Brand Name C24-002 Frozen Hexcel Material_Redacted.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

OKLAHOMA CITY AIR LOGISTICS COMPLEX

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE OKLAHOMA

19 October 2023 MEMORANDUM FOR AFSC/PZIM Contracting Officer

FROM: OC-ALC OBCA, Summer Smith

SUBJECT: Brand Name Justification for Frozen Hexcel Material

1. The 76 CMXG at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB) is responsible for the testing, repair, and manufacturing of Aircraft Radomes for the E-3, B-52, B-1B, and KC-135 aircraft. Contract FA8125-18-C-0011 has been in place since 2018 but recently has not been able to keep up with the demand for prepreg Hexcel material. Aircraft Radomes are assessed as part of the Production Depot Maintenance (PDM) when aircraft arrive at Tinker AFB. These Radomes can vary in repairs from as little as just needing new layers of anti-static coatings to building a completely new Radome.

2. The use of frozen prepreg materials for the aircraft radomes are directed by Engineering Order 2016A0066-T for Drawing BOEING MODEL KC135 P/N NTX-CMM-KC135 which specifies that all Style 7781 Prepreg material must meet BMS 8-79, Class 3 specifications. Boeing Material Specification (BMS) 8-79 identifies only Hexcel Corporation materials be utilized for Class III.

The 7781GL product requirement is based on Air Force Technical Order 16W5-11-3 pg 2-32 Table 2-2 Index No. 20 which outlines specification ST0130LB0010 to follow. This specification lists only the 7781GL Hexcel material as the only product for Type I that is allowed.

Per AFSCMan 21-102 para 1.2 - "AF TOs are published under the authority of the Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF). Compliance with TOs is mandatory."

If a brand other than the one specified by the TO is purchased, it will become 100% waste as mechanics are not allowed to deviate from Tech Orders. This could result in the duplication of cost up to the total cost of this effort that would not be able to be recovered due to the inability to utilize the non-authorized material.

In addition, per AFMCI 63-1201 pg. 47 if this is classified as an Aviation Critical Safety Item then the failure of this item could cause a catastrophic or critical failure resulting in the loss or serious damage to the aircraft or weapons system, an unacceptable risk of personal injury, loss of life, or an uncommanded engine shutdown that jeopardizes safety. Damage this serious would be considered a Class "A" Mishap and could result in Federal Criminal charges due to the Loss of Property and Loss of life.

Any material manufacturer other than Hexcel wishing to be added to BMS 8-79 can contact Boeing to inquire about procedures required to facilitate that request.