Rolls-Royce has produced the first blisk for a system development and demonstration (SDD)-phase liftfan for the short take-off and vertical landing version of the Lockheed MartinF-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The blisk - or integrally bladed rotor - was manufactured in the UK and will be integrated with the first SDD liftfan aerodynamic rig at R-R's factory in Indianapolis. The first blisk was manufactured from a single piece of metal to meet the test schedule, but future items will have the fan-blades friction bonded to the hub.
Source: Flight International
