See more news releases in: Aerospace & Defense, Contracts
Lockheed Martin Awarded Phase II Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft Flight Demonstration Contract
PALMDALE, Calif., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The United States
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has authorized Lockheed Martin (NYSE:
LMT) to proceed to Phase II of the Advanced Composite Cargo Aircraft (ACCA)
Flight Demonstration contract.
"This contract represents an important first step to advance composite
usage on next-generation tactical air mobility transports," said Frank
Cappuccio, executive vice president and general manager, Advanced
Development Programs (the Skunk Works(R)), Lockheed Martin.
Under the contract, Lockheed Martin will build and flight-demonstrate
an X-Plane type aircraft with emphasis on innovative structural
configurations and concepts to include advanced prototyping and composite
technologies. Its solution involves replacement of the mid/aft fuselage and
empennage of a Dornier 328J aircraft with advanced composites within the
required 12-month schedule.
"With ACCA we are attempting to reinvent the manufacturing paradigm
through the strategic use of composite manufacturing technologies," said
Frank Mauro, vice president, Advanced Systems Development, Advanced
Development Programs (the Skunk Works(R)), Lockheed Martin. "This is an
important opportunity to forever change the way composites are used in
aircraft manufacturing, leading to lighter, less expensive, more durable
aircraft that are easier to maintain."
Lockheed Martin's integration of advanced composites on the ACCA flight
demonstrator will enable a reduction of 80-90 percent in parts count and a
dramatic reduction in corrosion and fatigue issues compared to conventional
aircraft manufacturing approaches. Planned growth provisions will allow it
to be used well into the future as a technology workhorse for additional
air mobility advanced transport experiments. Further, ACCA will provide
production traceability allowing the key technologies to be applicable to a
broad spectrum of next generation aircraft including long range strike,
unmanned systems and future air mobility transports.
ACCA is a capstone demonstration of several technologies developed
under recent Department of Defense Contracted Research and Development
(CRAD) programs, particularly the Composite Affordability Initiative. "AFRL
is excited to authorize Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works(R) to proceed with
their highly innovative demonstration program," said Barth Shenk, AFRL
program manager. AFRL is currently investigating opportunities for Aurora
Flight Sciences to collaborate with Lockheed Martin and AFRL in the
demonstration of additional technologies and capabilities for future
transport structures.
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.
For additional information, visit our Web site:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com
SOURCE Lockheed Martin
Back to top
RELATED LINKS
http://www.thefighterenterprise.com
Custom Packages
Browse our custom packages or build your own to meet your unique communications needs.
PR Newswire Membership
Fill out a PR Newswire membership form or contact us at (888) 776-0942.
Learn about PR Newswire services
Request more information about PR Newswire products and services or call us at (888) 776-0942.
Featured Video
More in These Categories
Journalists and Bloggers
![]()
Visit PR Newswire for Journalists for releases, photos, ProfNet experts, and customized feeds just for Media.
View and download archived video content distributed by MultiVu on The Digital Center.
Free Investing Newsletter from Investor Uprising!
Learn to navigate the world's financial system and profit from leading companies.
Register for Investor Uprising, the people's investment site, for a free weekly newsletter, information, education and premium research including our latest IU Confidential Report - "All The Glitters: The Ultimate Gold Report".
