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.

FMI: www.systems.textron.com