F-22 Raptor production line at Lockheed Martin
Speaking of Lockheed, one of the last things still manufactured in America are the airplanes. The above is the production line at Lockheed Martin (click to enlarge) for the 5th generation fighter F-22 Raptor. Impressive! If you notice, at this stage of the production most of the assembly is done by hand, hence the distinct part of the manufacturing is the scaffolding, to provide a surface for humans to do the delicate work. An incredible achievement in craftsmanship. I don’t think they move the planes as in a regular assembly line. I believe they bring in the carcases and then fit each with gear while the planes are stationary. This is more like building a complicated house, an entire neighborhood of the identical houses, rather than an automobile assembly line that moves along. Also if you notice the building for the assembly floor has an enormous span (an open area without structural support, i.e. columns or walls). There must be a series of giant trusses, the deep, bridge-like beams, holding up the roof. Also for sure there are the adjacent assembly floors to the sides, so they bring most of the parts latterly.
F-22 Raptor production line at Lockheed Martin
Wait, I found another photo (above). The shot is better view of the building. Confirms what I inferred from the first picture. There is a huge storage/parts area to the left. To the right there is a “command and control center”, an office building within a building. Notice the curved roof trusses, just like a bridge they are supported at the base of the walls/ columns and then again but the stabilizing “shear” beams that run across. The second photo is an earlier stage of the production, they work on the body of the plane, hence the different configuration for the scaffolding. But as I said the planes are stationary.
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy production at Lockheed Martin
The last photo is Lockheed C-5 Galaxy production, a reconfigured logistics and transport plane. Notice the building-like construction with the multilevel scaffolding.
photo via flickr/lockheedmartin
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s almost worth the trade. the Chinese can make everything else as long as we get to keep making these.
Issac, you need to make “everything else” to eventually to be able to make these or you lose the edge.
You don’t make the F22 anymore, your not even capable of making any in the future seeing as the production lines have all gone.
Shame. Beautiful looking airplane.
What are you babaling about one of the last things made in America, of the top of may head all soy and rice not to mention a shed load of TV shows and films.
Sorry dude, forgot that we also “make” the soy beans.