A. W. Patterson, Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Company, Marietta, GA

Summary:

Titanium 6AL-4V castings are being used in primary safety-of-flight structural applications on the F/A-22. Damage tolerance analysis requirements for titanium castings required significant upgrades in (1) welder qualifications, (2) weld repair property verification (procedure qualification records (PQR) and welding procedure specification (WPS)), (3) general NDI requirements and (4) reliability of NDI processes (probability of detection analysis (POD)) as it related to prior usage in aero-engine applications. This presentation will chronicle the maturation of weld repair issues for the F/A-22 air vehicle.