1597. In-Production Aircraft Weight Control
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Paper
Abstract
Lockheed’s history of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft goes back many years to the PV-1 Ventura and then later the PV-2 Harpoon and P2V Neptune. Advancement in the state-of-the-art of ASW equipment led to the development of the P-3 Orion in the early 1960s. Since its introduction as the P-3A in 1961, the airplane has developed into the present-day design as the P-3C Update III currently being delivered to the Navy. The long life of the P-3 lends itself as a good example of how a successful production weight control program can extend the life of an airplane.
This paper provides a history of P-3 weight growth and details the types of changes which cause it. An explanation of how a production weight control program is implemented also is given. Details of a timely weight reduction program that enabled the aircraft to continue to meet its mission requirements are provided. Investigation is made in to the types of weight reduction items that were approved and what ingredients go into making a successful weight reduction program.
The paper concludes with the benefits of a good weight control program to an in-production airplane.
