Fokker signs contracts for F-35 landing gear doors, braces

Papendrecht, Netherlands – Fokker Technologies, a division of GKN Aerospace, has an agreement with Northrop Grumman Corp. to deliver the in-flight opening doors for the F-35 Lightning II (JSF). The contract is valued at approximately $106 million.

 

Under this agreement, Fokker will be responsible for the manufacture of the in-flight opening doors for the next batch of aircraft in low rate initial production lots 10 and 11.

 

This agreement continues the very successful current arrangement through the previous low rate initial production lots, with potential opportunities to continue for the full rate production phases. This agreement reaffirms Fokker’s position as a strategic supplier in the F-35 program and helps secure skilled specialist work at Fokker Technologies in Hoogeveen and Papendrecht (Netherlands) and its supply base over the coming years.

 

“We are very pleased with the success of our long-term relationship with Northrop Grumman. We are especially proud that our successful co-operation in the F-35 program was recognized by awarding contracts for the next F-35 production batches. This also emphasizes the success of the F-35 JSF industrial participation in the Netherlands,” said Hans Büthker, CEO of Fokker Technologies. “The enthusiasm of Fokker Technologies employees about our contribution to the F-35 and the teamwork with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin is enormous. The agreements demonstrate the willingness, trust, and commitment of our partners to use our unique capabilities and services.”

 

“Fokker has been an outstanding supplier to Northrop Grumman’s F-35 program for many years,” said Brian Chappel, vice president and F-35 program manager, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “They have consistently responded rapidly to design changes, provided the tools and people needed to support program growth, and delivered their products on time.”

 

Fokker Technologies has been a part of the F-35 program since 2002 and has produced and delivered electrical wiring interconnection systems, flaperons, in-flight opening doors, engine parts, and arresting gear for F-35 aircraft that are currently flying and in production. 

 

Fokker Technologies also announced the follow-on development contract for the composite drag brace of the F-35 landing gear from UTAS (United Technologies Aerospace Systems). The contract continues the design and development for the qualification of the polymer matrix composite (PMC) landing gear drag brace for F-35 conventional take-off/landing (CTOL) and short take-off/vertical landing (STOVL) variants. UTAS is the exclusive landing gear system supplier and integrator for the F-35 aircraft.

 

Fokker Technologies’ role will encompass component design, development, qualification and hardware manufacture. These efforts will be conducted by a specialist Fokker Technologies team in Helmond, the Netherlands. UTAS will perform system-level design and integration in its Cleveland, Ohio, and Ft. Worth, Texas landing gear facilities. 

 

In March 2015 Fokker Technologies and the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) opened a pilot plant in Marknesse, Netherlands, where the composite drag brace qualification hardware will be produced in a fully automated facility.

 

Compared to the metallic brace equivalent, using PMC materials will result in reduced weight, and lower costs over the life of the F-35. The new design will qualify the common PMC brace used on both the CTOL and STOVL variants.