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Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2069 Status: Offline

Anybody on our forums who is interested to talk about the "Japanese Viper"?

Latest related LM press release:

Quote:

LOCKHEED MARTIN RECEIVES $150 MILLION CONTRACT FOR F-2 COMPONENT WORK

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 2, 2007 --

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] received a contract from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) on March 31 valued at $150 million to manufacture components for five additional F-2 production aircraft. MHI is the prime contractor for the F-2, Japan’s operational support fighter.

"Japan selected the Lockheed Martin F-16 multi-role fighter in 1987 as the basis for the joint Japan-U.S. design of a new support fighter for the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF), and Lockheed Martin began delivery of production airframe and avionics components and other F-2 systems to MHI in 1998. We continue to deliver quality products that meet their needs and those of the JASDF," said Jim Shidler, Lockheed Martin F-2 program director. "We have also begun support of MHI as they and the JASDF consider and incorporate specific new systems and weapons onto the F-2 to enhance its operational flexibility and capability."

The Japan Government recently authorized the total production of 94 F-2 aircraft, and this new award to Lockheed Martin brings the total aircraft under contract to 86. Lockheed Martin is producing components for 81 F-2 aircraft from those orders initiated under the 10 previous annual contracts. Under this new contract, the company will provide all of the aft fuselages, wing leading-edge flaps and stores management systems; 80 percent of all left-hand wing boxes; and other avionics and avionics support equipment. Lockheed Martin components are shipped to MHI’s Komaki-South facility in Nagoya, Japan, where they are assembled with other components by MHI to form the F-2. MHI delivered the first production aircraft to the Ministry of Defense in September 2000, and has delivered 71 aircraft to date.

Lockheed Martin successfully completed all component deliveries in January 2007 for its ninth annual production contract with MHI. Delivery of major components for the tenth contract, signed last year, began in December 2006. This year’s contract, the eleventh, is effective immediately with deliveries scheduled to begin in February 2008. Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 370 major airframe, avionics and avionics support equipment components in this successful partnership with MHI since production deliveries began.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of over $39.6 billion.

Contact:
Laurie Quincy, 817-777-0647
e-mail: laurie.a.quincy@lmco.com

<a href="http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?dsp=fec&ci=18287&rsbci=0&fti=112&ti=0&sc=400">Source</a>

Associated picture:

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Veteran Joined: Mar 24, 2007 Posts: 379 Status: Offline

I was lucky enough to be assigned to the F-2 program in 1998 during the flight test program at Gifu AB, outside of Nagoya, Japan. Our Lockheed flight test support team consisted of a team leader, and engineers from avionics, flight control, and structures (me). I had not been involved in design or manufacturing, so it was a good opportunity to learn about the airplane. The Japanese team was very hospitible, but we were not given much to do. Later, I returned to the base as the the only Lockheed engineer there and was much more directly involved in the flight test.

The Gifu AB flight test facility was first class and for the most part, the engineers were also. All in all, not much different from testing at Edwards, except Eddy has better weather and clearer air space.

From an engineering standpoint, the airplane had some development problems, just like all other advanced airplanes. That is why we test - find the problems and fix them.

Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2069 Status: Offline

Many thanks for your first reply to this new topic, johnwill! Very nice that you are an F-2 program professional! Would you tell us some further details? Anybody of our F-16.net users who has already an F-2 Aircraft Database "on hand" (including serial and tail numbers)?

How was the wing cracking situation remedied? I hope it was not just by reducing the maximum Gs the aircraft could pull.

Veteran Joined: Mar 24, 2007 Posts: 379 Status: Offline

Sorry I can't supply any late information, as I left the program in May 2001. Not sure what wing cracking you are referring to, FDiron. There were no cracking problems while I was on the program, but there were some composite bonding problems. As you probably know, the wing is a co-cured composite structure, where the spars, ribs, and lower skin are all bonded together. One of the advantages of this type of construction is the elimination of fastener holes in the lower skin. Lower skin fastener holes are a potential source of cracks due to repeated loads. Ground structural tests showed the need to develop better bonding methods in certain areas and that was done. Of course, composite structure does not normally crack, it delaminates.

