wishtobflying
8th Sep 2005, 02:01
Minister for Defence Media Mail List
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Thursday, 8 September 2005 146/2005
'POWER ON' FOR FIRST JSF AIRCRAFT
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) prime contractor Lockheed Martin earlier
today switched 'power on' to test the electrical and hydraulic systems of
the first JSF aircraft.
Defence Minister Robert Hill welcomed the milestone for the JSF - the
most electronically sophisticated aircraft ever made.
Senator 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.
The three principal industry partners - Lockheed Martin, Northrop
Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS - have pooled their manufacturing expertise and
invested in the most advanced production equipment to ensure that the JSF
sets new standards for production efficiency, quality and speed.
Lockheed Martin is reporting 'huge' efficiency gains in their
manufacturing results on the first aircraft compared to current-generation
aircraft programs, citing an 86% reduction in assembly non-conformances, a
44% 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," Senator 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% 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."
Media Note: Vision of the JSF in production will be sent to Parliament
House networks later this morning.
Media contacts:
Sascha Meldrum (Senator Hill)
08 8237 7920, 0409 034 241
Defence Media Liaison
02 6265 3343, 0408 498 664
www.defence.gov.au
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, 8 September 2005 146/2005
'POWER ON' FOR FIRST JSF AIRCRAFT
Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) prime contractor Lockheed Martin earlier
today switched 'power on' to test the electrical and hydraulic systems of
the first JSF aircraft.
Defence Minister Robert Hill welcomed the milestone for the JSF - the
most electronically sophisticated aircraft ever made.
Senator 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.
The three principal industry partners - Lockheed Martin, Northrop
Grumman and BAE SYSTEMS - have pooled their manufacturing expertise and
invested in the most advanced production equipment to ensure that the JSF
sets new standards for production efficiency, quality and speed.
Lockheed Martin is reporting 'huge' efficiency gains in their
manufacturing results on the first aircraft compared to current-generation
aircraft programs, citing an 86% reduction in assembly non-conformances, a
44% 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," Senator 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% 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."
Media Note: Vision of the JSF in production will be sent to Parliament
House networks later this morning.
Media contacts:
Sascha Meldrum (Senator Hill)
08 8237 7920, 0409 034 241
Defence Media Liaison
02 6265 3343, 0408 498 664
www.defence.gov.au