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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

The testing of a titanium matrix composite (TMC) F-15 nose gear outer cylinder is discussed. Two cylinders were fabricated. An entire F-15 nose gear was assembled using the first cylinder. This test gear underwent static structural tests to three critical loading conditions and functional evaluations including load-stroke, rebound snubbing, jig drops and strut stroke cycling. The TMC cylinder successfully completed both groups of testing with no signs of structural or functional degradation.

Pivot point concepts for fighter type aircraft with variable sweep wings are reviewed. Structural and aerodynamic considerations involved in sweep pivot location, a summary of endurance testing of Teflon lined journal bearings, and variation of fatigue life of the aircraft versus wing sweep position are discussed.

This paper describes a Robotic Cell, constructed and integrated in the McDonnell Aircraft Robotics Lab, for the purpose of demonstrating “freehand” (unstabilized) drilling and blind fastener installation. The cell operates without the use of hard tooling for end effector stabilization. The cell incorporates a jointed arm robot, a computer controlled drill and countersink end effector, an automatic fastener installation end effector, an automatic head shaving end effector, quick change equipment, and a programmable logic controller. The drill/countersink end effector provides high quality holes and countersinks utilizing a conventional industrial robot without the aid of hard tooling. It can be programmed with multiple feeds and speeds, automatically control chip load and cage force, and has the ability to detect broken bits. The fastener installation end effector employed is capable of installing self locking threaded blind fasteners (blind bolts) of multiple sizes and grip lengths.

The U.S. Air Force has recognized the need for an alternative to the conventional hydraulic brake system. Hazards associated with fires and the maintenance required for a hydraulically actuated system are the principal drawbacks of hydraulic brake systems. In addition, an alternative brake system will be required to support a “More Electric” aircraft of the future. The solution to these problems was provided by the “Electrically Actuated Brake Technology (ELABRAT)” program, a three year program sponsored by the Flight Dynamics Directorate at Wright Patterson AFB. ELABRAT developed and demonstrated an Electromechanically Actuated (EMA) brake system to replace the existing hydraulically actuated piston housing and associated hydraulic control hardware.