APPLICAT

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Boeing to build new Apache fuselage GE awards
A FOUR-year, $15.9 mil- Apache helicopters. Boeing improvements, the Apache engine inlet
lion agreement to design, is currently remanufacturing helicopter could remain in device contract
manufacture and flight test a AH-64A Apaches into the military service well into the
new centre fuselage section advanced AH-64D Apache next century. A FIVE-year, $65 million
fabricated in com- In addition contract from GE Aircraft
posite for Apache Phantom Works Engines, to produce com-
helicopters has will use Boeing posite inlet devices, has
been awarded to developed com- been awarded to Marion
The Boeing Co. posite techniques Composites, a division of
The composite sec- that replace tradi- Advanced Technical Pro-
tion, essentially tional metal fas- ducts Inc.
from the aft cock- teners with a In the first five years of
pit of the aircraft stitching process the contract, Marion Com-
to just behind the leading to greater posites is expected to pro-
engines, will be structural integri-
duce composite inlet devices
lighter, stronger ty and lower man-
for the GE F414-400 turbo-
and easier to ufacturing cost.
fan engine, powering
manufacture than The award was
the Boeing/US Navy
the existing metal granted under the
F/A- 18E/F Super Hornet
structure. Rotary Wings
Aircraft.
The award is a Structures Tech-
The inlet device is a
significant mile- nology Demon-
stone for the com- stration ,p;;;h high temperature, bonded
pany’s Phantom ramme, ’ composite structure that
Works and for the funds cost and mounts in the aircraft air
Apache develop- weight reduction inlet just forward of the
ment programme. The AH-G4D Apache Longbow helicopter. initiatives for the engine to enhance aircraft
Successful comple- Army’s existing survivability.
tion of the agreement poten- Longbow configuration. By and future helicopter fleet. Facility and equipment
tially allows for the length- incorporating the composite Ken Jensen, Boeing; startup, risk reduction hard-
ening of the service life of fuselage section and other tel:+l-602-891-2119. ware fabrication, and source
substantiation evaluation
will begin in 19%.
Deliveries are expected
to begin at a rate of one unit
Lincoln wins contract for composite natural gas fuel tank per month and are predict-
THE LINCOLN Com- Continuous spools of carbon The tank has been ed to reach a peak rate of up
posites division of Advanced and glass fibre are combined certified to meet the fuel to ten units per month in
Technical Products Inc has with an epoxy resin and over tank standard set by mid-2002 for the US
been awarded a contract by wrapped onto a high-density the US Department of Navy’s high priority FIA-
Mitsui Plastics Inc, polyethylene liner with alu- Transportation. 18E/F development and
California, USA, to design minum end fittings. The “During the past four procurement programme.
and produce an all compos- resulting composite structure years we have worked hard The current production
ite natural gas vehicle is then heated to cure the to ensure that the Tuffshell plan for the twin engine jet
(NGV) fuel tank for Honda resin. Each finished part is tank meets the demands is to produce a minimum of
of America’s 1998 model individually tested to a pres- of original equipment man- 548 aircraft each including
Civic GX. sure 50% greater than its ser- ufacturers”, says Lincoln’s two inlet devices.
Honda will individually vice pressure. president Jim Fuller. “More “This contract will
mount the 450 .mm diame- The tank design is virtu- importantly, we have increase our previously
ter by 925 mm long tanks in ally identical to the 16 000 focused on ensuring that announced first quarter
the boot of the vehicle. The TuffshellTM fuel tanks that industry certification such 1997 backlog to over
tanks, some of which will be Lincoln has delivered to as the NGV-2, IS0 DIS $600 million”, says Garret
exported for sale in Japan, transit bus manufacturers in 11439 and Canadian B-5 1 L. Dominy, chief finan-
will be used on cars built in Canada and the USA since standards, reflect the need cial officer at Marion
Honda’s Ohio plant and 1992 for use by fleet opera- to improve industry safety Composites.
sold in the US market. tors, gas utilities and shuttle and product integrity.” Marion Composites;
The tank is produced and package delivery Lincoln Composites Inc; teL:+l-800-662-9044;
using filament winding. services. tel: + I - 402-464-821 I. fm:+l-540-783-9667.

Reinforced Plastics July/August 1998