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Show P-H- nflP a Hiil AFB, Utah 7u 84056-582-4 www.hiIltoptimes.com Vol. 57 No. 25, hi!Itop.pahi!l.af.mil June 14, 2001 Flight fans INSIDE: Allowance helps families Page 2 Master, tech sergeant promotions Page 4-- 5 Pilots for a day Page 5 Exchsmja student enjoyed Utah Page 9 Photo by Sta Sgt Matt Lohc High wind and high heat didn't stop an estimated 250,000 visitors from gathering Saturday next to Hill's runway to watch the Thunderbirds, Golden Knights and other aerial performers. See additional AJr Show 2001 photos and ttories, pages 16-1- 7. Fuel tank adds distance to Drifters performing Page 10 F-1- 6 by Greg Davenport Air Armament Center Public Affairs EGLIN AFB, Fla. (AFMCNS) Newly developed conformal fuel tanks allowing foreign 6 pilots F-1- Weather forecasters honored - Page 19 to carry. about 3,000 pounds of extra fuel without taking away armament space may be the difference between future mission successes or failures. Lockheed-Marti- n has contracted with Eglin's Air Armament Center to help develop the fuel tank because experts say the difference between completing and failing a mission may be as simple as how much fuel the aircraft can carry. According to Steve Barter, Lockheed-Martin Conformal Fuel Tank Project pilot, these tanks form fit into the top of the fuselage of 6 aircraft and can carry approximately 3,000 pounds of additional i r- r JjfBSSSSS" F-1- Flag Day June 14 MflY I VJ1I fuel F--16 The tanks add additional range without taking out an to the station where the exterunderwing nal fuel tanks that are carried on the 6 now reside," Barter said. "Alternately, it allows us to add even more fuel by carrying fuel under the wings, but then adding these conformal fuel tanks along the top of the fuselage." This project is unique compared to most flight test projects, said Maj.TinT McDonald, 40th Flight Test Squadron Conformal Fuel Tank Project pilot. "One of the unique things about the project is, while airborne, both Lockheed-Marti- n and Air Force F-1-6, F-1- Courtesy photo This is the only one in the world currently equipped with a conformal fuel tank. Tank testing is being conducted at Eglin AFB, Fla. The tank, which form fits into the top of the of the aircraft's fuselage, can carry about 3,000 pounds of additional fuel. pilots are flying these missions as a combined team. In the control room, you also have a mixture of Air Force engineers and Lockheed-Marti- n engineers working side by side as we execute the testing," McDdnald explained. "It's very much an integrated effort. Each part of the team is capitalizing on the others' expertise in the dif' ferent areas." The 6 Conformal Fuel Tank Project started more than five years ago in the Fort Worth, Texas, area The tanks went through many tests following a redesignto make -- F-1- them more aerodynamic. The tanks were at Edwards AFB, d and lightCalif., for before weight testing coming to high-spee- d for heavy-loa- d and Eglin testing in March. Testing the fuel tank here is at the halfway point and should be completed by late June or mid-Jul- should return to Eglin in October for further testing. low-spee- y. , McDonald said the base's success with the "conformal fuel tank project might open more doors for Eglin in the form of future foreign military sales flight test efforts. There are currently no plans for the tanks to be installed on U.S. 6 aircraft. At this time, only foreign allies plan to acquire me tanks. The tanks will be installed on new Block 50 bound for Greece and later on new Block 60 headed for the United Arab Emirates. F-1- After the testing is accomplished, officials said the conformal fuel tank which is the only one like it in the world, will return to Fort Worth to be fitted with fully functional fuel tanks. The plane F-1- 6, i ! ; I i F-1- 6s F-1- |