BAE Systems PLC
Airframe production

Abstract:

Disclosed is a method of producing part of an airframe for attachment to a system. The method comprises: providing an initial structure; providing a reference structure; positioning the initial structure with respect to the reference structure such that its position/orientation relative to the reference structure is the same as the position/orientation relative to the system that it would have if the part of the airframe was attached to the system; specifying an inner mold line; applying, to an outer surface of the initial structure, material; and machining the material such that the position/orientation of the outer surface of the material with respect to the reference structure is the same as the position/orientation with respect to the system that the inner mold line would have if the part of the airframe was attached to the system.