Reducing g-limits is not normally a response to cracking problems. Flight test involves measuring structural loads all over the airplane and comparing with design loads. If measured loads are significantly larger than design loads, then sometimes maneuver limits are reduced until the structures can be improved. Airplanes already built can be strengthened, and redesign applied to new airplanes.

If cracks appear, crack growth is monitored, and sometimes growth can be stopped by grinding out the crack or drilling small holes at the crack tip. Reducing maneuver limits does not really help much with cracking, since cracks will continue to grow with repeated low magnitude loads.

J.J. wrote:

Anybody on our forums who is interested to talk about the "Japanese Viper"?

The proper unofficial nickname is "Viper-Zero".

J.J wrote:

Anybody of our F-16.net users who has already an F-2 Aircraft Database "on hand" (including serial and tail numbers)?

As you may know, the usual suspects for data such as all F-2 serial numbers, are
http://www.f2-supporter.net/F2info/index.html
http://homepage2.nifty.com/scotch_w/scotch_photo.htm

Veteran Joined: Mar 24, 2007 Posts: 379 Status: Offline

Interestingly enough (to me anyway) we flight tested the F-2 at Gifu AB, the same base where the A6M Zero was tested almost 70 years ago. They still have a Zero there, although it had not been restored the last time I was there, 2001. I seem to remember that my friend in the JASDF told me it had been raised from the ocean and would never be restored.

[quote="johnwill"]They still have a Zero there, although it had not been restored the last time I was there, 2001. [/quote]

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ku3n-kym/he ... /gifu.html

It looks FUBAR.

Veteran Joined: Mar 24, 2007 Posts: 379 Status: Offline

Yes, that is the one I saw in 2001. FUBAR indeed!

http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200705 ... 53110.html
reported:

31 May 2007:
From 29 May 2007 to 4 July 2007, JASDF will participate in Japan-US joint exercise Cope North Guam 07, at Anderson AFB, Guam.
From 10 to 23 June 2007, F-2 replaces F-4EJ for first time.

Japan side: eight F-2 and two E-2C of 3rd Koukuudan, based at Misawa AB, Aomori Prefecture. About 230 personnel, led by Colonel Arima Tatsuya.
Supported by C-130H of 1st Yusou Koukuutai.
Flight course: Misawa, Hyakuri, Ioujima (Iwo Jima), Anderson AFB.

US side: 5th Air Force (Yokota), 13th Air Force, 27th expeditionary wing (Cannon AFB, New Mexico). 18 F-16.

F-2 will drop live 500-pound bombs at bombing range at Farallon de Medinilla Island, one of Northern Mariana Islands.
http://wikitravel.org/ja/%E5%8C%97%E3%8 ... 8%E5%B3%B6

Elite Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2069 Status: Offline

Gamera wrote:

As you may know, the usual suspects for data such as all F-2 serial numbers, are
http://www.f2-supporter.net/F2info/index.html
http://homepage2.nifty.com/scotch_w/scotch_photo.htm

Thanks for these important links and also for your latest info, Gamera!

http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200706 ... 62106.html

Photo of JASDF F-2A at Guam, for Cope North Guam 07.

http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200706 ... 62808.html

"Japan-US joint 'Cope North Guam' is over
F-2 first anti-ground live bombing"

http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200706 ... 62805.html

"Jap Ministry of Defense English version HP contents renovation
Photographs and animations many uses"

Damn, I am leaving for guam next week, it would have been cool to get some pictures of the F-2 while it was still there.

http://www.asagumo-news.com/news/200709 ... 92011.html

Saturday, 1 September 2007:
3rd Koukuudan, JASDF, based at Misawa AB, Misawa Prefecture.
50th anniversary.

Remembrance for members killed on duty.
Flight of five F-2, and flight of four F-4EJ Kai.

Misawa AB air show on 2 September.

In December 1957 (Shouwa 32), established at Matsushima AB, Miyagi Prefecture. Equipped with F-86D and F-86F.
Later, moved to Komaki AB, Aichi Prefecture.
1978 (Shouwa 53), moved to Misawa AB.
Equipped with F-1, F-4, and from 2000 (Heisei 12), F-2.
2009 (Heisei 21), will have two Hikoutai of F-2.

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