WIll Produce Engine Servovalves
HR Textron, based in Santa Clarita (CA) says it's been awarded a
contract from Hamilton Sundstrand to provide Dual Vane Pump
Servovalves to F135 Engine for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter. Hamilton Sundstrand is a key member of the Pratt
& Whitney (P&W)-led F135 Development Team and is
responsible for providing the controls and the gearbox to the F135.
This program covers the System Design and Development (SDD) phase
from 2004 to 2007, with an option for the production phase
estimated at $29 million over 24 years. The first prototype unit
delivery is planned for November 2004.
The servovalve controls the output pressure of the engine
hydraulic pumping system. This system is tasked with providing the
muscle power to the engine actuation systems.
"We are truly proud to be selected as a part of the F135 Joint
Strike Fighter team and to provide our industry-leading servovalves
for such a technologically advanced engine," said Frank Tempesta,
senior vice president, Textron Systems. "The JSF program is the
Department of Defense's focal point for defining affordable next
generation strike aircraft weapon systems, and we are pleased to
work with this team of innovative leaders."
Joe Klocko, vice president, Aircraft Products and Turret
Controls at HR Textron, indicates, "This has been a highly
competitive award, and we are pleased to have been selected by
Hamilton Sundstrand as their partner on this important new program.
This win validates our approach for providing customers with a
high-value solution to their servovalve needs, and it expands our
existing relationship with Hamilton Sundstrand.
Lockheed Martin is developing the JSF F-35 in conjunction with
its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE
Systems. The F-35 advances stealth technology by greatly reducing
the maintenance required for low-observable materials upkeep, and
by bringing stealth out of the realm of specialized night missions
and into round-the-clock service. Information fusion, dramatically
increased unrefueled range, precision all-weather targeting, and
reduced reliance on support personnel and equipment are among the
capabilities combined into a single strike fighter for the first
time.
The F135 Propulsion System Team consists of P&W, the prime
contractor with responsibility for the propulsion system and system
integration for all variants; Hamilton Sundstrand, provider of the
F135's control system, external accessories and gearbox; and
Rolls-Royce, providing the Rolls-Royce LiftFan, 3 Bearing Swivel
Module and Roll Posts to the STOVL (Short Take-Off/Vertical
Landing) F-35B. The technologically advanced F135 has evolved from
the highly acclaimed F119 engine powering the F/A-22 Raptor.