Lockheed Martin has recently conducted ballistic testing on the wing components for its Joint Strike Fighter.
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Demonstrating the Joint Strike Fighter's combat survivability, Lockheed Martin has subjected the X-35 wing to ballistic testing. The testing confirmed the accuracy of advanced analytical simulations performed to predict the structural response of the wing during the ballistic event. The predictions were sent to U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory survivability engineers.
Lockheed Martin's Laser Ultrasonic Test System (Laser UT) was used to assess the wing structure damage during post-test analysis. This production inspection system requires no hard tooling and had a total setup time of less than 10 minutes. A complete ultrasonic scan and analysis of the wing structure was completed in less than an hour and a half, an inspection process that generally requires 36 hours or more throughout the industry.
The X-35A was taken out of the assembly jig and moved to the factory floor.
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The ballistic test structure was designed and manufactured as part of the JSF Airframe Affordability Demonstration program, one of the key demonstrations being performed by the company to refine and demonstrate affordability in design, manufacture, and assembly.
Manufacture of Lockheed Martin's X-35 is progressing steadily, with the first concept demonstrator aircraft moving from assembly tooling to the factory floor. The final assembly activities will include installation of the control surfaces, actuated doors, and landing gear.
System checkouts of the X-35 are now under way, with engine installation and engine ground-runs to be conducted early next year. Extensive system tests have already been completed, including power-on testing of the main electrical distribution system, cockpit avionics displays, and vehicle-management computers that provide flight-control capability and other flight-critical software functions.
Two concept demonstrators are being built for this phase. The first demonstrator, X-35A, will initially be used to demonstrate engine compatibility and flying qualities for the conventional takeoff and landing version of the JSF for the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft will then be reconfigured to the STOVL (short-field takeoff and vertical landing) variant, the X-35B, with the addition of a shaft-driven lift fan. This reconfigured aircraft will then demonstrate the performance and flying qualities of this variant, which will be used by the U.S. Marine Corps and UK Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. The lift fan inlet and auxiliary inlet are already installed on the X-35A, allowing for a rapid conversion to the STOVL configuration.
The second demonstrator, the X-35C, is also under construction. This aircraft will demonstrate carrier landing capability for the U.S. Navy, with its larger wing and tail surfaces providing good flying qualities in slow-speed flight associated with this type of operation. Installation of the wing carry-through and forward fuselage segments in the assembly tool are complete, with the aircraft entering system check-out tests before year's end.
Frank Bokulich
