Lockheed Martin has completed evaluation of a new production process under its Advanced Affordability Initiative. The process replaces airframe subassemblies with aluminium investment castings, which do not require finishing (sawing, forming, machining or drilling). Although the technique has been developed for the Joint Strike Fighter, it has been demonstrated on an F-16 forward equipment bay assembly (pictured), produced by Cercast of Canada with a lead time of only 12 weeks, down from a year, and with 15-20% lower cost, says the company.
Source: Flight International
