Acoustical Characterization of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter: results and perspectives of the first experimental campaign

The Italian Air Force (AMI) and the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA), have carried out an experimental campaign to evaluate the noise impact of the JSF F-35A, recently acquired by the AMI 32nd Fighter Wing based in Amendola. AMI has been the second Air Force in Europe receiving the F-35A, the Conventional Takeoff and Landing (CTOL) variant of the Lockheed Martin stealth fighter, which can fly at a maximum speed of Mach 1,6 thanks to the engine power of the Pratt&Whitney F135 turbo-fan equipped with afterburner. Noise data have been acquired for both flyover and approach/landing flights, exploiting a wi-fi connection between noise measurement stations and a central server located in the control tower in order to allow an environmental-dependent tuning of the scheduled flight parameters. Flyover flights have been performed at different altitudes with fixed engine power (including afterburner) or fixed ground speed for several subsonic flights. Eleven phonometric stations have been located along the airport runway in order to ensure reliability of acquired acoustical data and to build an integrated acoustical model for evaluating and reducing noise impacts in the Amendola airport surrounding area. The results of the activity will also be used to allow a sustainable integration of the F-35 fleet in the Italian airspace.