Final Assembly Begins Ahead Of Schedule For Boeing Joint Strike Fighter Demonstrator
PALMDALE, Calif., April 07, 1999 -- Boeing digital design and lean manufacturing techniques for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) scored an early success as final assembly of the first Boeing JSF concept demonstrator, the X-32A, began two weeks ahead of schedule. The X-32 forebody, assembled by Boeing Phantom Works in St. Louis, was joined to the mid-fuselage section which was assembled in Palmdale, Calif.
"Our assembly simulations modeled the joining of the forebody and the mid-fuselage a year and a half ago - just as it happened here," said Frank Statkus, Boeing vice president and JSF general manager. "There were no surprises.
"Meeting the X-32A final assembly milestone early demonstrates our ability to seamlessly integrate leading-edge technologies across our design team, regardless of geographic locale," said Statkus. "It also contributes directly to the overall affordability of our concept. We are able to leverage emerging military and commercial technologies and processes to affordably meet the needs of tomorrow's warfighter."
When the forebody arrived from St. Louis, crews aligned it to the mid-fuselage. Laser technology helped provide a fast, easy and accurate fit between the two sections.
"Low cost and lean," is how John Priday, X-32 assembly and factory manager in Palmdale, characterized the join process. "We used no hard tooling, no special interface tools, no special mate tools which would be scrapped later."
Advanced design and manufacturing techniques such as 3-D solid modeling, virtual reality and digital simulation of assembly processes are reaping cost and schedule benefits beyond expectations on the Boeing JSF program. Crews are assembling the X-32A in Palmdale with 50 percent of the planned staffing level and nearly 50 percent less than today's legacy aircraft. Tooling costs for the concept demonstrators have been cut by more than half over tooling costs for the YF-22. Overall fabrication and assembly costs are 30 to 40 percent below projections.
After the forebody join, the Boeing Palmdale crew will complete assembly of the aft body onto the mid-fuselage. The wing will be attached to the fuselage in May. Meanwhile, Boeing crews in St. Louis and Palmdale are well along in the assembly of the second forebody and mid-fuselage for the X-32B.
Boeing is designing and building two X-32 concept demonstrators while defining the operational JSF. The X-32 aircraft are being built and flown to meet three objectives: 1) demonstrate commonality across the variants, including design/build processes; 2) demonstrate the Boeing concept for short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) hover and transition; and 3) demonstrate low-speed carrier approach flying qualities.
Boeing is competing to build the JSF under a four-year joint U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps concept demonstration phase contract, while also defining the characteristics of the preferred weapon system concept -- the operational JSF. A competition winner will be selected in 2001.
Note to Editors: A photo of the joining of the X-32A forebody and mid-fuselage is available at www.boeing.com, boeingmedia.com or overnight by calling (206) 655-1198.
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Contact Info:
Mike Tull
(206) 655-8655
Mike Mathews
(562) 496-8515
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