rescheduling flights,” said Harry Smith, an engineer with the 642nd Combat Sustainment Group at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. “It is a serious … concern.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/12/airforce_air_conditioners_121109/