Advanced Design Composite Aircraft (ADCA) Study. Volume I
Abstract
The ADCA program defined the payoffs and ramifications of the unrestrained application of advanced composites materials to a completely new aircraft. The specific objective was to obtain a smaller, lighter and less costly aircraft, capable of performing the supersonic penetration interdiction fighter mission at lower life cycle costs than a metal counterpart. The program indicated that significant cost and weight savings over an equivalent metal aircraft could be achieved by the logical application of advanced composite materials to 80% of airframe. The final savings were a 26% reduction in vehicle take-off-gross weight and a 21% reduction in the cumulative average fly-away costs. These savings were primarily due to the resizing of the vehicle which was made possible by the weight savings resulting from application of composites. Aside from these savings, this program has also demonstrated that the capability exists, with current technology, to design and fabricate an airframe utilizing up to 80% composite material.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADB018948
Entities
People
- H. Forsch
Organizations
- Grumman