Mon, Feb 25, 2008
Aircraft Passes Gauge Calibration, Tests Of Systems
Last week, BAE Systems told ANN the
company completed critical fuel testing on the first F-35 Lightning
II short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, five days
ahead of its schedule proving the maturity of both the aircraft and
program.
The checks of the design and build of the aircraft were led by
BAE Systems, and involved constant testing -- 24 hours a day for 13
days -- which checked the calibration of the aircraft's fuel
gauging systems. Testing took place at Lockheed Martin's Fort Worth
plant in Texas where the first STOVL aircraft, BF-1, is currently
undergoing a series of tests in preparation of first flight later
this year.
"It was a milestone moment in the program," said Tom Fillingham,
F-35 Lightning II Managing Director at BAE Systems. "This is the
first STOVL we've tested, and we wanted to make sure the designs
worked and check that the fuel systems had been put together
properly."
The BAE Systems team of engineers are based at Warton,
Lancashire, and travelled out to Fort Worth to undertake the
testing program. Following the fuel testing the aircraft is
undergoing structural coupling and ground vibration testing, as
well as completing hydraulic testing of the doors and landing
gear.
BAE Systems is responsible for the design and delivery of the
aft fuselage and empennage for each of the three F-35 variants, as
well as key areas of the vehicle and mission systems, in particular
the fuel system, crew escape, life support system and prognostics
health management integration. The company also has significant
work share in autonomic logistics, primarily on the support system
side, and is involved in the Integrated Test Force, including the
systems flight test and mission systems.
More News
Aero Linx: International Business Aviation Council Ltd IBAC promotes the growth of business aviation, benefiting all sectors of the industry and all regions of the world. As a non->[...]
"During the annual inspection of the B-24 “Diamond Lil” this off-season, we made the determination that 'Lil' needs some new feathers. Due to weathering, the cloth-cove>[...]
Also: Bushcat Woes, Hummingbird 300 SL 4-Seat Heli Kit, Carbon Cub UL The newest Junkers is a faithful recreation that mates a 7-cylinder Verner radial engine to the airframe offer>[...]
Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production a>[...]
Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for >[...]