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27 July 2000
Lockheed Martin has invited DERA to provide its extensive test facilities in the next stage of the US/UK Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme. DERA is currently supporting the programme with Short Take Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) control law development for shipboard operations using its unique VAAC Harrier aircraft to fulfil a contract awarded earlier this year.
Lockheed Martin has asked DERA to bid against American and European rivals to provide wind tunnel facilities at its Farnborough, Bedford and Boscombe Down site near Salisbury as one of the requirements for the engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) stage of the JSF programme.
US giants Lockheed Martin and Boeing are competing to secure the multi-million dollar deal for the US/UK Joint Strike Fighter programme which is a contender for the next generation of aircraft for the Royal Navy. DERA believes it has a number of technical facilities which offer a competitive package to both companies for the (EMD) stage of the programme due to start next year.
Libby Patterson, DERA's Marketing Manager for Aircraft Test and Evaluation, said: "Receiving an Invitation to Tender from Lockheed Martin underlines international confidence in DERA's world class facilities and expertise. We hope to build on this and contribute even more to the JSF programme."
As DERA awaits the Lockheed Martin decision on the blower tunnel facility due later this year, experts hope the specialist facilities and technical expertise will stand it in good stead for 12 other areas which could successfully contribute to the EMD programme. These include DERA's vertical and horizontal engine testing, aerodynamics, simulation, mission planning, environmental hangar, aircrew systems and test and evaluation consultancy.
DERA is also in discussion with The Boeing Company about how it can participate with them in the EMD phase if they are the preferred weapons system contractor.
DERA's unique blower tunnel played host to another international customer earlier this year when Eurofighter underwent trials on the site. The facility exposes the aircraft to realistic icing conditions in safety on the ground. The tunnel is capable of providing simulated air speeds of about 200 Knots whilst introducing water and liquid nitrogen into the airstream to produce realistic icing conditions.
DERA hopes to build on its previous successes with the VAAC (Vectored thrust Aircraft Advanced flight Control) Harrier which is involved in a £1.5 million JSF programme to conduct further trials into advanced Short Take Off Vertical Landing (STOVL) control law development and handling qualities improvement for shipboard operations. This is collaboratively funded by the JSF programme office and the Ministry of Defence in the UK.
DERA boasts that the VAAC Harrier the most capable and unique system in the world for studying control concepts for powered lift aircraft. The current trials build on prior DERA/NASA research into advanced control laws but represents the first comprehensive shipboard evaluation.
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