Wyle Plays Role in Environmental Impact Studies on West and East Coast Basing of Joint Strike Fighter

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Wyle has played a significant role in assessing noise exposure for the East and West Coast basing of the U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II (aka Joint Strike Fighter) aircraft.

Wyle supported TEC Inc. in developing the F-35B West and East Coast Basing Environmental Impact Statements, which evaluated the environmental effects associated with the proposed replacement of aging F/A-18A/C/D Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II aircraft with new F-35B aircraft at West and East Coast Marine Corps facilities. The Department of the Navy recently issued Records of Decision on the Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for the basing of the F-35B Lightning II aircraft. This clears the way for the basing to be completed as planned.

Wyle played a significant role in this effort through the development and application of advanced noise modeling tools that account for the flight and performance characteristics of the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) vehicle technology. Wyle engineers worked closely with the U.S. Marine Corps to develop F-35 operational and flight performance profiles and applied advanced computer models to assess the noise effects of proposed F-35 operations.

"This project demonstrates how advances in modeling technology coupled with a strong understanding of the operational environment are important to addressing  advanced vehicle platforms such as the F-35 aircraft in a manner that is both compliant with National Environmental Policy Act requirements and responsive to DOD mission needs," said Joe Czech, Wyle's program manager.

Wyle produced cumulative noise footprints of the F-35B and combined those results with noise footprints of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft such as the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II for several alternatives involving Marine Corps Air Stations in Miramar, Calif.; Yuma, Arizona; Beaufort, South Carolina; and Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Wyle also applied its airspace models to predict noise exposure resulting from F-35 operations in special use airspace and employed supplemental tools and metrics to assess potential community impacts in terms of speech interference, sleep disturbance and potential for human hearing loss.

Wyle continues to play an integral role in assessing the environmental effects of next-generation vehicles both in support of the vital mission of the U.S. military, as well as the environmental sustainability of the National Airspace System under the NextGen initiative. 

"We are proud to be in a position to help ensure the environmental compatibility of future DOD basing requirements and fleet modernization efforts," said Jawad Rachami, Wyle's director of operations for Environmental and Energy Research and Consulting unit. "The combination of technical expertise and institutional knowledge possessed by our staff in this area allows us to deliver effective and reliable solutions that safeguard the DOD mission while protecting the environment."

Wyle is a leading provider of high tech aerospace engineering and information technology services to the federal government on long-term outsourcing contracts. The company also provides biomedical and engineering services for NASA's human space missions; test and evaluation of aircraft, weapon systems, networks, and other government assets; and other engineering services to the aerospace, defense, and nuclear power industries.

Contact:
Dan Reeder
(310) 563-6834
Ref.:  NR/11-13

SOURCE Wyle

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