Previously part of a larger OEM, Spirit AeroSystems became a standalone company 5 years ago and is currently a Tier One supplier of aerostructures. Products include fuselage components, wing structures, engine struts and nacelles, and at the request of various OEMs, fully stuffed fuselages and podded engines where all of the wiring, heating, duct work, etc. is installed prior to delivery.
While operating as part of the Propulsion Structures and Systems Business Unit, the design, testing and analysis services provided by the acoustics lab potentially impact all programs at all stages of development because of increasing noise regulations and material certification requirements for implementation in high noise environments. In order to address these issues, the acoustics lab has three main objectives: support design and development of engine nacelle lining technologies, ensure components meet structural fatigue requirements and ensure aircraft interiors meet noise regulation exposure limits.
Historically, the primary focus of the lab has been the development and testing of acoustic liners and their components and qualification of assemblies and materials that will be exposed to high level noise environments. One objective of this paper will be to discuss the methods used to design, develop, and verify the performance of an acoustic liner and the structural integrity of not only the acoustic liners but any assembly or material installed in a high level noise environment. A second objective will be to discuss the development of new testing and analysis capabilities that arose from the relatively recent requirement to address structural acoustic and interior noise requirements.