How WBI is Supporting the Transition of a Simple Innovation to Revolutionize Air Force Maintenance
Rotary hammers are a staple tool for Air Force maintainers, essential for riveting and repairs on aircraft and ground support infrastructure. However, traditional pneumatic rotary hammers come with significant drawbacks. These tools require large, heavy air compressors, creating logistical challenges, increased operational costs, and serious safety concerns.
Tech Sgt. Justin Boettger, 55th Maintenance Group aircraft structural maintenance section chief (left), and Tech. Sgt. Paul Jacobson, 55th MXG wash rack manager, demonstrate how to use a rivet set adapter with a slotted drive shaft rotary hammer Aug. 11, 2023, at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Boettger created the adapter to eliminate the need for air compressors during riveting operations. (Photo Dana Heard, 55th WPA)
Tech Sgt. Justin Boettger, a maintainer at Offutt Air Force Base, personally experienced the dangers of air compressors when he suffered an injury caused by an air hose malfunction. Recognizing the need for a safer, more efficient alternative, Boettger developed a rivet set adapter for battery-powered SDS rotary hammers. This simple yet game-changing innovation eliminates the need for air compressors, drastically improving safety and mobility while reducing operational costs.
Transitioning an innovation from the flight line to full-scale adoption requires strategic collaboration. That’s where Wright Brothers Institute (WBI), AFWERX, and Spark Refinery come in. These organizations are working together to fast-track Boettger’s invention into the hands of Air Force maintainers worldwide by:
Connecting with Manufacturers: WBI is leveraging its industry ecosystem to identify manufacturers capable of producing and scaling Boettger’s rivet set adapter.
Accelerating Technology Transition: Spark Refinery, a platform dedicated to refining and fielding Air Force innovations, is guiding Boettger through the technology transition process, ensuring the solution meets military standards and gets implemented quickly.
Funding and Prototyping Support: Through AFWERX’s innovation pipeline, resources are being allocated to optimize design, validate performance, and streamline production for widespread adoption.
By replacing pneumatic systems with battery-powered solutions, Boettger’s innovation has the potential to reduce workplace injuries, enhance operational flexibility, and lower maintenance costs. This transition aligns with the Air Force’s broader effort to modernize tools, improve mission readiness, and prioritize Airman safety.
As WBI, AFWERX, and Spark Refinery push this innovation forward, the days of cumbersome air compressors and hazardous air hoses may soon be behind us. This is a prime example of how an Airman’s frontline ingenuity, paired with the right innovation ecosystem, can revolutionize Air Force maintenance for the better.
Blog written by Jennie Hempstead.