TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne signed a memorandum of agreement between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Air Force Materiel Command here May 22, formalizing the collaboration between

DARPA and the Air Force to transition the Engine Systems Prognosis into the legacy fleet of F100 and F110 turbine engines.

This effort builds on DARPA's Prognosis program, which is developing the fundamental science and technology to revolutionize the processes of field and depot management of turbine engines. The F100 and F110 engines power the Air Force's F-15s and F-16s. The ultimate goal is to establish the technical capability to maximize engine safety and readiness, while minimizing full-life operational and sustainment costs.

The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center here is one of three depot maintenance facilities within AFMC responsible for repairing and maintaining aircraft and weapon systems. At Tinker, this includes managing and maintaining a $49-billion inventory of more than 30,000 engines.

This program is jointly funded by DARPA and the Air Force. At the end of the DARPA-funded effort, OC-ALC will receive a series of Engine Systems Prognosis tools. The center will then use the tools to manage the life of the F100/F110 engine fleets.

The duration of this memorandum is fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2013.

In addition to signing the memorandum, Secretary Wynne met the crew of an E-3 Sentry, shook hands with maintainers and had breakfast with Airmen during his May 22 and 23 visit to Tinker AFB. Secretary Wynne was a featured speaker at the Aerospace Summit and Expo in Oklahoma City May 22.