CORPUS CHRISTI, TX - In a variety of 'hit' television shows, forensic investigations and crime scenes investigator are often glamorized. Appealing to an audience desire to find the truth and the lure of investigating accidents. In real life, the Analytical Investigation Branch of Corpus Christi Army Depot's team with CCAD’s material engineers can discover how a helicopter accident may have occurred utilizing the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).

As the Army explores the potential of some advanced manufacturing methods and 3D-printed parts to maintain and sustain its aviation fleet, recently published guidance aims to strike a balance between safety, improvements to readiness and escalating costs.

Safety of Flight messages are high-priority notifications pertaining to any defect or hazardous condition of an Army-fielded system that can cause personal injury, death, or damage to the system. SOF messages can restrict specific performance capabilities, operational limits, or require immediate maintenance actions for a variety of reasons that could include material defect conditions. Depending on the severity of the defect, the entire fleet or a portion of the fleet could be grounded.

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command leaders reported continued improvements in readiness during a June 5 quarterly report to its higher headquarters.

A Black Hawk helicopter going through a recapitalization process at Corpus Christi Army Depot is the Army’s first aircraft to receive an undercoat unlike others in the aviation fleet.