EAST HARTFORD, Conn. --- Pratt & Whitney (P&W) has awarded a contract to Nederlands Centrum voor Laser Research (NCLR) to demonstrate an economical advanced excimer laser drilling system on the F135 propulsion system for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
An excimer laser uses a special process to generate the cutting beam, which results in very precise hole location and tolerance. Most excimer lasers are capable of drilling only one hole at a time, which can be very time consuming for applications such as the F135, where more than one million holes must be drilled on each engine.
NCLR has designed an advanced excimer laser capable of producing multiple small holes very rapidly. "While typical excimer lasers are rated between 30 and 100 watts, the NCLR laser is 1,000 watts," said Ed O'Donnell, director of JSF international programs at P&W. The laser can maintain hole quality while drilling multiple holes simultaneously, resulting in a significant reduction in the average time and cost per hole. It is anticipated that the NCLR system would be used on the F135 as well as other engines at P&W.
"We are pleased to have been selected to provide our breakthrough technology to Pratt & Whitney on its JSF propulsion system," said Huub van Heel, managing director of NCLR. "The JSF is already presenting great opportunities for industrial participation for The Netherlands aerospace industry. Additionally, it's an extremely capable and low cost aircraft with a great international sales potential. Clearly, the JSF offers multiple advantages to our nation."
In June 2001, P&W signed Memoranda of Understanding with NCLR, Eldim BV, Fokker Elmo B.V., Hamilton Sundstrand Customer Support Center - Maastricht B.V, Stork NV and Urenco Aerospace, in anticipation of The Netherlands joining the JSF program as a partner nation.
P&W's F135 engine, a derivative of the F119 engine powering the F-22 Raptor, will power the Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF aircraft.
Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies company, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines.
