Competitively driven gas turbine instrumentation technology development-a framework for engineering managers

Currently, gas turbine instrumentation technology development is considered to be an adaptive process aimed at reaching the technical level of competitors or at satisfying internal organisational requirements. However with the changed market dynamics through the introduction of long-term service agreements and total care packages, instrumentation engineering managers now need to question their source of value-added and competitiveness while proactively addressing the strategic, economic and technical issues for translating their instrumentation technology base and expertise into marketable products. A framework is therefore presented that helps engineering managers place greater emphasis on the research and development needed for in-service applications. This will allow them to exploit appropriate opportunities, for their technologies, presented by the need for in-flight instrumentation in order to mitigate the technical and economic risks with overhaul and maintenance service contracts.