Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) recently completed a long-term full-scale fatigue test program with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for the MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
The MQ-9B features a composite-rich airframe including a GKN Aerospace-manufactured composite V-tail that delivers higher structural integrity and a longer service life compared to the earlier MQ-9A platform.
The program, which began December 13, 2022, covered the third and final lifetime of the MQ-9B, encompassing a total of 120,000 operating hours (40,000+ flight hours per aircraft life). This test verifies the structural integrity of the airframe and marks a key milestone in validating the vehicle's design.
The aim of the test campaign was to identify any potential structural deficiencies ahead of fleet usage and to support the development of inspection and maintenance schedules. The resulting data will be used for certification documentation and will inform in-service inspections of structural components.
"The completion of our full-scale fatigue test validates years of GA-ASI design and analysis efforts," said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander. "The first two lifetimes simulated the operation of the aircraft under normal conditions, and the third intentionally inflicted damage to the airframe's critical components to demonstrate."
Testing was conducted at NIAR's Full-Scale Structural Test Lab, located at the Aircraft Structural Test and Evaluation Center in Park City, Kansas.
"We are thrilled to wrap up this three-year test program with General Atomics," said Brandon Baier, director of NIAR's Full-Scale Structural Test Lab. "The partnership between NIAR and GA-ASI test engineers was one of the most unique and impressive I have experienced."
MQ-9B is GA-ASI's most advanced RPA and includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian models, as well as the Protector RG Mk1 currently being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force.
Source: wichita.edu
