EAST HARTFORD, Conn.,
May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/
-- Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies
Corporation (NYSE: UTX), recently participated in a series of Live
Fire Tests (LFT) in conjunction with the Naval Air Systems
Command's (NAVAIR) Weapons Survivability Laboratory (WSL) to assess
the F135 propulsion system's performance against ballistic
damage.
The F-35 LFT included a series of tests designed to better
understand the capabilities and vulnerabilities of the F135 upon
sustaining ballistic damage. According to a recap of the trial,
published by the Navy's Joint Aircraft Survivability Program Office
(JASPO), "the test results were favorable, and in many cases, the
propulsion system performed better than predicted."
Three F135 test series were conducted, including Short Takeoff
and Vertical Landing (STOVL) propulsion system tests; dynamic and
static engine ballistic tests; and finally, total fuel ingestion
tests. These tests were aimed at better understanding the advanced
engine control system, the capabilities of the main engine with
battle damage, and to assess the engine's fuel ingestion
tolerance.
According to the JASPO report, the "STOVL propulsion system was
very tolerant of damage with little performance loss over the
course of the testing." The report also indicated that the
"propulsion control system is very capable in its ability to
withstand and accommodate damage via built in redundancies… [and]
the engine showed a high tolerance of ingested fuel."
The JASPO report concluded that damage to blades and vanes in
both the lift fan and main engine did not result in catastrophic
damage, and that, in fact, the F135 engine and its control system
are capable of withstanding and accommodating damage, and providing
information to alert the pilot to the damage sustained by the
system. The data collected from these LFTs will be used to update
assumptions used in the F135 vulnerability assessment.
"This series of tests on the CTOL/CV and STOVL variants is
intended to mimic battlefield damage in wartime scenarios. The F135
is an amazing propulsion system that has proved its durability
through this very rigorous testing by sustaining increasing levels
of damage, yet continues to operate to the customer
specifications," said Cheryl Lobo,
director, F135 programs. "These tests should provide
confidence in the capabilities of the propulsion system for our
operators."
All testing was conducted at the Weapon Survivability Laboratory
(WSL) in China Lake, California.
In addition to Pratt & Whitney personnel, testing was conducted
by personnel from the WSL; UTC Aerospace Systems; Lockheed Martin;
Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E); and the
Institute for Defense Analysis.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture
and service of aircraft engines, auxiliary and ground power units,
and small turbojet propulsion products. United Technologies Corp.,
based in Hartford, Connecticut, is
a diversified company providing high technology products and
services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more
about UTC, visit its website at www.utc.com, or follow the company
on Twitter: @UTC.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ
materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government
procurement priorities and practices, budget plans and availability
of funding, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges
in the design, development, production and support of advanced
technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the
companies' Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Matthew Bates
Pratt
& Whitney Military Engines
Mobile: +1-860-371-9857
Matthew.Bates@pw.utc.com
SOURCE Pratt & Whitney