Fuel tanks make up a significant structural volume of present aircraft designs. Life cycle costs and the repair of fuel tank leaks are significant. The efforts accomplished, and now in progress, to develop methods to certify the fuel containment integrity of future USAF aircraft are described. The methods use the idea of combining the aircraft structural durability testing requirements with a fuel tank certification requirement. The application of this concept during the development phase of a new aircraft design will enable deficiencies in fuel tank sealing designs to be discovered early, before production begins. The work accomplished to date using C-130 wing fuel tank components, has shown that this approach is possible and does provide valid results. The requirement to employ environmental exposures, including the use of actual jet fuels, and not water or simulants, is emphasized.


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    Title :

    Integral Fuel Tank Certification and Test Methods


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1989


    Size :

    13 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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