Workers in Texas and
California have begun fabricating the first major airframe
components for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
On Monday, Nov. 10, milling machines at Progressive Inc., in
Arlington, Texas, and at H.M. Dunn Co. Inc., in Euless, Texas,
began cutting "big-bone" structural components for the supersonic
stealth fighter. Simultaneously, Northrop Grumman Corp., a
principal teammate on the F-35 program, started the milling process
for other major parts of the F-35 JSF's airframe with its
subcontractor Brek Manufacturing in Gardena, Calif.
"Up to now, the F-35 has existed in a world of mathematical
formulas and three-dimensional electronic engineering diagrams.
Today it starts emerging as a real airplane," said Tom Burbage,
Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of the
F-35 program. "We're proud that these first big parts are being
produced by small- and veteran-owned businesses. They've proven
their ability to produce world-class components for the most
advanced multirole fighter in history."
Progressive's first part
was a major bulkhead for the F-35's wing section. H.M. Dunn kicked
off F-35 manufacturing with a forward fuselage radar bulkhead,
while Brek milled a center fuselage canopy shelf.
The partnering relationships that led to the initiation of F-35
manufacturing activities exemplify Lockheed Martin's commitment to
help its customers meet their defining moments.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. will assemble the F-35 at its
mile-long factory in Fort Worth. Major subassemblies will be
completed by Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems in El Segundo and
Palmdale, Calif., and by BAE SYSTEMS in Salmesbury, England. The
finished subassembly modules will then be shipped to Fort Worth for
final assembly.
The first F-35 is scheduled for completion in mid-2005, with
first flight planned for late that year.
Veteran-owned Progressive Inc., specializes in profile milling
of complex aluminum and titanium parts used in the manufacture of
military and commercial aircraft. The company was founded in 1971
with the purchase of equipment from a small two-man shop in
Arlington. In 1983, Progressive purchased the assets of a competing
company and created a single corporation with 100 employees.
H.M. Dunn Co. Inc., is a privately held engineering and
manufacturing company with an advanced machine shop featuring a
diverse assortment of three-, four- and five-axis computer
numerically control machines specializing in serving the commercial
and military aerospace industry. Over the past 29 years, the
company has grown from a 4,800-square-foot building to the current
62,000-square-foot facility.
The F-35 is a stealthy, supersonic multirole fighter designed to
replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. Three
variants derived from a common design will ensure F-35 meets the
performance needs of the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and
allied defense forces worldwide, while staying within strict
affordability targets.
The F-35 will offer
capability that is superior to all current-generation fighter
aircraft. It will enable unprecedented levels of interoperability
and international cooperation. Among the aircraft that the F-35
will replace are the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16, F/A-18 and the
United Kingdom's Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier.
Nine nations are partnering in the F-35's System Development and
Demonstration phase: The United States, United Kingdom, Italy, the
Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Australia.
Additionally, Israel has agreed to join the program as a
Security Cooperation Participant.
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