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Test
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SQNLDR
Paul Klose, MAJ Norman Landry (Canadian Forces), Paul White
(DSTO), Lorrie Molent (DSTO), WGCDR Greg Young, FLTLT Rav
Sing, FLGOFF Gregory Hall in front of the test rig. Photo
by Keith Muller
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THE
Air Force has shared in a prestigious international award as a result
of its efforts to test the fatigue life of the F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.
The Air Force and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation
(DSTO) won the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences’
prized Von Karman award for their structural testing program assessing
the F/A-18s.
Director General of Technical Airworthiness Air Commodore Noel Schmidt
accepted the award on behalf of Defence at a presentation ceremony
in Toronto, Canada, on September 13.
It’s the first time Australia has won the award, which recognises
outstanding examples of international cooperation in the field of
aeronautics.
The International Follow-On Structural Test Project (IFOSTP) was
undertaken with the Canadian Government, which shared the award.
The fatigue test helps determine how long the aircraft in question
can fly safely before being retired.
The test results will enable the Air Force to determine where and
when structural failures are likely to occur, appropriate repair
techniques and plans for modifications and upgrades.
It’s a project that could help save the Australian Defence
Force millions of dollars.
The two countries agreed to conduct follow-on fatigue testing of
the F/A-18s because the use of the aircraft in the Australian and
Canadian services is different to that in the US Navy, for whom
the aircraft was originally designed.
The ADF Aircraft Structural Integrity Section (ASI-DGTA) has provided
program management, technical support, financial management, and
integration of test results into fleet planning.
The Air Force ASI F/A-18 management team, comprising Wing Commander
Greg Young, Squadron Leader Paul Klose, Squadron Leader Jason Aguis
(Technical Liaison Officer based in Canada), Flight Lieutenant Ravinder
Singh and Flying Officer Greg Hall, has worked closely with DSTO
to ensure the test results provide valuable outcomes.
DSTO has conducted the Australian portion of the testing at the
Fisherman’s Bend Laboratory.
In what was the world’s most advanced full-scale fatigue test,
Australia tested the Hornet’s rear fuselage and tail assembly,
while Canada tested the centre fuselage and wings.
The unique DSTO rigs that were used in the tests are widely recognised
as the only method available for accurately applying manoeuvre and
buffet forces simultaneously. The complex steel structure was designed
to replicate the stresses and strains that Hornets experience during
flight.
The technology and expertise developed during the project is likely
to be incorporated into testing for Australia’s New Air Combat
Capability.
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