Smiths Aerospace completes V-22 generator qualification testing

Smiths Aerospace has completed full environmental and performance Qualification Testing on the new 30/4OkVA Constant Frequency Generator (CFG) system for the MV-22 Osprey. This completion included laboratory testing to the most rigorous and latest US Navy carrier-based aviation requirements, including Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) susceptibility at 200V/m. Intensive flight-testing has been underway for several months at the US Navy Test Centre in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Smiths Aerospace is gearing up to a production start in 2003, while the MV-22 programme itself is considering increased production rates after clearing a high-level Pentagon review on 23 May. Boeing awarded Smiths the first production order for related electric power components in April 2003. A full production contract for this new, more reliable VSCFbased main generator system is anticipated before the year-end.

The CFG is a derivative of the 4OkVA Variable Speed Constant Frequency (VSCF) generator system used on numerous advanced tactical military aircraft, including the F/A-i 8 Hornet series, the F-117A Stealth Fighter, the U-2S Dragon Lady, and the new KAI A/T-50 Golden Eagle. The USN V-22 qualification programme consists of full MIL-SPEC environmental and performance testing that began in earnest in 2001; the first flight milestone for the CFG occurred in January 2003. The new CFG offers significant benefits to the MV-22/CV-22 Osprey programmes, including improved reliability, less routine maintenance, lower total ownership costs and potentially lighter weight than the legacy system it replaces.

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