GKN Fokker and Lockheed Martin collaborating on F-35
At the roll-out of the first operational Dutch F-35 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, GKN Fokker and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics confirmed - via a protocol document - the continuation of GKN Fokkers efforts on manufacturing Flaperons, Inflight Opening Doors (IFOD), Arresting Gear, and Electrical Wiring and Interconnection Systems (EWIS) for the F-35.
Production will take place at GKN Fokker’s sites in The Netherlands and Turkey with delivery taking place over the next five years.
The protocol document was signed by Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of F-35 Supply Chain Management, Drew Ruiz and by GKN Fokker’s CEO John Pritchard.
State Secretary of Economic Affairs Mona Keijzer, Royal Netherlands Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Lt. Gen. Dennis Luyt, and the Netherlands’ Special Envoy for industrial participation, Maxime Verhagen all attended the ceremony.
GKN Fokker has been a valued supplier on the F-35 programme since 2002 and has produced and delivered the flaperons, inflight opening doors (IFOD), arresting gear and designed and produced the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) for all F-35 aircraft that are currently flying and in production.
Commenting Chief Executive, John Pritchard said: “We are excited to be able to announce today, on the roll-out event of the Dutch F-35, that GKN Fokker has once again been selected to deliver Flaperons, Inflight Opening Doors (IFOD), and Electrical Wiring and Interconnection Systems (EWIS) for the F-35 aircraft that will be manufactured in the next five years.
"Our deliveries have supported over 350 F-35s and we are proud to be a part of Lockheed Martin’s tradition of aerospace leadership and innovation, and to contribute to one of the largest and technologically most advanced aircraft programs in the world. With a total estimated production of more than 3,000 F-35 aircraft, this is a major opportunity for our company in the decades to come in terms of employment, knowledge and innovation.”
Netherlands’ Special Envoy for industrial participation, Maxime Verhagen said: ”This showcases the success of the Netherlands international participation program for the F-35, on which we can continue to build in the next 30 years. F-35 has created long-term employment for thousands of skilled technical employees in the aerospace industry. Dutch industry has already been awarded €1.5 billion of production orders. This amount will grow significantly in the years to come. The upcoming sustainment phase of the F-35 will offer a unique opportunity for our industry to position itself as the partner of choice for sustainment orders.”