Navy Responsible Use Policy Halon Alternative Implementation Opportunities

Navy Responsible Use Policy & Halon Alternative Implementation Opportunities Presented 29 August 2000 at: FAA’s International Aircraft Systems Fire Protection Working Group Meeting Presented by: Bill Leach Naval Air Systems Command Fire Protection Team Leader

NAVAIR FIRE PROTECTION TEAM • • • NAWC Aircraft Division: Lakehurst NAWC Aircraft Division: Pax River NAWC Weapons Division: China Lake Naval Research Laboratory Naval Aviation Depots

MISSION To ensure that all Naval aircraft are protected with adequate on-board and ground-based fire protection systems. To develop and implement halon alternative systems which do not diminish the current levels of aircraft survivability and aircrew safety.

HALON 1301 NAVY RESPONSIBLE USE POLICY 1 - STOCKPILE • Support of In-Service Fleet • Projected to 2032, if Necessary 2 - MINIMIZE USE • New Maintenance Features • Recycle / Reclaim / Reuse 3 - ALTERNATIVE R&D • Develop Acceptable Alternatives • Implement Acceptable Alternatives

IMPLEMENTING HALON ALTERNATIVES --- THE EASY WAY --New Aircraft • Navy Success: V-22 & H-1 Upgrade • Apply HFC-125 Design Equation • Totally Familiar System Design Approach and Qualification Procedure {Note: Future discussion forthcoming to reconcile equation with FAA number} DOD

IMPLEMENTING HALON ALTERNATIVES --- THE CLEVER WAY --Aircraft with Redundant Halon Systems • In-Service Aircraft – Helos and Some Fixed Wing • Navy Success: CH-60 • Rewire Discharge Logic and Apply -125 Design Equation HFC – Dual Shot to Single Shot System • Historical Mishap Evaluation to Convince Safety Community of Acceptability

IMPLEMENTING HALON ALTERNATIVES --- THE CHALLENGING WAY --Aircraft w/o Redundant Halon Systems • • Rest of In-Service Fleet Navy Success: F/A-18 E/F HFC-125 with Redesigned Plumbing Other Options Also Researched – Gas Generator & Fine Water Mist Systems • Baseline to Halon, then Qualify by Fire

OTHER-THAN-ENGINE Dry Bays (Threat of Explosion) • Navy Success: F/A-18 E/F & V-22 • Inert Gas Generator System – “Muscled” Approach, Currently Evaluating Enhancements – Saved V-22 Ship 10

OTHER-THAN-ENGINE Fuel Tanks – Long History of Protection • OBIGGS, Foam – On-going Development Efforts • Active System – Applicant for ARAC Membership (Don Bein)

OTHER-THAN-ENGINE Hidden Compartments / EE Bays – Recent Testing – Fine Water Mist System – Aerosol Generator System

CONCLUSIONS • Halon Alternative R&D Has Been Very Fruitful – Still Research Opportunities to Investigate • Work Remaining: More Engineering than Science – Optimize Storage & Delivery vs. New Discoveries • Acceptable Halon Alternative Solutions are Currently Available and Flying – Halon is No Longer a Technical Requirement for New Aircraft Designs – Implementation of Halon Alternatives Is Proven – Question to All of Us: If You Can Do It, Why Aren’t You? ?