The Switch Heard 'Round The World

Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) prime contractor Lockheed Martin Thursday switched "power on" to test the electrical and hydraulic systems of the first JSF aircraft at the company's plant in Fort Worth, TX.

Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill welcomed the news -- calling the JSF the most electronically sophisticated aircraft ever made.

Hill said the ability to power the aircraft shows that the majority of the structure is assembled, the utility systems have been installed and it is ready to test the aircraft's circuits, electronic components and wiring.

"The first aircraft is in final assembly at Lockheed Martin's facility at Fort Worth, Texas, with the four major subassembly sections already joined," Senator Hill said.

"After years of development and some 7000 hours of testing, Pratt & Whitney has commenced assembly of the first flight test engine, designated F135, which is scheduled to be delivered to Fort Worth by December 2005.

"The first test aircraft, a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A, is scheduled to make its inaugural flight in the third quarter of 2006."

The alternate F136 engine, being developed by the General Electric and Rolls Royce Fighter Engine Team, has successfully completed early development activities and has recently been awarded a contract for System Development and Demonstration.

Senator Hill said other major components of the JSF are also on track. The Electronic Warfare, Distributed Aperture, Countermeasures and Radar Systems have all begun flight test and are progressing well.

Lockheed Martin reports "huge" efficiency gains in their manufacturing results on the first aircraft compared to current-generation aircraft programs, citing an 86-percent reduction in assembly non-conformances, a 44-percent reduction in manufacturing defects and a 22% improvement in manufacturing time for composite components.

"Importantly, Australian companies are playing a significant part in achieving these results," Hill said. "Almost 1000 parts on this 'power on' aircraft were designed in Australia by Melbourne-based GKN Aerospace Engineering which equates to approximately 20-percent of all structural parts on the aircraft. The value of Australian industry's early JSF component work is a critical step toward Australian firms winning larger contracts in the next phase of production."

FMI: www.lmco.com