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In October 1986, the trainer version of the AV-8B jump jet, the TAV-8B, made its first flight. The event concluded a significant CAD/CAM milestone in the history of McDonnell Aircraft (MCAIR), since the forward fuselage and canopies were designed and manufactured using CAD/CAM. This major pilot program applied the MCAIR computer graphics system with wire frame and surface technology to the integration of all design and supplied Manufacturing with digital data for CAM applications. The presentation will focus on the Engineering management of the design integration effort, the computer graphics applications with a CAM interface, the savings associated with this large scale pilot program and the lessons learned.

McDonnell Aircraft Company (MCAIR) is currently conducting the STOL/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator (S/MTD) Program for the Air Force's Flight Dynamics Laboratory (AFFDL) under Contract F33615-84-C-30I5. This program involves the modification of an F-15B. S/N 71-290, to incorporate the following advanced technologies: Two dimensional, thrust vectoring/thrust reversing exhaust nozzles (2D TV/TR) An integrated flight/proputsion control (IFPC) system Modified rough field landing gear An advanced pilot/vehicle interface (PVI) system which includes an on-board landing guidance display system