Reverse Engineering

For the COREAS project, reverse engineering is defined as the development of Level III technical data necessary for the logistical support of existing products. The design process involves taking a product with any existing non-proprietary data and performing a full design review. This process includes the discovery of design intent, disassembly, and the performance of dimensional and material analysis. From this information, Level III drawings are developed and a prototype is manufactured and tested. Once the data are validated by a prototype that passes testing, it belongs to the Air Force for unlimited use.

Purpose of COREAS

Anyone with the need for supply data information located conveniently in one location may use this system. Although COREAS was developed primarily as an aid for the OC-ALC Reverse Engineering program, the wealth of collated information and in time historical data compiled would be useful to any function dealing with aircraft parts located at Tinker AFB.

COREAS provides an economic analysis and tracking mechanism for finding the most economical items to be reverse-engineered. Historically, the process was to evaluate items as they came through for procurement screening.

This method has proven to be highly inefficient, since only 20% percent of the projects showed significant savings. The other 80% provided results ranging from marginally acceptable profits to occasional financial losses. COREAS can also manage items that are selected for reverse engineering based upon no sources to manufacture, reverse engineer an item do to low quantities and high costs, or develop data for in-house manufacturing.