Deicing Challenges & Solutions

Abstract : This keynote speech will consist of a general overview of U.S. military's recent efforts to develop new aircraft and runway deicing technologies that will reduce impact on ecosystems; issues and challenges the military has faced in this area; teaming arrangements formed to effectively meet these challenges; and environmental, operational and safety drivers impacting military deicing operations. Over the past several years, the environmental and operational issues associated with deicing activities at Air Force facilities worldwide have increased substantially. While maintaining compliance with continually changing environmental legislation, new technologies must also be compatible with weapon systems, infrastructure, and airfields and meet the warfighters' deicing and anti-icing performance requirements. Weapon system single managers, operational wings, and installation commanders are all stakeholders protecting their weapon system assets and local infrastructure under snow and ice conditions that require deicing and anti-icing actions. Above all, safety is a fundamental tenet of all military flying operations. Working groups and periodic workshops have enhanced communication and as a result, increased the effectiveness of the military to identify deicing related issues and develop coordinated approaches to pursue new technologies and procedures.