Sat, Mar 07, 2009
Composite Parts To Be Used On First Production Jets
Turkish Aerospace Industries, a major supplier to Northrop
Grumman Corporation on the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program, has
produced and delivered its first composite parts for the jet.
Northrop says the new parts -- structural composite panels used
to form the outer surface of the new international, multi-role
fighter -- represent a critical first step in TAI's plans to
eventually produce 400 center fuselages for the program. Northrop
Grumman will integrate the parts into the center fuselages of the
first two production F-35s.
"This delivery represents two significant milestones for the
program," said Mark Tucker, vice president of tactical systems and
F-35 program manager for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems
sector. "It demonstrates that TAI can build composite parts to the
precision level needed for a high volume, international aircraft
program. And it gives Northrop Grumman a very positive progress
report on its commitment to grow and nurture international
industrial participation in the program."
According to Tucker, the composite panels also represent the
first F-35 parts produced in a new composites manufacturing
facility opened by TAI last November in Ankara, Turkey. To date,
Northrop Grumman has trained nearly two dozen TAI employees in the
high precision fabrication techniques being used in that
facility.
TAI's recent shipment included six composite panels - three for
each of the two jets being produced under the first phase of low
rate initial production. As part of its F-35 work share, the
company will produce similar composite panels for every jet made
during the production phase of the program.
Northrop Grumman is a principal and founding member of the
Lockheed Martin-led F-35 Lightning II team. The company is
responsible for the design and production of center fuselages for
all three variants of F-35 aircraft: conventional take-off and
landing; short take-off, vertical landing; and
carrier-compatible.
The F-35 Lightning II program expects to build more than 3,100
aircraft. Under a Letter of Intent signed with Northrop Grumman in
February 2007, TAI serves as a second source supplier of F-35
center fuselages to the company. Deliveries of complete
TAI-produced center fuselages are scheduled to begin during the low
rate initial production (LRIP) phases of the program.
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