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.

FMI: www.jsf.mil, www.baesystems.com