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Northrop Grumman Authorizes International Suppliers To Begin Work On First Phase Of F-35 Low Rate Initial Production
El Segundo CA (SPX) Dec 07, 2007 Northrop Grumman has authorized Terma, Lystrup, Denmark and Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI), Ankara, Turkey to begin fabricating subassemblies for the first two F-35 Lightning II production aircraft. The awards, which expand the international membership of Northrop Grumman's F-35 supplier team, represent the first F-35 contracts for Terma and TAI under long-term agreements signed with the company in 2005. The subassemblies to be produced -- composite components and aircraft access doors -- will be used in the F-35 center fuselage, a major section of the aircraft being produced by Northrop Grumman as a principal and founding member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 global industry team. "Strong international participation in the F-35 program is critical to ensuring the successful production, delivery and sustainment of the world's most advanced multi-role combat aircraft," said Janis Pamiljans, vice president and F-35 program manager for Northrop Grumman's Integrated Systems sector. "These agreements add significant momentum to our very successful partnerships with Turkey and Denmark for the production of critical F-35 subassemblies." According to Pamiljans, Terma and TAI will each serve as a second source supplier to Northrop Grumman during F-35 low rate initial production (LRIP). Under the current authorization, they will begin producing aircraft parts required for the initial phase, known as LRIP-1. In late October, Northrop Grumman officially began LRIP-1 for the F-35 program by starting the fabrication of the first single-piece, all-composite inlet duct for the Air Force's first production F-35 aircraft. That duct is now being produced at Northrop Grumman's composites manufacturing center in El Segundo, Calif. In February 2007, Northrop Grumman signed a letter of intent with TAI to also make the Turkish company a second source for producing F-35 center fuselages. Under that agreement, TAI will produce a minimum of 400 center fuselages starting in LRIP-2. Northrop Grumman currently produces all F-35 center fuselages at its F-35 assembly facility in Palmdale, Calif. The F-35 Lightning II is a stealthy, supersonic multi-role fighter designed to replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. It is being produced in three variants -- conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV) -- to meet the diverse performance needs of the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy and allied defense forces worldwide. The three variants use a high degree of commonality to meet strict affordability requirements. Northrop Grumman's roles on the F-35 team include producing the aircraft's center fuselage, key radar and electro-optical subsystems, and the aircraft's communication, navigation and identification avionics. It also provides mission systems and mission-planning software; and develops pilot and maintenance training systems. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links The latest in Military Technology for the 21st century at SpaceWar.com
EaglePicher Technologies Receives Contract To Support Automated Manufacturing Of Missile Batteries
Joplin MO (SPX) Dec 06, 2007EaglePicher Technologies has received a $2.9 million defense contract as part of the 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill. This government contract will fund the qualification of new missile, portable power and Department of Defense batteries at EaglePicher Technologies' new automated facility in Pittsburg, Kan. The new 30,000-square- foot facility positions EaglePicher at the forefront of U.S.-based battery suppliers for defense-related programs. |
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