Mon, May 09, 2011
Production Will More Than Double From Three To Eight Ship Sets
Per Month
ATK has received a $110 million contract from Lockheed Martin
to produce composite components for low rate initial production
(LRIP) Lots 5 through 9 of the F-35 Lightning II – Joint
Strike Fighter. The contract includes production of multiple
components through the LRIP 9 phase of the program.
Under the terms of the contract, ATK will use advanced hand
lay-up processing techniques to manufacture upper fixed aft skins
for both the carrier variant (CV) and short-take off/vertical
landing (STOVL) variant, upper access covers on the CV and
conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant, and the upper
access center covers for the STOVL variant. Production will take
place at ATK's Clearfield, Utah facility beginning in 2011
continuing through 2015.
"This contract award confirms our commitment to providing
Lockheed Martin with the highest quality composite structures
affordably and on time," said Joy de Lisser, Vice President and
General Manager of the Aerospace Structures division of ATK
Aerospace Systems.
ATK began F-35 production in October 2002 with a System Design
and Development contract for 19 ship sets of the one-piece, 35-foot
composite upper wing skin. The company has delivered over 850 wing
skin components to date through LRIP Lot 4. During this contract
the company will increase production rates from three ship sets per
month to more than eight ship sets per month.
In addition to this contract award, ATK manufactures several
other composite structures for the F-35, including the seven-piece
upper wing skin, lower wing skins, engine nacelle skins, inlet
ducts, and the upper wing strap using both automated fiber
placement and hand lay-up techniques. ATK's composite manufacturing
expertise has contributed to the F-35 since the development phase
of the program.
More News
Newest USAF Drone Begins Process in Earnest The YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft has begun its flight testing in coordination with the U.S. Air Force, taking a vital step towa>[...]
“What a great moment for the U.S. Air Force and for GA-ASI. It’s been our collaboration that enabled us to build and fly the YFQ-42A in just over a year. It’s an >[...]
Airline Pilots Jettisoned 15,000 Pounds of Fuel Over Populated Areas Five years after one of its Boeing 777s dumped 15,000 pounds of jet fuel onto neighborhoods, Delta Air Lines ha>[...]
GAO Report Says that Only 69 Aviation Meteorologists Work Alongside ATC A federal watchdog says the FAA is running the nation’s air traffic system with fewer weather experts >[...]
Also: 500-Aircraft Deal With China, Florida ANG's F-35, FAA Denies Petition, UC Central Arkansas Aviation Academy The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is offering its apologies t>[...]
YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft Starts Flight Testing
See All