Ice protection system for JSF engine
Ice protection system for JSF engine
Keywords: Aircraft components, Aerospace industry
GKN Aerospace has won an initial US$6 million contract from US-based Pratt& Whitney to develop new electro- thermal heater mats for the advanced Engine Ice Protection System (EIPS) on the F135 engine. The F135 is the lead engine for the Lockheed Martin F- 35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. GKN Aerospace anticipates that this contract will lead to full scale production in support of the F-35 program, which will enter service in 2012.
The new electro-thermal EIPS is said to remove the need to bleed hot air from the engine, which has been the traditional approach to de-icing.
An electro-thermal system is reportedly more fuel efficient and as a result the performance and endurance of the F135 engine will be increased whilst maintenance requirements will be reduced and simplified.
Frank Bamford, vice president Business Development, of GKN Aerospace comments: “This contract to support one of the world's most advanced engine platforms – and the lead propulsion system on the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter – is of key importance to our Company as we continue to push technological barriers in the application of composite materials. It will represent the first production application of a Resin Transfer Moulded (RTM)composite structure with an electro-thermal heating system integrated into it.”
GKN Aerospace is responsible for the integration of the mats into the forward fan case for the F135 engine, which the company has already been contracted to develop and supply. Heater mat development work is taking place at the GKN Aerospace facility in Luton, England. In creating the complete EIPS, GKN Aerospace is working in partnership with Ultra Electronics who has been contracted separately to develop the system's electronic controller and the interconnecting harnesses and connectors.
GKN Aerospace ice protection products have already been used on the Boeing V-22 engine inlet and EH101 on the main rotor blade, and the company is also currently working in partnership with Ultra to develop the electro-thermal ice protection system for the wing of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Details available from: GKN Aerospace, Tel: +44 (0)1983 283649
