Two Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs in flight
The F-35 Lightning II is the most advanced combat aircraft ever built. Take a few moments to watch this awesome video from Lockheed Martin. It shows how cutting-edge technologies, including Nikon Metrology’s iGPS and laser projection, are used in manufacturing the F-35. Even painting the aircraft with radar-evading coatings is accomplished with precise instrumentation guided by lasers.
The Intelligent Laser System used in the F-35 Final Finish Area is the first of its kind to be used in a manufacturing facility, not just in aerospace, but across all industries. It combines the power of locating materials with lasers, with the technology of GPS.
In the ILS, Lockheed Martin applies materials that go directly on the composite surface of the skin. From there, the F-35 moves to the robotic booth where a precise amount of low-observable (LO) coating is applied. The LO coating applied to the F-35 allows the aircraft to fly unimpeded into airspace without being seen by typical radar systems.
Lockheed Martin’s system includes 8 fixed monuments containing 2 infrared transmitters each. There are a total of 22 Nikon Metrology iGPS removable mounts (IRMs) throughout the booths. Each one individually floods the booth with infrared light that the optical sensors on the lasers and aircraft pick up, to tell where they are in virtual space. Each optical sensor has a 360° degree view to pick up the infrared light in order to triangulate position.
Without question, these cutting-edge technologies make this one of the most advanced paint facilities in the world.
Click to watch the video on YouTube
