Recent Milestones Include Completion Of PDR
Aviation Technology Group (ATG) tells ANN its Javelin light jet
program is speeding right along, with the accomplishment of major
milestones including completion of a Preliminary Design Review
(PDR), construction of cockpit and wing mockups, transonic wind
tunnel testing, and initial tooling fabrication to support
production of the conforming aircraft.
The Javelin PDR, held at the ATG facility in Englewood, CO in
mid-August, confirmed the functional and physical integration of
the business jet’s airframe and verified that systems met
design criteria. A joint review conducted by Israel Aircraft
Industries (IAI) and ATG in September further validated the
aircraft configuration, marking a major milestone in the Javelin
program’s development.
ATG engineers and the cockpit pilot-vehicle interface working
group collaborated on construction of a cockpit mockup, which
provides a three-dimensional model that verifies physical
integration of cockpit equipment and validates maintenance
procedures. ATG is working with Porsche Design Studio to develop
styling concepts for the cockpit interior design, including
improving the Javelin cockpit ergonomically and creating a business
jet interior.
ACTA, the Utah-based wing supplier for the Javelin, has
constructed a partial wing mockup that ATG is using to evaluate
system installation and finalize access panel sizing.
ATG’s Flight Science engineers recently completed an
additional 117 hours of transonic wind tunnel testing in Buffalo,
NY. The testing—conducted on a 15-percent scale model at
speeds between 0.5 and 1.1 Mach—included 180 pressure taps,
hinge moment strain gauges on the leading edge flap and yaw damper,
and buffet strain gauges on the horizontal and vertical tails.
Flight Science engineers also ran a high Reynolds number test (3
to 4 million) at 0.2 and 0.3 Mach to refine lift increments on the
flap systems. The Javelin design has completed a total of 1,173
hours of wind tunnel testing, including 223 hours in the transonic
wind tunnel.
ATG initiated tooling manufacture with inspection and approval
of dorsal and belly skin outer mold line masters. These tools serve
as masters for tooling used to build the fuselage of the conforming
aircraft. Delivery of the lay-up tools to ATK, another Utah-based
airframe supplier, is scheduled for mid-November.
Aileron mold tools completed earlier this month were used to
fabricate test articles, a process that will confirm the
fabrication process and tooling.
Incorporated in 2000, ATG is dedicated to the design,
development and production of the Javelin executive jet and its
derivatives for government markets. Initial customer deliveries of
the FAA-certified Javelin are slated for 2008.
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