Application Of Advanced Manufacturing Technology to the V22 Osprey Composite Airframe Structure

The purpose of this paper is to present the manufacturing methods developed under an Air Force Materials Laboratory contract to Boeing Helicopters. The overall objective of the program is to establish and validate low cost manufacturing methods for producing a primary composite fuselage structure for the V22 aircraft. In addition to a detailed discussion of the manufacturing methods developed, cost savings, structural performance and design enhancements, as a result of this program, will also be discussed.