Australian engineers have been contracted by the U.S. government to study the effects of electromagnetic compatibility and interference on the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) unveiled a full-scale model of the Lockheed Martin-designed aircraft last week that will be used to test the plane’s resistance to lightning and other electromagnetic environmental effects, which can affect both the performance and safety of aircraft.
“The United States Joint Strike Fighter Program Office asked the DSTO to undertake this research, based on its world class expertise in investigating electromagnetic environmental effects,” Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said.
The F-35A’s complex electronics, sophisticated software and mechanical structure, which is made of composite materials to ensure stealth, make the aircraft particularly susceptible to electromagnetic interference from both natural and man-made sources, according to a press release from the Minister for Defense.
“The impact of these interferences needs to be well understood and appropriately managed,” Johnston said. “The data captured during DSTO testing will help in providing potential reductions in the cost of owning the JSF fleet and enhancing the aircraft’s capability.”
The DSTO test methods are designed to provide a cost-effective means of assessing the F-35A’s ability to withstand electromagnetic exposure and minimize any impact on its systems and performance, and are expected to support the verification for compliance and airworthiness certification for the aircraft.
