Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
LOCKHEEDMARTIN has completed the initial design review (IDR) for its Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) concept-demonstrator programme, clearing the way to begin detailed design. Boeing says that the IDR for its JSF programme is due later this year. Flight testing of the competing concept demonstrators is planned for 2000.
The IDR covered aircraft design and plans for manufacturing, simulation, certification and flight testing. Preliminary technical reviews were conducted at the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, where two X-32 concept demonstrators will be built and flown.
A preliminary design review of the shaft-driven lift fan for the short take-off/vertical landing variant of Lockheed Martin's JSF was conducted at Allison Advanced Development. Full IDR took place at Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lockheed Martin has selected Texas Instruments to supply the integrated core processor (ICP) for its JSF. The ICP provides processing for sensors, communications, electronic warfare, guidance and control and cockpit displays, with an open-systems architecture.
Source: Flight International
