Testing ramp noise and durability on Lockheed Martin’s F-35

The ramp noise was measured and analysed with Brüel & Kjær’s flexible data acquisition hardware and analysis software. To make the most of short testing windows, the system’s facilities for self-test and verification ensured right-first-time data capture, and high data quality for subsequent analysis. For durability testing and quality control, Lockheed Martin put the F-35’s systems through exhaustive vibration test programmes using large V9x water-cooled shakers (V984 and V994) from Brüel & Kjær.

Lockheed Martin successfully acquired and analysed a large amount of data for all F-35 variants under different conditions, establishing their various noise footprints. These results are used to inform decisions about ground crew noise protection. In addition, the durability of components and sub-assemblies was assured.