Northrop Grumman selects Fokker Aerospace Group for development of JSF In-flight Opening Doors

26-09-2003

Total value of JSF-orders Fokker Aerospace Group reaches $ 125 million

EL SEGUNDO (California, USA) / NAARDEN (The Netherlands) - Northrop Grumman Corporation (California, USA) yesterday selected Fokker Aerospace Group to develop and  produce various In-flight Opening Doors for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The work represents a value of $ 55 million.
Fokker was selected by Northrop Grumman Integrated Systems, a principle teammate on the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter team, for work during the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase extending through 2007. The Dutch government has invested $800 million in the program.
 
The Joint Strike Fighter 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).
 
In February 2003 Lockheed Martin awarded the order for the design and prototype production of the electrical wiring system for the F-35 to Fokker Aerospace Group. This order, for which the first four systems have now been delivered to Texas, represents a value of $ 57 million. It brings the total JSF contracts awarded so far to Fokker Aerospace Group to $ 125 million.
 
In addition, Fokker Aerospace Group is working on the wiring systems and structural components of the Pratt & Whitney engines and on the control surfaces and edges of the aircraft's wings and tail. 
 
"The selection of Fokker demonstrates Northrop Grumman's commitment to the F-35 program's strategy of incorporating international participation among partner countries on a best-value basis," said Steve Briggs, Northrop Grumman vice president and F-35 program manager. "Northrop Grumman's selection of Fokker further illustrates the potential and capabilities of Dutch industry to leverage its expertise and competitive advantages to this global program."
 
Erick Vink, Vice-President of Fokker Aerospace Group, said: "I am convinced that by applying  our engineering and prototype production skills to the F-35 JSF In-flight Opening Doors we will be able to add value to this challenging program. Furthermore we will be able to take a significant step forward in strengthening the role of the Netherlands as supplier of advanced aerospace technology, working in close cooperation with the Dutch aerospace cluster".
 
 
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