Home
 
Home > Media > Fact Sheets > Fact Sheet Article View
Photos
prev
1 of 3
 next

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory evaluates materials for camouflet repairs at the Silver Flag exercise site on Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. In these situation where concrete slabs remain relatively intact, typical crater repair procedures such as saw cutting and debris removal are likely unnecessary. Instead, methods and materials for adequately backfilling and stabilizing camouflet subsurface voids need to be evaluated for construction and structural feasibility.

ERDC personnel monitor rapid runway repair for Army aircraft.

ERDC personnel monitor rapid runway repair for Army aircraft. (Photo by USACE ERDC Image)

Download HiRes
The SuPR kit can be easily transported to any location for quick, effective pavement repairs.

The SuPR kit can be easily transported to any location for quick, effective pavement repairs. (Photo by USACE ERDC Image)

Download HiRes

Airfield Damage Repair Modernization Program

Bookmark and Share Email Print

Creating Tools for Simpler, Faster Airfield Repairs

Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations have highlighted a need for better methods to quickly and effectively establish or improve airfields. Craters, spalls, and other conditions that limit airfield use can create costly delays that aren't adequately resolved by old techniques. Researchers at ERDC’s Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) have developed the Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) modernization program to ensure rapid and effective establishment and repair of airfields.

Enhancing Infrastructure for Air Support

Adequate airfield facilities are undeniably vital to the success of a mission. Creating new airfields and repairing substandard ones in critical locations can reduce the time and costs required to complete an operation.

The ADR program addresses all phases of operation: opening the base, sustaining the mission, expanding the base, and recovering the base. GSL researchers have developed and tested a range of repair kits and materials that assist in rapid damage assessment, crater repair, and ongoing maintenance.   

Scalable and Uniform

The effectiveness of the ADR program is enhanced by the fact that the tools developed for it can be used in all scenarios. The equipment, methods and materials for each situation are standardized and can be used by all services. The scope of response provided can be adjusted based on variables including:

  •  Expected damage
  • Repair time requirements
  • Aircraft traffic (type and load)
  • Aircraft pass levels
  • Materials available/not available at site
  • Equipment available/not available at site
  • Equipment and material pre-positioned

 Features

 The ADR modernization program has developed several efforts tailored to assisting critical aspects of airfield support.

  • Repair Materials Certification Program (RMCP): Tests, evaluates and approves the materials used in pavement repair
  • Sustained Pavement Repair (SuPR) Kit: Pre-packaged kits for the rapid repair of spalls and related minor pavement damage
  • Critical Runway Assessment and Repair (CRATR) Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration (JCTD):  Developing automated damage assessment tools, quick-set repair materials, and lightweight equipment to better identify and repair multiple spalls and craters
  • Airfield Mat Version X (AM-X): A program developing a lightweight mat system to facilitate airfield parking ramp expansion

Testimonials

“The SuPR kit is user-friendly and well thought out; anything that you can think of that you may need for a sustainment repair, spall repair and small jobs, medium jobs, it’s all right there.”

 — Master Sgt. Tellas Johnson, work crew team leader with the 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

ERDC Points of Contact

Questions about ADR?
Contact: Jeb Tingle
Email: Jeb.S.Tingle@erdc.dren.mil
Phone: 601-634-42467


ADR airfield CRATR damage ERDC GSL repair RMCP SuPR USACE

Building Strong