Crack team: Finland and Australia collaborate on Hornet fatigue testing

摘要

With a shared interest in the structural fatigue life of the 'legacy' F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter, Finland is collaborating with Australia in a comprehensive test program to validate a Finnish Air Force (FINAF) modification designed to prevent cracking in one of the more highly stressed locations in the aircraft. Finland's Patria Aviation, in conjunction with the FINAF, has developed a boron doubler, which is currently being applied to the FINAF Hornet's center fuselage structure, also known as the center barrel section, with access via the main landing gear bay.