The first F-35 Lightning II to feature Australian-made vertical tails has rolled out of Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth facility.
Built by Melbourne-based manufacturing company Marand, the vertical tails are on an F-35 AF-73, which emerged from Lockheed Martin’s aircraft final finishes facility on April 29.
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“We are proud of this incredible milestone for our team and for the work our company has done to establish a unique capability in the field of aerostructures manufacturing,” Marand chief executive Rohan Stocker said in a statement.
“Our work not only serves the Australian Defence industry, but also creates high technology Australian jobs.”
Lockheed Martin said in a statement on May 12 it was one of the largest manufacturing projects for the Australian F-35 program, with 722 ship sets planned.
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BAE Systems contracted the work on the vertical tails to Marand, which is the largest Australian supplier on the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter program. Marand is also the global sole source of the F-35 engine removal and installation trailer.
Maurice Duffill
says:Very encouraging; I just hope that Marand are being amply rewarded financially such that the contract is sustainable.
Raymond
says:Is Marand involved with the stealth know-how, or is this done after delivery?