Company Has Significant Experience In Variants Of The Same Airframe

ANN April 1 Special Edition

The U.S. Air Force has awarded a consulting contract to Richard VanGrunsven of Vans Aircraft for work on the F-35 Lightning II JSF program.

The company will assist prime contractor Lockheed Martin in fine-tuning the three variants of the JSF. Dr. William LaPlante, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) (SAF/AQ) said that VanGrunsven was chosen because of his company's experience in building variants of the same airplane. "Just take, for example, the RV-12," LaPlante said. "It's available as a kit or factory-built. Other Vans models come in conventional or tricycle gear configurations. Lockheed builds a great airplane, but seems to be having problems integrating the various specification needed by the three branches of the service. Vans knows how to make changes in an airplane and keep the costs down for the consumer. Heck, they're even called the 'Vans Air Force'. It just seemed like a natural fit."

Lockheed Martin officials would not comment on the contract.

The terms of the contract were undisclosed, but when contacted, VanGrunsven was obviously thrilled with the arrangement. "I'm on my way to the bank," he laughed.

Unnamed Pentagon sources said that Vans would not actually be involved in the manufacturing of the F-35, but would offer technical advice about how to cost-effectively make the various changes in the airplane to fit its multiple missions. "This is a win-win for the warfighter and the American taxpayer," the source said. "We know in the end we'll wind up with a more versatile airplane the pilots will love."

(Images Photoshopped by Nathan Cremisino)

FMI: www.vansaircraft.com