Boeing begins final assembly of the first X-32 aircraft with the mating of the forebody and mid-fuselage sections.
Messier-Dowty has delivered its first JSF landing gear to Boeing. Following installation of the landing gear, the X-32A prototype is expected to initiate taxi trials and system checks.
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Using digital design and lean manufacturing techniques, the Boeing Company has joined the X-32A's mid-fuselage section with its forebody. After constructing computer models and performing simulations over a year and a half ago, the assembly of these major sections progressed smoothly.
The X-32A and B aircraft will be used as concept demonstrators for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. The aircraft are being developed to meet several objectives including: demonstrating commonality across the variants, demonstrating the Boeing concept for short takeoff/vertical landing, hover, and transition capabilities, and demonstrating low-speed carrier approach flying qualities.
The forebody of the X-32A, which was assembled at Boeing Phantom Works in St. Louis, MO, was mated with the mid-fuselage section at the company's facility in Palmdale, CA. Upon arrival of the forebody, crews aligned it to the mid-fuselage, and using laser technology, joined the sections together.
X-32 assembly and factory manager in Palmdale, John Priday, described the production process as "low cost and lean." He added, "we used no hard tooling, no special interface tools, no special mate tools Ñ which would be scrapped later."
In developing this first concept demonstrator, the company used many advanced design and manufacturing techniques such as 3-D solid modeling, virtual reality, and digital simulation of assembly processes to improve program savings and scheduling. According to the company, its Palmdale facility is assembling the X-32A with half the staff originally planned for the program. Tooling costs for the concept demonstrators have been cut by more than half over those realized by the YF-22. In addition, the company reports that overall fabrication and assembly costs are currently 30-40% below projections.
Following the mating of the forebody and mid-fuselage sections, the Palmdale crew will complete the assembly of the aft body onto the mid-fuselage. The wing was scheduled for attachment in May. Meanwhile, the company is progressing with the production of the second forebody and mid-fuselage for the X-32B.
Messier-Dowty has delivered the X-32's first landing gear for installation on the initial aircraft. The company was selected by Boeing in November 1995 to manage the X-32 landing gear team, which will develop and produce the complete landing gear system for the Concept Development Phase (CDP) of the program. The system includes gear structures, nose wheel steering, brakes, tires, and system hydraulics. It is also involved in other aspects of the program such as the Boeing Strike Fighter Industry Team.
Messier-Dowty's engineering and manufacturing teams have been formulating the design of the X-32's main and nose landing gear systems. Emphasis has been on affordability, ease of production, and commonality using the latest technologies and the company's extensive landing gear experience.
Boeing is competing to build the JSF under a four-year joint U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps concept demonstration phase contract, while also defining the characteristics of the preferred weapon system concept Ñ the operational JSF. According to the company, the competition winner will be selected in 2001.
Frank Bokulich
