Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne has joined Rockwell Collins Australia at its facility in Sydney to witness the production of its 100th optical assembly for the electro-optical AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for the F-35 Lightning II.
Rockwell Collins Australia expects to produce more than 7,000 of these assemblies across the life of the Joint Strike Fighter program, representing at least 40 per cent of global production, Minister Pyne said in a statement on Thursday.
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Developed by Northrop Grumman, the DAS is a 360-degree situational awareness system that is intended to warn of incoming aircraft and missile threats, as well as providing day/night vision, fire-control capability and precision tracking of friendly aircraft for tactical manoeuvring.
“In addition to this contribution, Rockwell Collins Australia has successfully partnered with BAE Systems Australia and Northrop Grumman Australia for assignment of regional maintenance and repair responsibilities for some F-35 avionic components,” Minister Pyne said. “The company is also planning to increase its footprint to include a manufacturing capability for critical test equipment required by Australia and partner countries.”
Rockwell Collins Australia employs around 70 fulltime staff at its Australian base at Lane Cove where it provides a technical support base for repair, overhaul and equipment modifications.
“It is fantastic to be contributing to a globally significant project like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter which will underpin the defence capabilities of so many international air forces including our own,”
Rockwell Collins Australia managing director Nick Gibbs said.
“It is a tremendous feather in our cap and an endorsement of all the support we have received from the Federal Government and NSW Government so far.”
Paul
says:Hopefully it works.
Js
says:It does Paul. Otherwise it wouldnt be the 100th.
Paul
says:Js,there are a lot of components that have been made but still don’t work.