A meta-analysis of corrosion studies for Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA)

Abstract

It is very important to find means and methods to reduce maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft (MPRA) corrosion costs. This thesis examines recent Department of Defense (DOD) and Government Accounting Office (GAO) corrosion studies to conduct meta-analysis and make recommendations based on correlated findings. The methods adopted for this thesis consist of a literature review, heuristic flow diagram, case study selections and meta-analysis. The conclusions are that the cost of MPRA corrosion treatment and prevention is detrimental in the consumption of manpower and resources, is a high readiness degrader, and diverts funding that could be used for future programs. Corrosion treatment and prevention processes of the past may not be environmentally acceptable today. This study recommends that HAZMAT material used to combat aircraft paint/corrosion be carefully monitored and reduced to a minimum as soon as possible. Further, man-hour reduction studies are needed to optimize a balance between corrosion prevention and treatment cost and man-hours. One recommendation is to establish an international naval corrosion working group to pool talent and resources with our naval allies toward developing common corrosion tactics. An additional recommendation is to fund a comprehensive MPRA wash interval optimization study to include all MPRA-type model series aircraft.