Assessment of Aircraft Susceptibility/Vulnerability to Lightning and Development of Lightning-Protection Design Criteria

Possible approaches for assessing the susceptibility/vulnerability of aircraft to both the direct and indirect (induced) effects of lightning and for developing lightning-protection design criteria are examined. Particular emphasis is focused on methods that can be used to achieve a high level of confidence in aircraft safety and survival. Assessment factors and their uncertainties are qualitatively and quantitatively discussed. Lightning-protection design approaches involving both test and analysis as applied to the F-16 fighter aircraft and the NASA Space Shuttle are reviewed. A probabilistic or statistical approach is outlined (with examples) for predicting single and/or redundant equipment failure due to indirect lightning effects.