Following three years of successful Cyclean engine washes delivering measurable benefits for the global C-17 Globemaster III fleet, Boeing has extended its service contract with Lufthansa Technik until the end of 2027. Each year, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider and its partners conduct approximately 2,000 high-pressure water washes on the Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engines (military designation: F117-PW-100) powering these aircraft.
The Cyclean engine wash system has improved fuel efficiency by up to one percent for the more than 270 C-17 aircraft in service. Additionally, it has helped enhance engine performance by improving the exhaust gas temperature (EGT) margin and extending on-wing time. Lufthansa Technik’s Engine Life Cycle Services department in Frankfurt, Germany, coordinates these washes, which are performed by approved service providers worldwide. Among these is Certified Aviation Services LLC, which alone serves 17 United States Air Force locations across North America, while eight additional international stations are managed by other contractual partners.
Maarten Kuilman, Manager of Engine Life Cycle Services at Lufthansa Technik stated that beyond serving over 80 commercial airlines, the Cyclean engine wash system has gained recognition among military operators. Given the challenging conditions in which military aircraft operate, he expressed pride in Cyclean’s ability to meet the demands of the extensive C-17 fleet.
The C-17 is a vital military transport aircraft, used for strategic and tactical airlift missions, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuations, and airdrops. Operators covered under the contract with Boeing include the United States Air Force, NATO, and the air forces of Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, India, the UK, Australia and Canada. The C-17 plays a unique role in the Cyclean service portfolio, as its ability to operate from unpaved runways increases the accumulation of dirt in its engines. To counteract this, additional washes are scheduled after a set number of such operations, ensuring sustained performance and reliability.
