The contract covers 32 engines and is truly exceptional by its duration: 23 years
From 2003 to 2025, the operational use of the RAF Awacs will rely on Snecma Services ability to ensure the availability of the engines and manage the spare parts.
The RAF owns seven E3D and need to have at least six of them available at any time. Snecma Services will provide a highly flexible maintenance scheme, with the emphasis being put on « condition maintenance » (engines are repaired according to the need rather than to a fixed schedule) and « on wing support »: a cheaper and smarter way to maintain engines inherited from the commercial aviation world. On the other hand, around five shop visits a year are expected.

« This agreement was born from a true partnership says Gordon Logan, Sentry Integrated Project Team leader. We are here for the long term and we know for sure that Snecma Services will be here in 23 years time also …

The operational use of the RAF Awacs is very fluctuating. Average yearly flying time is 700 to 800 hours per aircraft. But it always evolves every month due to specific requirements. Because of the war against terrorism, flying time nearly doubled last year, reaching an average of 1,500 hours per aircraft.
« Since the Awacs entered service with the RAF in 1991, it has not been a year where our aircraft were not in operation, says Gordon Logan. Snecma Services is like an insurance policy and the price we pay is very reasonnable : for sure we know Snecma Services will make some profit, but this profit will come in recognition for the risk the company is taking… »

Negociations started three years ago and the financial agreement reached by the MoD and Snecma Services comprises a fixed element completed by payments per flying hours and cycles. Last September, Snecma services also signed a 10 year agreement with the French air force covering the maintenance of 106 CFM56-2 powering E3F (Awacs), DC-8s and C-135FR/KC-135 tankers.