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Aviation History
2000
2000 - 0017.PDF
DzpsNce Boeing unveils X-32 demonstrators GUY NORRIS/PALMDALE BOEING unexpectedly rolled out both its X-32 Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrators during a 14 December ceremony at its plant in Palmdale, California. The conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) X-32A had been expected to make an appearance, but the short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) X-32B's pres ence was a surprise. The X32-B appears to be exter nally complete but is awaiting its engine. The X-32A is fitted with a non-certificated Pratt & Whitney JSFl 19 that will be used for ground tests and will be replaced before the first flight. Boeing says the roll-out reveals the efficiency and cost-effective ness of its digital design and assem bly techniques. These have allowed construction of the X- 3 2 B, which began six months after that of the X-32A, to be completed six weeks after its stablemate. Assuming delivery of a flight- cleared engine early in the first quarter, Boeing hopes to begin flight-testing the X-32 A in March. Boeing JSF programme vice- president Frank Statkus says that the X-32B's first flight, scheduled for about 60 days after the CTOL version, has slipped by six weeks because of engine issues Flight International, 1-7 December). "We have experienced some issues and we are making sure all performance is at the levels pre dicted by the models," he says. "We are talking about fractions of a per cent, but it has to do with mass flow properties." Statkus says the propulsion team is working "to find out if it is the engine or the model that's wrong". Boeing has confirmed it is still embroiled in solving development issues with early software for the integrated flight and propulsion control system, a critical element of the X-3 2 B system. Boeing is increasing the volume of risk-reduction work performed by the CDAs, and is studying extensions to the X-32B's planned flight test programme. The CDAs are tasked with proving common ality, low-speed flying qualities for the carrier version and STOVL hover and transition. Boeing expects 85% of the X-32B's flight test work to be dedi cated to performance require ments, and is considering test sorties that would include a short take-off, acceleration to superson ic flight and a vertical landing. The X-32A, alternatively, is expected to have up to 85% of its planned flight test time (estimated at up to 50 flights and lOOh), avail able for risk-reduction flights not required by the US Department of Defense. 3 Spain ready for VECTOR SPAIN IS BIDDING to join the second phase of the X-31 exper imental aircraft programme after Sweden's failure to commit fund ing to the planned trinational pro ject. Formal talks between Spanish and German Government officials are expected to start in February, say industry sources. The USA and Germany are preparing to launch the thrust- vectoring, extremely short take-off and landing, tailless operations research programme (VECTOR) initially on a bilateral basis. Funding is expected to be approved in the next few weeks. Project officials hope that the X-31 testbed can later be fitted with ITP's thrust-vectoring nozzle developed for the Eurojet EJ200. Sweden's Saab and Volvo Aero were supposed to have taken responsibility for adapting General Electric's axisymmetric vectoring exhaust nozzle (AVEN) for the X-31. It remains unclear whether GE, although not a formal participant in VECTOR, will object to Spanish Company ITP integrat ing its nozzle with the X-31 's F404 powerplant. Eventually, GE plans to offer its AVEN for the Saab/BAE Systems Gripen, while ITP plans to offer the same capa bility for a possible EJ200-powered version of the Swedish fighter. US participation in VECTOR is being led by the US Navy, while the German side is headed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace. The 25-month programme will focus on technology to improve the short take-off and landing capability of fighter aircraft. Flight tests are expected to begin during the first halfof2000. The sole remaining X-31 was in storage at NASA's Dryden flight test centre, but it has been moved to Boeing's Palmdale facility for restoration. Earlier X-31 work was performed by Dasa and Rockwell (since acquired by Boeing). 3 US Navy awards contracts for next-generation catapult NORTHROP GRUMMAN and General Atomics have won US Navy contracts to develop competitively an electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) for the navy's CVX next-genera tion aircraft carrier. The two companies, selected from seven bidders, will perform EMALS programme definition and risk reduction tasks. Northrop Grumman's contract is worth S62 million, General Atomics' is worth $60 million. Planned work includes the development and demonstration of full-scale, reduced-length, inte grated prototypes by the end of 2003. EMALS is designed to replace steam catapults. One contractor will be selected for engineering and manufactur ing development, which will run from 2004-9. A production con tract is scheduled for 2008, with deliveries starting two years later. EMALS should be significantly smaller than today's systems, while being able to launch current and future naval fixed-wing aircraft and unmanned combat air vehicles. The USN wants to trim the num ber of catapult operators while reducing the life-cycle cost. Westinghouse, with expertise in energy storage, power conversion and electrical linear motors, is supporting Northrop Grumman. General Atomics has worked on electromagnetic guns for the US Air Force and has designed electro magnetic launchers for torpedoes and aircraft carrier catapults. Plans call for the first CVX to be procured in fiscal year 2006, with the ship becoming operational in FY2013 as the replacement for the USS Enterprise. The CVX will have an integrated island design, a new propulsion plant, EMALS and other improvements over today's FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 22 December 1999 - 3 January 2000 15
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