Monday, February 18, 2013

F-35A successfully completes wing flutter testing

Another important milestone has been accomplished via the F-35 test program:
An F-35A Lightning II conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, known as AF-1, completed its final test mission for clean wing flutter recently at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Flutter testing was conducted to ensure the jet"s structure could withstand various aerodynamic loads verifying the F-35Aís design. The mission, flown by Maj. Ryan "Gunner" Reinhardt, marks the conclusion of three years of testing that now allows the F-35A to proceed with tests continuing to expand its flight envelope and validate predictions in real-world scenarios. The testing demonstrated the F-35 is clear of flutter, at speeds up to 1.6 Mach and 700 knots with weapon bay doors open or closed, critical to performing its combat mission. Data collected proves the F-35A flight dynamics maintains a large margin between its designed airspeed and airspeeds where possible flutter could occur. 
Note the important points - "clear of flutter" at spec.  And, "proves the F-35A flight dynamics" in terms of its design.

And, just as important - successful completion of the wing flutter testing clears the F-35A "to proceed with tests continuing to expand its flight envelope and validate predictions in real-world scenarios."

One would logically assume that given it's performance in the wing flutter testing, the F-35A will do well in tests that "expand it's flight envelope".

@Graff48099375

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