Original Date: 10/20/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

As the F/A-18 E/F program progressed into the LRIP phase, Northrop Grumman decided to conduct a LRIP capacity analysis. This analysis concluded that additional paint and coating process areas were needed to meet the scheduled production throughput. As a result, a construction project is currently underway which includes demolishing a nearby old building and constructing a new extension to the existing Painting and Coating Facility.

One of the key features of the new facility will be the ability to convert the space from a general process area to a secured process area. Therefore, the new facility will be designed to meet security requirements with minimal disruption during the conversion process. Depending on the production requirement for the next contract, another extension could easily be added. Another feature of the new facility will be a state-of-the-art, environmentally- controlled area. Historical data shows that relative humidity in the California area can range from below 10% to over 90% during a one-year period. To implement the proper process control for painting and coating, a well- controlled environmental facility is essential. Northrop Grumman will also install a direct digital Energy Management Control System at the new facility.

Johnson Controls’ Metasys Network, the proposed system, will consist of a personal computer, a printer, environmental panels, sensors, actuators, interlocks, alarms, and other devices needed for a complete operation. The controllers will monitor the operation and status of air conditioning units, exhaust fans, humidifiers, alarms, temperature profiles, static pressures, and compressed air supplies. Future requirements can easily be added by integrating new sensors and revising the software. This system can also generate reports for process control requirements related to environmental control, and provide detailed historical data from each spray booth.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.