Fri, Oct 09, 2009
Composite And Titanium In Wing Component Increases Strength And
Saves Weight
Lockheed Martin has selected Stork Fokker to produce the
flaperons for the F-35 Lightning II. The contract extends from 2009
to the end of 2014 with an estimated value of $200 million. The
order could exceed US $1.0 billion over the life of the
program.
Flaperons are control surfaces on the wings’ trailing edge
that combine the functions of both flaps and ailerons. The
F-35’s flaperons are 9 foot long flaps on the wing trailing
edges which are vital for the controllability of the aircraft. The
unique design is based on the low maintenance combination of
composite and titanium with a better resistance to fatigue and
corrosion. The flaperons contribute to improved aircraft
performance by saving weight and increasing strength at the same
time. Stork Fokker has already manufactured more than 2000 sets of
flaperons for the Lockheed Martin F-16. Production of the F-16
components started in 1978 and is still going on today.
The selection for production is a very important step in winning
the order to supply the flaperons for all the F-35 aircraft to be
built. This initial order will provide employment for around 100
people, a figure that will be doubled if the total production order
is received. Production will be in the Netherlands, initially in
the existing Stork Fokker factory in Hoogeveen, and will later be
transferred to the new F-35 factory which is to be built.
“This selection is an excellent achievement and shows that
the Netherlands is able to win substantial JSF orders”, says
Erick Vink, executive vice president of Stork Fokker. “An
important condition is and remains that the Netherlands
participates in the JSF project, as shown by the recent de facto
purchase of the first test aircraft.”
Other contributions by Stork Aerospace to the JSF project
include the design and production of the doors and hatches, the
electrical wiring harnesses, the wiring and structural components
for the Pratt & Whitney engines and the arresting gear. Stork
has up to now involved forty suppliers in the Netherlands in these
JSF orders, and this number is expected to increase further when
the serial production phase starts.
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