Press Release Source: Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Lockheed Martin Conducts Flight Testing of More Powerful Engine for
F-16
Thursday June 26, 5:19 pm ET
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed
Martin (NYSE: LMT - News) has successfully completed the initial
phase of flight testing of a more powerful engine for the latest
version of the F-16, the Block 60.
The engine is a General Electric F110-GE-132 turbofan engine that
produces approximately 32,500 pounds of thrust in maximum
afterburner. It is a derivative of the current F110-GE-129, which
is in the 29,000-pound thrust class.
Flight testing was accomplished on a modified USAF F-16C at the Air
Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Thirteen
flights were conducted from April 25 through June 19. The original
plan called for 25 flights over a three-month period, but aerial
refueling and excellent engine performance and reliability allowed
the number of flights to be cut in nearly half.
"The engine met or exceeded all of our expectations during
extensive ground and flight testing," said Dan Levin, Lockheed
Martin project test pilot. "The engine performed flawlessly, even
at extremes of the F-16 flight envelope, and you really notice the
added thrust. The handling qualities in formation and aerial
refueling were excellent. We look forward to testing the engine in
the first Block 60 aircraft at Fort Worth later this year."
The new engine version is being developed by General Electric
Aircraft Engines, Evendale, Ohio, in support of a commercial
contract to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., for the new Block 60
F-16.
"This is an important milestone in the Block 60 program leading to
production of the first aircraft later this year," said John L.
Bean, vice president of F-16 programs. "This higher-thrust engine
ensures the Block 60, which has the capability to operate at higher
gross weights, will retain the F-16's famous performance that
entails acceleration, climb rate and sustained turn rate. New
technologies are allowing this to be accomplished while maintaining
or improving engine operability, durability, reliability or
maintainability."
The new engine version features "blisks" (bladed-disks) in the
three-stage modular fan section in lieu of traditional blades to
improve performance and maintainability. The engine also
incorporates an enhanced durability radial augmentor (afterburner)
and exhaust nozzle, plus control software modifications to optimize
engine performance at all flight conditions. The Block 60 aircraft
and engine also will feature an auto-throttle capability.
Flight testing verified compatibility across the entire F-16
envelope, including high angle-of-attack and sideslip maneuvers,
pushovers, inverted flight, and takeoff and landings. Test points
included air starts, throttle transients, afterburner operation,
primary and secondary fuel control operation, and formation
flying.
The F-16 is the choice of 24 countries. More than 4,000 aircraft
have been delivered, hundreds more are on order, and production is
expected to continue beyond 2010. Major upgrades for all F-16
versions are being incorporated to keep the fleet modern and fully
supportable over the aircraft's long service life.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., a business area of Lockheed Martin
Corp., is a leader in the design, development, systems integration,
production and support of advanced military aircraft and related
technologies. Its customers include the military services of the
United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products
include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, T-50, C-5, C-130,
C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about
125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture and integration of
advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation
reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion
