Thu, Feb 08, 2007
TAI To Build F-35 Center Fuselages -- Up To $3 Billion
Worth
ANN has learned Northrop Grumman ISS
International (NGISS) has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with
Tusas Aerospace Industries of Turkey (TAI) to build F-35 center
fuselage assemblies under the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
The announcement came during the official JSF signing ceremony held
on Wednesday in Ankara, Turkey.
Turkey joined the multi-national consortium to build the F-35 on
January 30 joining The Netherlands, Canada, Australia, the United
Kingdom and the United States.
During the Ceremony, organized under by the Turkish government,
the TAI Chairman of the Board Turkish Major General (Retired) Hasan
Peker Gunal and General Manager Mr. Muharrem Dortkasli signed the
LOI, which was then signed by Northrop Grumman Sector Vice
President for Tactical Systems and F-35 Program Manager Mr. Janis
G. Pamiljans on behalf of NGISS.
Northrop Grumman, a principal member of the Lockheed Martin F-35
Lighting II Team, is responsible for designing and manufacturing of
the center fuselage for F-35 aircraft. With the LOI, TAI will
become the second source for the assemblies. The number of center
fuselages TAI will produce is contingent on the number of F-35s
Turkey will eventually purchase, the number of F-35s to be produced
worldwide. The LOI represents a potential value in excess of $3
billion dollars.
Aside from the considerable monetary gains under the agreement,
TAI hopes to achieve technological expertise in the following
areas:
- High precision advanced technology composite part production,
high level digital integration between design and production
period
- Robotic controlled drilling, cutting and integration
processes
- Fiber placement techniques with automatic machining for
sophisticated structures
- Composite and metal bonding techniques by using high
technology
- Robotic controlled precise coating and painting
applications
- High standard quality applications required for 5th generation
fighter aircraft
The LOI signifies the start of what TAI hopes to be a
20-year-long partnership with Northrop Grumman leading to further
work beyond the F-35 program. The company says it will contribute
to its country's economy by employing some 500 engineers and
technicians over the next two decades.
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