INSERTION OF FUSION BONDED THERMOPLASTIC TECHNOLOGY INTO FLIGHT TESTING

Many challenges and obstacles were overcome in order to get final flight test approval for the fusion-bonded thermoplastic stabilizer. The part and material system were subjected to a battery of tests. The design and environmental requirements, and loads, are evolving concurrently as development of this stabilizer continues. There were also fabrication and assembly enhancements required to achieve quality. This groundwork or basis for the flight testing, including risk reduction tests, manufacturing improvements, design changes, and evolving criteria for the fusion-bonded stabilizer, will be outlined and detailed.