LONDON -- GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin have expanded their longtime partnership by signing a contract to increase production of bulkheads for the F-35 Lightning II program through 2023. The bulkheads are a critical structure for the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) model and the F-35C carrier variant (CV). According to GKN, the bulkheads require among the longest lead time of any F-35 part and are made from some of the largest titanium forgings of any aircraft.
GKN Aerospace currently provides the F-35 with various engine components, electrical wiring interconnection systems, the cockpit canopy, and composite aerostructures. It also holds contracts to deliver the aircraft's in-flight opening doors and landing gear drag brace, and maintains and services the landing gear for the F-35 fleet in Europe and the Pacific.
Mike McCann, CEO of GKN Aerostructures and Systems, North America, commented, "GKN has a strong relationship with Lockheed Martin and a history of partnering with them to support the F-35 program and the warfighter effort. Our dedicated employees worked very hard to demonstrate that GKN has a proven ability to deliver high-quality parts on time. In addition, collaborative engineering efforts between GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin enabled us to maximize efficiencies to help reduce unit prices within the contract and support cost reductions."
The contract will be fulfilled at the GKN Aerospace Monitor Inc facility in Amityville, New York, and the GKN Aerospace Precision Machining Inc facility in Wellington, Kansas.
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