Keywords
Citation
(2006), "Brookhouse builds new speed brake for T45 Goshawk", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 78 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2006.12778fab.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2006, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Brookhouse builds new speed brake for T45 Goshawk
Brookhouse builds new speed brake for T45 Goshawk
Keywords: Aircraft components, Military aircraft
Brookhouse Aerospace, of Tameside, Manchester, is currently building the modified speed brakes which will be retrofitted to all the T45 Goshawk trainers in service with the US Navy. This complex detail assembly is a continuation of similar assembly and build work for the T45 carried out by Brookhouse over the past nine years.
The T45 is an adaptation of the successful Hawk trainer and has been re-engineered to withstand the rigours of service at sea. Apart from being able to function effectively in the corrosive salty environment, the aircraft must also be extremely robust to withstand the repetitive shocks of carrier landings by student pilots.
As part of the re-engineering programme, it was decided to change the backing structure of the speed brake from its original aluminium construction to a construction using steel and titanium, while retaining the main carbon fibre blade. Working from drawings supplied by the aircraft manufacturer, BAE Systems, Brookhouse have manufactured all the tooling and components required to produce in excess of 180 modified brakes. This included the design and manufacture of rate tooling for the composite blade and then the production of these composite components at its Darwen site, the manufacture of all the new metallic components for the backing structure, both in titanium and steel. Apart from some titanium components, which are hot-formed at a subcontractor, all metallic, backing structure components are cold-formed in house, using both traditional and state-of-the-art plant. The air brakes are now being assembled and finished painted at Tameside before being despatched to BAE Systems for delivery to the US Navy.
Brook house's involvement in the Goshawk programme has included manufacture and assembly of the engine diaphragm, the engine bay door, the side structure main panels and the tank floor. The company is currently undertaking various production phase programmes for a number of civil and military aircraft.
Details available from: Brookhouse Aerospace Ltd, Tel: +44 (0)161 351 3500.