Tripp
You think you hate it now...
quote:
Walk Before You Run: Boeing's JSF Goes 55 kts in Taxi Tests
The Boeing X-32A Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator Tuesday drew another step closer to first flight with the successful completion of initial low- and medium-speed taxi tests. The taxi tests verified function and integration of aircraft systems, including steering, braking, engine controls and flight-control surfaces when the airplane is in motion. "The engine and all on-board systems performed just as we had expected, based on the static tests we completed in April, " said Boeing X-32 flight test manager Ad Thompson. "The aircraft performed so well at 30 knots, that we were able to move directly to the medium-speed taxi test at 55 knots." Test engineers stayed in constant contact with the pilot while keeping close watch on the aircraft's instrumentation from their control room. "Acceleration, steering and braking were all smooth as the aircraft went through its paces," Thompson said. "While these taxi tests are clearly important milestones toward first flight, our focus is not on any one single flight, but on successfully completing the entire flight-test program," Thompson added. "We will fly when we're ready to move forward to execute the full flight-test program." The aircraft and all its systems must be certified flight-ready prior to the high-speed taxi test. Data from the test will be used by the government to verify that the aircraft is ready to proceed to high-speed taxi tests. Boeing is competing to build the JSF under a four-year U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps concept demonstration contract, while also defining the design for the operational JSF. A winner is scheduled to be selected in 2001.
quote:
We Want Our JSF!
All they need now are cheerleaders... The momentum seems to be swinging for the JSF... after a few tense moments along the way. Echoing the Sec Def’s earlier statements, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan also pledged his support for the Joint Strike Fighter–denying reports that he is less than enthusiastic about the Pentagon's next generation jet fighter airplane. "I can't show greater support than that," Ryan was quoted while updating progress on Lockheed Martin’s F-22 fighter. Ryan claims that that Block 3 software is still on track, but seemed a bit miffed that a canopy cracking problem is slowing flight test progress. Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co. are shooting it out to build the JSF, which is going to become the Pentagon's most expensive purchase with some $200 billion required over the life of the program... though a production of up to 6,000 birds may be authorized for Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps as well as Britain's Royal Navy.
Walk Before You Run: Boeing's JSF Goes 55 kts in Taxi Tests
The Boeing X-32A Joint Strike Fighter concept demonstrator Tuesday drew another step closer to first flight with the successful completion of initial low- and medium-speed taxi tests. The taxi tests verified function and integration of aircraft systems, including steering, braking, engine controls and flight-control surfaces when the airplane is in motion. "The engine and all on-board systems performed just as we had expected, based on the static tests we completed in April, " said Boeing X-32 flight test manager Ad Thompson. "The aircraft performed so well at 30 knots, that we were able to move directly to the medium-speed taxi test at 55 knots." Test engineers stayed in constant contact with the pilot while keeping close watch on the aircraft's instrumentation from their control room. "Acceleration, steering and braking were all smooth as the aircraft went through its paces," Thompson said. "While these taxi tests are clearly important milestones toward first flight, our focus is not on any one single flight, but on successfully completing the entire flight-test program," Thompson added. "We will fly when we're ready to move forward to execute the full flight-test program." The aircraft and all its systems must be certified flight-ready prior to the high-speed taxi test. Data from the test will be used by the government to verify that the aircraft is ready to proceed to high-speed taxi tests. Boeing is competing to build the JSF under a four-year U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps concept demonstration contract, while also defining the design for the operational JSF. A winner is scheduled to be selected in 2001.
quote:
We Want Our JSF!
All they need now are cheerleaders... The momentum seems to be swinging for the JSF... after a few tense moments along the way. Echoing the Sec Def’s earlier statements, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Ryan also pledged his support for the Joint Strike Fighter–denying reports that he is less than enthusiastic about the Pentagon's next generation jet fighter airplane. "I can't show greater support than that," Ryan was quoted while updating progress on Lockheed Martin’s F-22 fighter. Ryan claims that that Block 3 software is still on track, but seemed a bit miffed that a canopy cracking problem is slowing flight test progress. Both Lockheed Martin and Boeing Co. are shooting it out to build the JSF, which is going to become the Pentagon's most expensive purchase with some $200 billion required over the life of the program... though a production of up to 6,000 birds may be authorized for Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps as well as Britain's Royal Navy.