This minor thesis examines whether or not the Australian Defence Force (ADF) needs an indigenous aircraft structural testing program for military aircraft. Aircraft structural testing is a major test and evaluation activity currently undertaken by the DSTO to provide structural integrity information about particular aircraft for the ADF. The ADF has required this testing to be undertaken because, in general terms, testing undertaken by an aircraft's manufacturer has not been sufficient to meet the needs of the ADF. The research was divided into five sub-problems, which examined the need for aircraft structural testing, the management of these needs, what structural testing is required, how the testing should be managed and how the testing should be conducted. The research was undertaken by conducting five case studies into past, current and future aircraft structural tests being undertaken by the DSTO. The cases examined were the F/A-18 International Follow-On Structural Test Project, the P-3 service life assessment program, the F-111 wing test, the Hawk lead-in fighter full-scale fatigue test and the potential test program for the joint strike fighter (JSF). The basis of the case studies was the conduct of a series of interviews of the DSTO staff relevant to each case being examined. The information gathered through the interviews was supported by material gathered through making observations and reviewing documentation relevant to each case. The research concluded that an indigenous aircraft testing program is required by the ADF in order to maintain the structural integrity of its aircraft fleet. This minor thesis makes some recommendations for the way aircraft structural testing is conducted by the ADF, and the way general management of T & E in the Department of Defence could be improved. / Thesis (MEng(TestandEvaluation))--University of South Australia, 2004
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/284327 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Harrison, Stephen J |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | copyright under review |
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