Phase III, Block II - Low Observable Coating Flashcards
What is LO?
Low Observable
What does Low Observable (LO) technology provide?
Gives aircraft ability to reduce radar, thermal, acoustical, and visual detection.
Why is Low Observable (LO) considered a critical combat system for the F-35?
Because operational tactics are developed based on expected levels of LO capability.
What systems and programs are used to support the health, repair, and damage reporting of the LO weapon system?
- ALIS
- LOHAS
- LODEM
- LO3M
What is ALIS?
Autonomic Logistics Information System
What does ALIS provide?
- Central nervous system of F-35 air system support functions
- Hosts Low Observable Health Assessment System (LOHAS)
What is LOHAS?
Low Observable Health Assessment System
What does LOHAS provide?
Assessment tool to determine air vehicle signature health and prioritize maintenance.
In regards to LOHAS, what data elements are used for the signature health assessment?
- Damage location parameters
- Damage characteristics
- Related repair history
What is FMC?
Full Mission Capable
What is NMC?
Non-Mission Capable
How does LOHAS determine if an aircraft is FMC or NMC?
LOHAS compares current defect impact status of aircraft to LO system FMC requirements.
If LOHAS determines an aircraft is NMC, what else will it provide?
Also identify defects that need repairing to bring LO system back to FMC.
What does LODEM stand for?
Low Observable Defect Entry Module (LODEM)
What information is collected by LODEM?
- LO visual inspection surface defect data
- Maintainer log information
- Aircraft tail number
- Defect description
- Location and orientation
- Repair information
How is data for LODEM entered?
Entered by maintainers using portable maintenance aid (PMA).
What does LO3M stand for?
Low Observable Maintenance Management Module
What is LO3M?
- Software module within LOHAS that supports flight operations by displaying aircraft LO health/status
- Recommends LO maintenance tasks to be performed based on aircraft signature status and mission requirements
How does LODEM tie in with LO3M?
LO3M analyzes defects recorded against aircraft, using LODEM, to determine maintenance actions required to restore aircraft LO system to desired level.
What are the requirements for performing LO maintenance outside the standard day environment, and within the operational maintenance environment?
Portable enclosures with environmental controls.
LO material application procedures and cure times are influenced by what?
Environmental conditions
List corrective measures that can be used when performing LO maintenance outside the standard day environment.
Heater, air conditioner, erecting a Maintainer Fabricated Enclosure (MFE), using localized enclosure and climate controller.
What are different types of Standard Repairs.
- Outer Mold Line (OML) Surface Ply (OSP)
- Filled Elastomeric Coating (FEC)
- Molded Seals (MS)
- Form-in-Place (FIP) Seals
- Elastomeric Tape System (Types II and III)
- Frequent Access Panel Treated Fasteners
- Fastener Head Treatment (Hot Melt)
- Permanent Gaps
How is the OSP design used?
Integrates thin layer of material into laminate, and across aircraft OML surface to provide required LO performance.
How is FEC used?
Applied to aircraft and absorbs radar energy striking or traveling along aircraft surface.
FEC cannot be used on what areas of the aircraft?
Inlet duct, canopy, hot sections of airframe, and exhaust components.
How is MS used?
Bonded to perimeter of frequently accessed panels and actuated doors to provide access without LO restoration.
How are FIP seals used?
Used on access panels and doors requiring frequent access and no LO restoration.
How are Elastomeric Tape System used?
Used on infrequently accessed panels.
What is Elastomeric Tape System (Type II) used on?
Applied in factory and over-coated with FEC.
When would you use an Elastomeric Type System (Type III)?
When repair in field on Type II system is required.
What are filled elastomer treated fasteners used for?
Provide quick access and eliminate LO coating restoration requirements for frequently accessed panels.
About how many hot melt fasteners are there throughout the structure of an F-35C?
40,000
Where are permanent fasteners found?
On the OML.
How is gap filler material used?
Used to fill permanent gaps between skin panels.
What is the recommended periodic or on-demand requirements to perform large area or whole aircraft signature performance measurements?
None
What is the Repair Verification Radar (RVR) used for?
Considered support equipment, and used to measure signature performance of repairs more extensive in dimension, or more complex than standard repairs.
Is the RVR capable of measuring the performance of standard repairs?
Yes
