RFP_Attachment_14-A-10C_TO_White_Paper_for_MIL-STD-1808.docx

09 March 2016 Attachment 14 A-10 Technical Order Numbering and Data Distribution Idiosyncrasies as Related to MIL-STD-1808B and TO 00-5-18 Purpose This document provides insight into the unique manner information is distributed and presented within the A-10C Technical Order Library. This dissertation is provided as a guide to inform entities unfamiliar with the challenges imposed by irregular TO numbering, data distribution and quality with respect to updating A-10 aircraft data.

History The following circumstances and events can be attributed to the conditions explained herein:

During A-10 aircraft initial developmental phase, (circa 1973), Air Force data acquisition standards, guidance and practices were in a state of continuous change. A lack of clear and concise guidance appears to have influenced decisions resulting in distorted data deliveries. Also, Air Force aircraft maintenance training, organization structure and practices dramatically differed from those employed today. A-10 data development was founded on three levels of maintenance and career fields thoroughly trained and actively supporting both organizational and field level maintenance activities. Most technicians performed their primary maintenance activities in specific aircraft functional areas. Comprehensive training and repetitive activities performed in these functional areas compensated for many of the data irregularities that hinder maintenance activities today.

Conditions pertinent to A-10 data were further frustrated by the Air Force’s desire to retire the fleet. Data sustainment endured periods of limited resources which resulted in an accumulation of poorly organized and incomplete engineering data which has provided for outdated A-10 TO(s).

As the O/A-10A modified to the A-10C model, data conditions worsened. TO information in support of the A-10C configuration were generated from the A-10A TO baseline that existed in 2002. All sustainment and modification changes driven to active A-10A TO(s) were not included in this baseline. A large number of these changes were inserted at the back end of A-10C data as the new model was being introduced to the field. Furthermore, this data was not adequately vetted presenting legacy errors and redundancies. Some A-10A references persist in A-10C Technical Orders today.

Examples for Maintenance Manuals TO Numbering does not always follow MIL-STD-1808B and TO 00-5-18:

Group Four Designators for MIL-PRF-83495 maintenance manuals (example…1A-10C-2-21JG-7…21 is Group Four). This Job Guide includes Fire Detection and Suppression system that should be shown in a 26 Group 4 System Designated series. The 21 Series also shows Oxygen Generation Systems information that should be in a 35 Group 4 System Designated series and the Windshield De-ice System that should be in Group 4 System Designated 30 series.

Group 4 System Designator 22 used to identify Auto Flight is not used in A-10C data. Stability Augmentation System and Enhanced Attitude Control functions fall in this category and should be in this series. Instead this information is shown in the Group 4 System designator 27 for Flight Controls normally reserved for the mechanical systems performing the various flight control functions not the avionics systems that interface with them.

Group 4 System Designator 24 is reserved for AC and DC power generation, distribution and control. For the A-10 the 24 series includes electrical lighting systems and the all aircraft wiring assemblies are shown in the Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB Group 5 Designator 4) in this series of TO(s). Wiring assemblies should be associated to the systems they interface and Electrical Lighting Systems should be shown in a 33 Group 4 System Designated TO series.

A-10 Group 4 System Designator 31 for Indicating/Recording Systems does not contain information about the A-10 Digital Airborne Video Data Recorder. This is shown in the 94 series reserved for Weapons Systems.

A-10 Group 4 System Designator 34 includes all 1553 Data Communications Bus information. System integration bus information should be in the 40 series.

A-10 TO(s) do not include a Group 4 System Designator 49 series for Airborne Auxiliary Power. This function is shown in the 71 series.

A-10 Group 4 System Designator 51 reserved for Structural Information has Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB Group 5 Designator 4) that includes avionics and electrical components. This contains extremely outdated information. This series should be broken up into the following series: 53 Fuselage, 54 Nacelles/Pylons, 55Stabilizers, 56 for the Canopy and 57 for the Wings.

Group 4 System Designator 93 reserved for Surveillance is used for Electronic Warfare Information in A-10 data. This should be designated as 99.

Other areas of consideration:

Multiple Avionics IPB(s) redundantly show the same commodity items for systems they are integrated with, e.g. circuit breaker panels, relay boxes and controls. Data reflecting the current commodity configurations is inconsistent from one IPB location to other systems IPB(s).

Incorrect Reference Designation Index (RDI) indicators for wiring assemblies and commodity items in the Enhanced Wing Assembly (EWA) were assigned early in this program. Corrections are being made but 57 wings retain physical RDI markings that will be reflected in data. Both corrected and uncorrected RDI information will need to be maintained in data until a TCTO is released to affect the required changes.

Detailed Theory of Operation for some systems e.g. communications and electronic warfare have migrated from TO 1A-10C-2-1-1 (General Aircraft Manual) to their respective troubleshooting manuals.

TO 1A-10C-01, List of Applicable Publications shows all TCTO(s) accomplished on the A-10 aircraft even after rescission. Once a publication rescinds it should no longer be shown as applicable. This list has been retained for historical purposes.

Current Posture for Data Correction

The ideal direction is to realign data to MIL-STD-1808. To take on this tasking would take enormous manpower, time, and considerable funding to accomplish, with limited government support. The challenges associated with updating the A-10C library must be fully understood. The current retirement year for A-10C is FY2022, however the reality appears unclear.

OPR: A-10 System Program Office

DSN 777-3894