Testing of the Pratt
& Whitney F135 engine in the U.S. Air Force's Arnold
Engineering Development Center's (AEDC) C-1 test cell began Dec. 7,
and represents a critical transition between the development and
qualification phases of the overall F135 program. The engine is the
powerplant for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
The primary objective of this program is Initial Flight Release
(IFR) altitude qualification testing in support of attaining
approval to begin flight testing. While the majority of this
testing addresses performance and operability, secondary objectives
include failure detection and accommodation (FDA) validation, as
well as obtaining structural and internal environmental data.
"This testing is a transitional part of the overall F135
program," said John Kelly, one of the ATA project engineers on this
program. "Flight testing is dependant on the testing we are doing
in C-1. Without this testing, flight testing cannot begin."
The F135 engine has unique capabilities for land-based
conventional take off and landing (CTOL), carrier-variant takeoff
and landing (CV) and short takeoff and vertical landing
(STOVL).
"The F135 is scheduled to be in the F-35 airframe and flying in
2006," said Rich Walker, ATA project manager for the program.
"However, before the engine can fly it has to complete
qualification testing which demonstrates that it is really ready to
fly. The data from our tests will prove this."
The F135 is an evolution of the Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100,
a technologically advanced turbofan that powers the Air Force's
F/A-22 Raptor. It integrates the proven F119 core, a
high-performance six-stage compressor and single-stage turbine unit
with a new low-pressure spool. In addition, the propulsion system
features advanced prognostic and on-condition management systems
that provide maintenance awareness, autonomic logistic support, and
automatic field data and test systems.
The first production propulsion system for operational service
is scheduled for delivery in 2008. The F-35 is scheduled to replace
the Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II, the
Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier and the Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18A/B
Hornet and will serve the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marines,
Britain's Royal Air Force and Navy and other international
customers.
During the next two years, four F135 engines are expected to be
tested in the C-1. Although this entry marks the first time an F135
has been tested in this cell, the engine has already tested in two
other AEDC test cells. In addition to the tests in C-1, F135
engines are undergoing developmental testing in test cell J-2 and
accelerated mission testing in test cell SL-3.