F16 Transparency

Thank you.
T E X S T A R S, I N C. TEL: 972.647.1366 y FAX: 972.641.2800 www.texstars.com ISO 9001
WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS FOR THE DEFENSE AND TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRIES
F-16 Transparency Development

Presented to Allied Weight Engineers 24th Texas Regional Conference
15 September 2000
Topics
Introduction to Texstars, Inc. Introduction to the F-16 Transparency F-16 Transparency Development Conclusion
Introduction to Texstars
Texstars mission is to provide high-quality products, on-time delivery, exemplary customer service, and superior technical support to aerospace and defense customers worldwide. Founded 1946 275 Employees 275,000 square feet of manufacturing space located in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Texstars Markets & Products

Markets
Aerospace and Defense Mass Transit
Products
Composite Products Molded Products Aircraft Transparencies
Composite Products
Aircraft ducts
Boeing, Bombardier
Structural and non-structural panels

Boeing, McDonnell Douglas
Mass transit railcar components

SFO, Washington, DC
Molded Products
Aircraft ducts and housings
Lockheed, Saab, Bell Helicopter
Night vision goggle housings Ground support equipment

Covers for jet engine inlet, air intake
B-777 wing end caps
Aircraft Transparencies
Canopies: F-16, F-15, F-14 Windshields: A-10, E-2C, F-4, F-14, F-111, F117, F-5/T-38, T-37, B-1B, AH-1W Special: B-2 PTPS (glare shield) Commercial aircraft transparencies
Cabin windows, wingtip lenses, flight deck windshields
Advanced Transparency Systems

F-22/JSF type systems
Introduction to the F-16 Transparency
A Little History
F-16 Production started in the late 70s. One of the most successful fighter programs in terms of number produced and meeting performance expectations. Texstars was the original transparency source when production began. Texstars and competitors have produced well over 10,000 transparencies over the life of this program.
What Defines the Transparency?

The Requirements
Shape Unchanged Thickness Unchanged Interchangeability Unchanged Weight Unchanged Optics Changed for greater performance Coatings Changed for greater performance Bird-strike Changed for greater performance
How Do You Increase Birdstrike Resistance?

Increase thickness Change materials Optimize the cross-section
Transparency Birdstrike Resistance
Transparency Weight
Weight & Balance
Maturing systems and CG shifts
Thrust to weight
Maturing systems gain weight, but get a bigger engine
Emergency Egress
This is what it is all about
Canopy Assembly
Emergency Egress
The plastic transparency is not cut or blown apart. The complete canopy assembly separates from the aircraft. The canopy is removed with rocket motors. The rocket motors will only lift so much mass. This is the driver for transparency weight.
The Weight vs Performance Problem

If transparency requirements are unchanged, with the minor exception of Optics and Coatings, how do you increase birdstrike performance from: a 4-lb bird at 350 kts. to a 4-lb bird at 550 kts. without significantly increasing weight?
Monolithic 350 kt.

Abrasion Resistant Coating
3/4" Monolithic Polycarbonate
Manufactured until 1983. monolithic polycarbonate. 4-lb 350 kt. Typical weight 133 lbs.
Laminated 350 kt.

Still being manufactured Acrylic Polycarbonate 4-lb 350 kt. Typical weight 123 lbs.
OML/Airstream
0.150" Mil-P-5425 Acrylic
0.055" TPU Interlayer
0.530" Polycarbonate
IML/Inboard
High Speed Impact

Catastrophic brittle failure. The bird punches a hole. The canopy rejects the bird, but the deflection hits the pilot in the head. The canopy initially rejects the bird, but the transparency fails on the rebound due to a notch received during impact with the HUD.
HUD Location
Laminated 550 kt.

Manufacture started in 1995 Laminated polycarbonate. 4-lb 550 kt. Typical weight 127 lbs.
OML/Airstream
0.523" Polycarbonate
0.025" TPU Interlayer
IML/Inboard
0.190" Spall Polycarbonate
Conclusion
Through the use innovative thinking the birdstrike performance of the F-16 Canopy Assembly has been increased significantly without increasing the weight of the system. The 550 kt birdstrike performance matches the real world flight profile of the aircraft.
Thank You
Thank you.

F16 Transparency

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Thank you.

T E X S T A R S, I N C. TEL: 972.647.1366 y FAX: 972.641.2800 www.texstars.com ISO 9001

WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS FOR THE DEFENSE AND TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRIES