Electrical Power Flows Into First Lockheed Martin F-35

AEROSPACE

Lockheed Martin aircraft assembler Paul Perez activates a computer touch-screen that starts the flow of 28-volt electrical power into the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on Sept. 7, 2005, in Fort Worth, Texas. The F-35 "power-on" milestone was accomplished on schedule, and the aircraft - visible in its assembly station behind Perez - is on track for first flight in 2006.

Fort Worth TX (SPX) Sep 08, 2005
The first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter came alive with electrical power today, as technicians at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth initiated "power-on" � the incremental process of testing the aircraft's circuits, electronic components and wiring. The event was completed on schedule.

The F-35 "power-on" milestone was accomplished on schedule, and the aircraft -- visible in its assembly station behind Perez - is on track for first flight in 2006.

"Power-on is a significant milestone in the manufacturing process of any new aircraft. The successful, on-time achievement of this event further demonstrates that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program is progressing as planned, and confirms the value and effectiveness of its innovative design and build process," said Ralph D. Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.

"Today, we begin making sure that air 'power' is always 'on' when future F-35 pilots take to the skies to defend the freedom of the United States and allied nations," Heath said.

The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role stealth fighter designed to replace aging AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

The aircraft's electrical power system (EPS) consists of two subsystems � the electrical power generating system (EPGS) and the electrical power management system � with overall control of the system supplied by redundant software running in the F-35's vehicle-management computers. Software developed by Lockheed Martin provides overall control of the EPS.

"The ability to put electrical power on the jet indicates that the majority of the structure is assembled, the utility systems have been installed and it's time to move into operational checkout of the systems," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin F-35 JSF program manager.

"Because the F-35 is such a highly integrated aircraft, many systems and functions must be in place to achieve this milestone. The team has developed and verified the procedures in our labs over the past several months, and they've met a schedule commitment set over 12 months ago."

The F-35 will be the most electronically sophisticated multi-role joint forces fighter aircraft ever built, with capabilities unavailable in current-generation coalition fighters.

Today's event is one more indication of the success of the F-35's digital 3-D solid design process, in which Lockheed Martin and its F-35 suppliers refer to the same computer model for design and production of F-35 systems and parts. The result is unprecedented accuracy and assembly speed. Hamilton Sundstrand of Rockford, Ill., provides the EPGS.

The electrical power management system is provided by Cheltenham, England-based Smiths Aerospace, and batteries are designed and manufactured by Saft America, Inc., of Cockeysville, Md.

The first test aircraft, a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A designed principally for the U.S. Air Force, is scheduled to make its inaugural flight in the third quarter of 2006. Component-level assembly is under way for the short-takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B, the variant that will serve the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. The F-35B will be the second aircraft to enter flight testing.

Three versions of the F-35 are planned: a CTOL, a STOVL and a carrier variant (CV). Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 meets the performance needs of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the U.K. Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defense forces worldwide. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: one by Pratt & Whitney and the other by the General Electric Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team.

AEROSPACE

China Issues License To Egypt Manufacturer To Build Fighter Jet Trainer

Beijing (AFP) Aug 30, 2005
China has issued a license to an Egyptian airplane maker to assemble the Chinese-made K-8E fighter jet trainer, as part of a 345 million dollar Egyptian purchase of 80 of the planes, state press said Tuesday.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.