The Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion offers unique opportunities to implement low cost composite manufacturing techniques on an aging aircraft platform. A joint LM Aero and M&P Technologies program targeted secondary components on the P-3 based on cost savings potential. Secondary components were targeted to increase the probability of success since VARTM is not a widely used manufacturing process on current aircraft and since there can be a small knock-down in performance associated with the VARTM process. Initially the program developed critical design properties on a selected VARTM composite system. Next subelements were fabricated and their quality determined. The program culminated in the fabrication of two full-scale articles for flight-test demonstration. In addition, hand lay-up and VARTM techniques were compared to quantify the potential cost savings of the VARTM process for the selected P-3 lower wing fillet panel. This work concluded that Lockheed Martin could effectively reduce new airframe costs while the DoD could reduce maintenance costs via low cost spares and corrosion resistant composites by establishing a streamlined procedure for substituting aging metallic structures with low cost composites.


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    Title :

    VARTM of P-3 integrated secondary aircraft structure


    Contributors:


    Publication date :

    2004


    Size :

    10 Seiten, 17 Quellen



    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English





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