Phase III, Block II - Low Observable Coating

Question 1

What is LO?

Answer 1

Low Observable

Question 2

What does Low Observable (LO) technology provide?

Answer 2

Gives aircraft ability to reduce radar, thermal, acoustical, and visual detection.

Question 3

Why is Low Observable (LO) considered a critical combat system for the F-35?

Answer 3

Because operational tactics are developed based on expected levels of LO capability.

Question 4

What systems and programs are used to support the health, repair, and damage reporting of the LO weapon system?

Answer 4

• ALIS
• LOHAS
• LODEM
• LO3M

Question 5

What is ALIS?

Answer 5

Autonomic Logistics Information System

Question 6

What does ALIS provide?

Answer 6

• Central nervous system of F-35 air system support functions
• Hosts Low Observable Health Assessment System (LOHAS)

Question 7

What is LOHAS?

Answer 7

Low Observable Health Assessment System

Question 8

What does LOHAS provide?

Answer 8

Assessment tool to determine air vehicle signature health and prioritize maintenance.

Question 9

In regards to LOHAS, what data elements are used for the signature health assessment?

Answer 9

• Damage location parameters
• Damage characteristics
• Related repair history

Question 10

What is FMC?

Answer 10

Full Mission Capable

Question 11

What is NMC?

Answer 11

Non-Mission Capable

Question 12

How does LOHAS determine if an aircraft is FMC or NMC?

Answer 12

LOHAS compares current defect impact status of aircraft to LO system FMC requirements.

Question 13

If LOHAS determines an aircraft is NMC, what else will it provide?

Answer 13

Also identify defects that need repairing to bring LO system back to FMC.

Question 14

What does LODEM stand for?

Answer 14

Low Observable Defect Entry Module (LODEM)

Question 15

What information is collected by LODEM?

Answer 15

• LO visual inspection surface defect data
• Maintainer log information
• Aircraft tail number
• Defect description
• Location and orientation
• Repair information

Question 16

How is data for LODEM entered?

Answer 16

Entered by maintainers using portable maintenance aid (PMA).

Question 17

What does LO3M stand for?

Answer 17

Low Observable Maintenance Management Module

Question 18

What is LO3M?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

How does LODEM tie in with LO3M?

Answer 19

LO3M analyzes defects recorded against aircraft, using LODEM, to determine maintenance actions required to restore aircraft LO system to desired level.

Question 20

What are the requirements for performing LO maintenance outside the standard day environment, and within the operational maintenance environment?

Answer 20

Portable enclosures with environmental controls.

Question 21

LO material application procedures and cure times are influenced by what?

Answer 21

Environmental conditions

Question 22

List corrective measures that can be used when performing LO maintenance outside the standard day environment.

Answer 22

Heater, air conditioner, erecting a Maintainer Fabricated Enclosure (MFE), using localized enclosure and climate controller.

Question 23

What are different types of Standard Repairs.

Answer 23

• 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

Question 24

How is the OSP design used?

Answer 24

Integrates thin layer of material into laminate, and across aircraft OML surface to provide required LO performance.

Question 25

How is FEC used?

Answer 25

Applied to aircraft and absorbs radar energy striking or traveling along aircraft surface.

Question 26

FEC cannot be used on what areas of the aircraft?

Answer 26

Inlet duct, canopy, hot sections of airframe, and exhaust components.

Question 27

How is MS used?

Answer 27

Bonded to perimeter of frequently accessed panels and actuated doors to provide access without LO restoration.

Question 28

How are FIP seals used?

Answer 28

Used on access panels and doors requiring frequent access and no LO restoration.

Question 29

How are Elastomeric Tape System used?

Answer 29

Used on infrequently accessed panels.

Question 30

What is Elastomeric Tape System (Type II) used on?

Answer 30

Applied in factory and over-coated with FEC.

Question 31

When would you use an Elastomeric Type System (Type III)?

Answer 31

When repair in field on Type II system is required.

Question 32

What are filled elastomer treated fasteners used for?

Answer 32

Provide quick access and eliminate LO coating restoration requirements for frequently accessed panels.

Question 33

About how many hot melt fasteners are there throughout the structure of an F-35C?

Answer 33

40,000

Question 34

Where are permanent fasteners found?

Answer 34

On the OML.

Question 35

How is gap filler material used?

Answer 35

Used to fill permanent gaps between skin panels.

Question 36

What is the recommended periodic or on-demand requirements to perform large area or whole aircraft signature performance measurements?

Answer 36

None

Question 37

What is the Repair Verification Radar (RVR) used for?

Answer 37

Considered support equipment, and used to measure signature performance of repairs more extensive in dimension, or more complex than standard repairs.

Question 38

Is the RVR capable of measuring the performance of standard repairs?

Answer 38

Yes