BAE Systems Begins Work On Demonstrator Plane's Tail Section

BAE Systems tells ANN it has started manufacture of the F-35 Lightning II Carrier Variant (CV). The CV aircraft is the final F-35 variant to start production.

The initial manufacturing on the CV variant is of the first titanium and aluminium frames that will form part of the aft fuselage for the first CV aircraft, which is planned to take to the skies in 2009. The aft fuselage and empennage for each F-35 Lightning II variant are being designed, engineered and built by BAE Systems.

In addition to the CV, BAE is also working concurrently on the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version, as well as the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35 variants.

"Developing three variants of the same aircraft, at the same time, is a first for the military aircraft industry," said BAE Systems' F-35 Lightning II Managing Director Tom Fillingham. "We are breaking new ground on the F-35 program. Each variant has its own unique challenges that have required some innovative solutions from the team. Now that we have all three variants in manufacture it is great to see all the design and engineering work coming together."

The F-35 Lightning II program is the world's largest defense program, and is currently in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. The SDD phase will see the production of 21 test aircraft. Fifteen F-35s will undergo flight test, and six will be used for static testing. Another high-fidelity full-scale model F-35 will validate the aircraft's radar signature.

The aft fuselages for all variants of the F-35 are produced at BAE Systems' Samlesbury facility in Lancashire, UK. As production rates increase in the SDD phase, the BAE Systems team is starting a new aircraft assembly every four weeks.

The three variants of the F-35 Lightning II are being developed to meet the different performance requirements of the US and UK armed forces. The Carrier Variant (CV) is being designed for the US Navy, to cope with the demands of the catapult launches and arrested landings on large US aircraft carriers. The Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) variant will meet the needs of the US Air Force, while the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant is being developed to meet the operational requirements of the US Marine Corp and the UK.

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