 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| . |  |
. |
The Power of Three - Work Starts On Carrier Variant Of F-35 Lightning II
Samlesbury, UK (SPX) Oct 26, 2007 BAE Systems has started manufacture of the F-35 Lightning II Carrier Variant (CV). The CV aircraft is the final F-35 variant to start production and means that all three variants of the world's most advanced fighter aircraft are now being produced concurrently by BAE Systems. The initial manufacturing on the CV variant is of the first titanium and aluminium frames that will form part of the aft fuselage for the first CV aircraft, which is planned to take to the skies in 2009. The aft fuselage and empennage (vertical and horizontal tails) for each F-35 Lightning II variant are being designed, engineered and built by BAE Systems, using the latest in advanced digital design and manufacturing technology. BAE Systems' F-35 Lightning II Managing Director, Tom Fillingham said: "Developing three variants of the same aircraft, at the same time, is a first for the military aircraft industry. We are breaking new ground on the F-35 programme. "Each variant has its own unique challenges that have required some innovative solutions from the team. Now that we have all three variants in manufacture it is great to see all the design and engineering work coming together." The F-35 Lightning II programme is the world's largest defence programme and is currently in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. The SDD phase will see the production of 21 test aircraft. Fifteen F-35s will undergo flight test, and six will be used for static testing. Another high-fidelity full-scale model F-35 will validate the aircraft's radar signature. The aft fuselages for all variants of the F-35 are produced at BAE Systems' Samlesbury facility in Lancashire, UK. As production rates increase in the SDD phase, the BAE Systems team is starting a new aircraft assembly every four weeks - a significant achievement for this stage of a development programme. The three variants of the F-35 Lightning II are being developed to meet the different performance requirements of the US and UK armed forces. The Carrier Variant (CV) is being designed for the US Navy and must cope with the demands of the catapult launches and arrested landings on the large US aircraft carriers. The Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant will meet the needs of the US Air Force. Finally the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant is being developed to meet the operational requirements of the US Marine Corp and the UK. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com
Device Technologies Spring-Fast Wire Protection System To Equip Eurofighter Typhoon Combat Aircraft
Frankfurt, Germany (SPX) Oct 25, 2007Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft built in the program's second production batch (Tranche 2) will be equipped with a unique system from Device Technologies, Inc. for protection against potentially dangerous wire and cable wear. The Tranche 2 Typhoons are to carry Device Technologies' Spring-Fast grommet edging, which will be installed around structural openings in the aircraft's fuselage and wings to cushion the contact between electrical wiring and the airframe. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights 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 SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
