Maintainability Improvement in Ageing Aircraft: A Critical Review of Evolving Strategies

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 12 Issue 5

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Shaktiyavesh Nandan Pratap Singh, Rohitashwa Shringi, Manish Chaturvedi, Ajay Kumar

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I5P108

How to Cite?

Shaktiyavesh Nandan Pratap Singh, Rohitashwa Shringi, Manish Chaturvedi, Ajay Kumar, "Maintainability Improvement in Ageing Aircraft: A Critical Review of Evolving Strategies," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 5, pp. 70-80, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I5P108

Abstract:

The combination of longer functional periods for modern aircraft caused by economic needs and reliable design has generated a fast-growing number of ageing aircraft throughout global flight operations. A thorough assessment of maintenance methods becomes essential because of this modern aviation trend to guarantee aircraft airworthiness together with operational excellence. This review assesses contemporary research about ageing aircraft maintainability improvement through technological advances, data-based approaches and programmatic changes. The research analyzed 7 reference books and 21 military standards/ handbooks alongside 150 research papers and their related subjects on maintainability and its fields of study. Multiple research gaps emerge from systematic classifications that apply different methods to predict future directions for innovative research. The analysis exposes the complex problems caused by aircraft structural deterioration combined with technological aging and economic hardship, which require an integrated solution for longer aircraft operations. Multiple authors have contributed their research to maintainability and associated fields throughout the time span from 1981 to 2024, which this paper describes. The research discusses all present-day solution methods incorporating mathematical models, AI-based solutions and simulation techniques. Few empirical data and relevant solution approaches exist which support the maintenance requirements of aging military aircraft systems. The review implements systematic research approaches to combine present information before aiming at unanswered questions to guide future studies.

Keywords:

Aviation, Maintenance, Reliability & Maintainability, Optimisation, AI.

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