MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Air University’s Innovation Center and MGMWERX partnered with the 187th Fighter Wing and the 908th Airlift Wing to provide Auburn University students with a C-130 loading demo and C-17 static to continue Agile Combat Employment through education and innovative efforts Feb. 16, 2022 at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.
The engineering students had the opportunity to measure aircraft parts and interview aircrew members for their senior school project.
The project presented them with real-world knowledge of current processes and tools Airmen currently have to maintain mission efficiency. For example, they use aerospace ground equipment that requires a heavy vehicle to move and/or load on the aircraft. They use an aircraft winch that allows airmen to move over 1000 lbs. at a time but it is time-consuming to put together and once together the winch can only be used for that purpose unless modified with additional capabilities.
“For our senior design project we want to better equip the aircraft with loading and unloading equipment to lessen current technical hassle through technological advancements, '' said Josh Mandeville, Auburn University mechanical engineering student. “The opportunity to see this up close and personal makes this experience so surreal.”
The Auburn students project looks to enhance air capabilities to better equip and train airmen through innovation.