Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) recently signed a first of its kind, three-year research agreement to collaborate to improve the health monitoring of aviation engines.

Prof. Jacob Bortman, of BGU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, has developed advanced diagnostic and prognostic algorithms to monitor engine health and predict materials deterioration, thus reducing accidents and maintenance costs.

Bortman was formerly head of Material Command in the Israel Air Force and plans to continue the work he began while in service in the Prognostic Health Monitoring lab at BGU, which he currently leads. Renata Klein, an expert in mechanical health monitoring, will also participate in the research collaboration.

The agreement was signed with the support of the Defense Ministry’s Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure.

AFRL is a research organization run by the US Air Force Material Command, leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for US air, space, and cyberspace force. Research at AFRL is focused on developing new technology in aerospace, sensors, information, munitions, materials and manufacturing processes, directed energy, space vehicles and improving human performance.