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Research and Development facilities at Ames, Lewis, and Langley Research Cen- 

 ters. Roughly $300 million was appropriated for this effort through FY 1993, and 

 LaRC received approximately $59 million. These funds were used to replace worn 

 out and obsolete components and to enhance operating reliability, quality, and 

 productivity of research. This effort included the Hypersonic Facilities Complex, 

 six major wind tunnels, and the high pressure air distribution system at Langley. 

 To better concentrate available resources on the most productive facilities and en- 

 hance the ability to serve industry, LaRC has either closed, or is considering clo- 

 sure of, some of its older facilities. The 7x10 foot High Speed Tunnel (48 yrs. old) 

 was closed in 1993; the 8 foot Transonic Pressure Tunnel (40 yrs. old) and the 

 30x60 foot Tunnel (63 yrs. old) are imder consideration for closure within the next 

 two years. 



In summary, LaRC facilities are old and contain many obsolete components that 

 have been maintained in operational condition through an aggressive maintenance 

 program. LaRC does experience periodic breakdowns that impact industry and 

 NASA research, and the risk will continue to grow with time. 



Ames Research Center 



At the Ames Research Center (ARC), the benefits of the aeronautical facilities re- 

 vitalization program are coming to fmition. The 12 foot Pressure Wind Tunnel 

 Restoration Project (approximately $102 million) is nearing completion and the 

 facility will be placed in operation in FY 1995. This restoration project wiU return 

 this unique facility to its original operating pressure level of 6 atmospheres and wUl 

 provide a two to three folcT increase in productivity over the original tunnel. The 

 Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel Modernization Project (63 million dollars) is now en- 

 tering the initial construction phase. This project will modernize major portions of 

 the original equipment, which has been in continuous operation for 40 years, and 

 will provide a 50 percent increase in productivity over the original tunnel. 

 Major breakdowns and lengthy repair incidents result in unplanned down-time of 

 key facilities. Down- time ofmajor test and development facilities affects both effi- 

 ciency and the ability to meet program schedules. Since the operational crews are 

 idle during down-time, there is also a significant loss in efficiency. Down-time can 

 affect program schedules in two ways. If the testing window is constrained and 

 cannot be changed, a reduction in the scope of the testing invariably results. If the 

 schedule can or must slide, then testing time is extended, which incurs additional 

 cost to the clients, both in direct support of the test and in the costs associated 

 with the design team. The down-time causes all other tests on the schedule to slip, 

 or to search for alternate facilities if a slip is intolerable. Down-time also reduces 

 the throughput by reducing the number of tests that can be accomplished during 

 the occupancy year. 



Lewis Research Center 



The aeronautical facilities revitalization program at the Lewis Research Center 

 (LeRC) consisted of a number of rehabilitation projects to Lewis' aeronautical 

 testing facilities and centralized support systems. Some typical examples are: Re- 

 habilitation and modification of the lOxlO Supersonic Wind Tunnel, Hypersonic 

 Test Facility, 8x6 Supersonic Wind Timne]/9xl5 Low Speed Wind Tunnel, Icing 

 Research Tunnel and refrigeration system. Propulsion Systems Laboratory, and 

 the rehabilitation of the Central Air System and Altitude Exhaust System. 

 In general, the major factor contributing to the concern over readiness of the re- 

 search facilities and support systems at the Lewis Research Center is the age of 

 critical systems. Several major systems contain large rotating machinery and elec- 

 trical equipment that is 40-50 years old. While this equipment is functional, its age 

 requires more maintenance attention and the risk of failure requiring repair is 

 greater. Typically in the high voltage electrical power system, Lewis is operating 

 transformers and other critical gear beyond the normally expected useful service 

 life. Despite the additional maintenance effort expended over the past few years, 



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