Designing for MFOP: towards the autonomous aircraft

Abstract

BAe Airbus has studied the application of the maintenance free operating period (MFOP) concept to Airbus aircraft in order to meet a growing demand for autonomous operation. This concept can apply to both civil and military aircraft and, most recently, has resulted in Airbus Military Company including the MFOP as part of its formal proposal for a new military transport aircraft. The paper concludes that it is difficult to predict the progress in further improving the levels of MFOP achievement, but that the final solution is likely to be a “pick and mix” of techniques, technologies and disciplines integrated under a “supportability” banner.