MANUFACTURING BEGINS ON LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 AIRFRAME
10 November 2003
FORT WORTH, Texas
(Nov. 10, 2003) - Workers in Texas
and California have begun
fabricating the first major airframe
components for the F-35 Joint Strike
Fighter.
On Monday, Nov. 10, milling
machines at Progressive Inc., in
Arlington, Texas, and at H.M. Dunn
Co. Inc., in Euless, Texas, began
cutting "big-bone" structural
components for the supersonic
stealth fighter. Simultaneously,
Northrop Grumman Corp., a principal
teammate on the F-35 program,
started the milling process for
other major parts of the F-35 JSF's
airframe with its subcontractor Brek
Manufacturing in Gardena, Calif.
"Up to now, the F-35 has existed
in a world of mathematical formulas
and three-dimensional electronic
engineering diagrams. Today it
starts emerging as a real airplane,"
said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin
executive vice president and general
manager of the F-35 program. "We're
proud that these first big parts are
being produced by small and
veteran-owned businesses. They've
proven their ability to produce
world-class components for the most
advanced multirole fighter in
history."
Progressive's first part was a
major bulkhead for the F-35's wing
section. H.M. Dunn kicked off F-35
manufacturing with a forward
fuselage radar bulkhead, while Brek
milled a center fuselage canopy
shelf.
The partnering relationships that
led to the initiation of F-35
manufacturing activities exemplify
Lockheed Martin's commitment to help
its customers meet their defining
moments.
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co.
will assemble the F-35 at its
mile-long factory in Fort Worth.
Major subassemblies will be
completed by Northrop Grumman
Integrated Systems in El Segundo and
Palmdale, Calif., and by BAE SYSTEMS
in Salmesbury, England. The finished
subassembly modules will then be
shipped to Fort Worth for final
assembly.
The first F-35 is scheduled for
completion in mid-2005, with first
flight planned for late that year.
Veteran-owned Progressive Inc.,
specializes in profile milling of
complex aluminum and titanium parts
used in the manufacture of military
and commercial aircraft. The company
was founded in 1971 with the
purchase of equipment from a small
two-man shop in Arlington. In 1983,
Progressive purchased the assets of
a competing company and created a
single corporation with 100
employees.
H.M. Dunn Co. Inc., is a
privately held engineering and
manufacturing company with an
advanced machine shop featuring a
diverse assortment of three-, four-
and five-axis computer numerically
control machines specializing in
serving the commercial and military
aerospace industry. Over the past 29
years, the company has grown from a
4,800-square-foot building to the
current 62,000-square-foot facility.
The F-35 is a stealthy,
supersonic multirole fighter
designed to replace a wide range of
aging fighter and strike aircraft.
Three variants derived from a common
design will ensure F-35 meets the
performance needs of the U.S. Air
Force, Marine Corps, Navy and allied
defense forces worldwide, while
staying within strict affordability
targets.
The F-35 will offer capability
that is superior to all
current-generation fighter aircraft.
It will enable unprecedented levels
of interoperability and
international cooperation. Among the
aircraft that the F-35 will replace
are the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16,
F/A-18 and the United Kingdom's
Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier.
Nine nations are partnering in
the F-35's System Development and
Demonstration phase: The United
States, United Kingdom, Italy, the
Netherlands, Turkey, Canada,
Denmark, Norway and Australia.
Additionally, Israel has agreed
to join the program as a Security
Cooperation Participant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION Lockheed
Martin Aeronautics Co., a business
area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader
in the design, development, systems
integration, production and support
of advanced military aircraft and
related technologies. Its customers
include the military services of the
United States and allied countries
throughout the world. Products
include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF,
F-117, T-50, C-5, C-27J, C-130,
C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md.,
Lockheed Martin Corp. employs about
125,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research,
design, development, manufacture and
integration of advanced technology
systems, products and services. The
corporation reported 2002 sales of
$26.6 billion.
# # #
Media Contacts:
John R. Kent, 817-763-3980;
e-mail john.r.kent@lmco.com John A.
Smith, 817-763-4084; e-mail
john.a1.smith@lmco.com
For additional
information, visit our Web sites:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/
http://www.lmaeronautics.com/
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