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.

FMI: www.tai.com.tr, www.northropgrumman.com