'Power On' for first JSF aircraft
Minister for Defence Media Mail List ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 |
Further MINDEF newsflash
Following his JSF announcement, Senator Hill apparently departed for the NSW North Coast to re-stock his supply of Byron-Gold......
He can smoke as much as he can lay his hands on, it's still not going to make the Sonderwaffe get here anywhere near on time.... Maybe he should share his stash with the Singaporean MINDEF in the vain hope that the interim 20 year Strike Eagle package common sense is contageous!:sad: |
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