Lockheed Martin Demonstrates JSF Survivability in Ballistics Tests
FORT WORTH, Texas - -- The Lockheed Martin team demonstrated the combat survivability of its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) during recently completed ballistics testing of the wing. The multiple spar design contained damage caused by the most severe ballistic threat. Prior to the test, advanced analytical simulation tools were used to predict the structural response of the wing during the ballistic event. These predictions were presented to Air Force Research Laboratory survivability engineers. The actual test then confirmed the accuracy of the simulation. "Correlation between pretest predictions and test results is closer than ever before achieved in the industry,'' said Larry Mestad, JSF Airframe Integrated Product Team lead. "Application of these simulation tools promises to save several million dollars of testing during the JSF Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program.'' To accurately assess the physical damage to the wing structure, post-test analysis was conducted with Lockheed Martin's Laser Ultrasonic Test System (Laser UT(TM)). This production inspection system -- unique to Lockheed Martin -- requires no hard tooling and had a total setup time of less than 10 minutes. Laser UT(TM) is the only rapid automated ultrasonic system capable of performing post-ballistic test analysis of the damaged wing structure. A complete ultrasonic scan and analysis of the wing structure was completed in less than an hour and a half, an inspection process that generally requires 36 hours or more throughout the aerospace industry. "This demonstration validates the supportability of the Lockheed Martin JSF aircraft, proving field inspection and maintenance can be completed in minutes instead of days,'' said Frank J. Cappuccio, vice president and JSF program manager. The ballistic test structure was designed and manufactured as part of the JSF Airframe Affordability Demonstration program, one of the key demonstrations being performed by Lockheed Martin to refine and demonstrate affordability in design, manufacturing and assembly of the next-generation fighter aircraft. Lockheed Martin received one of two JSF Concept Demonstration phase contracts awarded in November 1996. Flight evaluation of Lockheed Martin's demonstrator aircraft is scheduled to take place in 2000, with government selection of a contractor for the EMD phase of the program set for early 2001. The Lockheed Martin JSF team includes Northrop Grumman Corporation and British Aerospace.
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Lockheed Martin Demonstrates JSF Survivability in Ballistics Tests
