Wing Mounted Structures 1

[midsidenode]

Do any of you guys have some ideas and/or opinions with regard to who are the leading manufacturers of wing mounted pod structures. I have some ideas but am interested in input from others. Thanks in advance.

 

[wes616]

Are you talking prototype/one-off, or a production run?


Wes C.
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[KENAT]

Vaguely what kind of pod/structure.

Flight refuelling, Sergeant Fletcher, Portsmouth Aviation, EDO...

More detail may narrow the list.

What country etc too.

KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[wes616]

True,

As Kenat said, more details would be helpful. Building radar and avionics pods or instrument pods is quite a bit different from building an engine pod, or a fuel pod.

And technically speaking, a missile on a fighter could be considered a wing mounted pod.

Maybe even some of us have businesses designing and fabricating pods.... and flight testing pods... and could help more then...

Wes C.
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[wes616]

Oh, and what type of a/c would the pod fly on. If the specific is unknown what about cert type - mil/exp/part 23/part 25?

Wes C.
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No trees were killed in the sending of this message, but a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.

 

[midsidenode]

I apologize for being intentionally vague; nevertheless, I had expected the responses about more specifics. I’m well aware of the differences in structures when comparing different flavors of pods. This will neither be a fuel/refuel, propulsion, aux. power, radar, surveillance nor kinetic weapons pod. I’m looking for companies (noforn) that have the ability to take this effort from design thru testing and into production….. a company that has the man power, experience, skill and facilities to conduct things like strength and fatigue studies, static testing etc…...other than the obvious choices (Lockhead, NGC, Boeing). Kenat: I’m familiar with most of those companies you’ve listed –thanks.

 

[KENAT]

midsidenode given your intention of staying vague it's difficult being much help.

You say noforn, which I assume means no foreign but you don't actually state a country you're in. Given the 3 big companies you list then I'd guess you are US.

Relatively few companies these days have the facilities to do everything you list internally, however many have experience managing the process and getting in external expertise/faciliites as required.

If you could clarify whether this is military or civilian that would help.

For military the classic way to get a quick pod onto an A/C is to take a fuel tank and cut the required holes etc in it.

For civilian given most don't have any kind of pylon you also need to be looking at modifying the aircraft.

I interviewed at this place a few years back (they could't take me as being from UK originally I couldn't get clearnance) it may be up their alley.

http://www.adaptaero.com/index.htm

They weren't very big when I was there but I don't know if they've grown since. Plus for the type of thing you seem to be talking about size isn't everything.

http://www.sargentfletcher.com/spp.htm

who I think you're already familiar with will be a strong contendor for a military pod. Simplistically they may be able to modify one of their cargo/luggage pods (toward th end of the page.

Not a US company but has done work gor USAF etc

http://mdswebmaster.com/UK/MDS2007/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=30

Portsmouth aviation has also done work for USAF

http://www.portav.co.uk/home.aspx.

I used to work there, they have some good guys, if you're remotely interested I might be able to get one of them to look at this site.

Any company that makes bomb racks, pylons etc may be able to help. Examples would be

http://www.marvineng.com/mec/index.htm

Maybe

http://www.airbornescientific.com/bushplan.htm

can help.

To give more specific help you really need to throw us a bone, is it some kind of sensor pod? If so does it need a big GRP or 'Glass' window? What type of A/C, or at least general performance all that good stuff.


KENAT, probably the least qualified checker you'll ever meet...

 

[rb1957]

midside ... what continent are you on ?