Work On Aft Fuselage Assemblies Continues

As the first production-spec F-35 Joint Strike Fighter prepares to take its first flight later this summer, BAE Systems has started assembling the aft fuselage of the first short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) version of the advanced fighter aircraft. 

Assembly started on time with the loading of the first three parts of the left hand aft fuselage into an assembly jig at the company's F-35 JSF facility at Samlesbury, England. Ther facility also built the aft fuselage assembly for the first JSF, a conventional take-off and landing plane. 

"The start of assembly of the first STOVL aircraft is a major step forward for the F-35 JSF program," said Tom Fillingham, BAE Systems' JSF vice president and deputy program manager. "By the end of 2006, BAE Systems will deliver the first STOVL aft fuselage to our program partner Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, TX. We will also start the assembly of four more STOVL aircraft in Samlesbury." 

Work on the design of the STOVL aft fuselage began more than 12 months ago, and BAE tells Aero-News the company's Samlesbury-based engineering team has successfully worked through a number of challenges in the design phase, particularly in terms of reducing weight from the STOVL variant. 

"BAE Systems brings a great deal of experience and expertise to the JSF program, including a number of advanced assembly techniques and processes, many of which have been developed here at Samlesbury," said David Grant, Aft Fuselage Integrated Project Team Leader. 

Three versions of the F-35 JSF are planned: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), a short-takeoff / vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV). Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 JSF 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, while staying within strict affordability targets. 

The STOVL variant of the F-35 JSF is scheduled to replace the Harrier aircraft when it enters service with the U.S. Marines, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.

FMI: www.baesystems.com, www.lockheedmartin.com