Fokker Aerospace Group contract from Northrop Grumman for development of In-flight Opening Doors extended by US$ 16 million
25 May 2005
Total JSF orders for Fokker increase from $125 to more than $140 million
EL SEGUNDO (California, USA)/ NAARDEN - Today Northrop Grumman Corporation (California, USA) has signed contracts with Fokker Aerospace Group to extend the existing order for the development and prototype production of various In-flight Opening Doors for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The existing contract with a value of US$ 55 million has now been extended by US$ 16 million to a total of US$ 71 million. This means the total value of JSF orders for which Fokker Aerospace Group is responsible has risen to more than US$ 140 million. Herewith total value of JSF orders for the Dutch aerospace industry rises to US$ 228 million.
The extension of the engineering contract relates to extra work to optimise the development process and applies for the rest of 2005. Fokker Aerospace Group has approached Dutch engineering firms for possible participation in this new part of the contract, which is worth approximately 25% of the contract value realised in the Netherlands.
The JSF has more than 20 doors and hatches, that are subject to extreme demands during operation of the aircraft. They must be able to be opened and closed at high speeds and under extreme conditions (heat, cold), even after decades of operation. Fokker meets these demands with state-of-the-art design and production technologies and the use of advanced materials. The work will be carried out by Fokker Aerostructures in Hoogeveen and Papendrecht (the Netherlands), as well as in Fort Worth (Texas, USA) and El Segundo (California, USA).
Other contributions by Fokker Aerospace Group to the JSF project relate to the design and prototype production of the electrical wiring systems for the F-35, wiring and structural components for the Pratt & Whitney engines and the edges and movable control surfaces of the aircraft's wing and tail sections.
"The F-35's unique blend of revolutionary and evolutionary technology from across the globe presents armed forces with the best combination of performance and price," said Janis Pamiljans, Northrop Grumman vice president and F-35 program manager. "With development well underway, Northrop Grumman will continue to leverage the expertise of the program's international partners to help build an air system with unprecedented levels of interoperability for domestic and coalition forces."
Erick Vink, Executive Vice-President JSF at Fokker Aerospace Group: "We are proud to have won this further extension of our partnership with Northrop Grumman in the JSF project. By involving Dutch engineering firms the Dutch aerospace cluster together we will be able to realise an innovative contribution to the JSF project, which strengthens its position."
Fokker Aerospace Group develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aviation and aerospace industry, and supplies integrated services and products to aircraft owners and operators. The group achieved a turnover of € 495 million in 2004 with 3,182 employees out of the total Stork turnover of €1.82 billion.
Press information:
Stork N.V.
Dick Kors
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