Application of Advances in Structures and Materials to the Design of the YF-17 Airplane

A review of the structural design and material selection in the YF-17 airplane is presented. Emphasis is placed on the choice of those design concepts and materials that are unique, and the effect on these choices of the prototyping philosophy is described. Special emphasis is placed on the use of graphite materials, but the use of other nonmetallic materials and the considerations involved in the selection of metallic alloys and heat treatments are also discussed.