18 total to be delivered by end of 2016
Lockheed Martin and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) marked the delivery of the 10th F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Outer Wing ship-set by IAI to Lockheed Martin at a ceremony at the Farnborough International Air Show. Attending the ceremony were Orlando Carvalho, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company; Joshua Shani, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Israel; George Standridge, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development, Lockheed Martin; Rafi Maor, IAI’s Chairman of the Board; Joseph Weiss, president and CEO of IAI and Shaul Shahar, Executive Vice President and GM, IAI Military Aircraft Group.
IAI has produced and delivered to Lockheed Martin 10 Outer Wing sets so far, and plans to deliver a total of 18 sets by the end of 2016. IAI is scheduled to produce a total of 811 pairs of F-35A wings, with a potential value of over $2 billion, by 2034.
Following execution of the initial contract in 2014, IAI inaugurated a state-of-the-art F-35 wing production line, investing in the automated systems, advanced infrastructure and technologies necessary to meet the aircraft’s innovative design. The production line meets all of the customer’s quality targets, including zero FOD (Foreign Objects Debris). The wings’ upper and lower skins are made of composite materials, unique to the F-35. IAI is currently investing in infrastructure and machinery to manufacture the skins and other metallic parts in-house.
IAI’s LAHAV Division is renowned for its extensive experience and knowledge in producing wings for the F-16 and T-38 aircraft, as well as aero-structure assemblies for other aircraft and customers.
“Israel Aerospace Industries is a key supplier to the F-35 supply chain – delivering a quality product, on schedule and on cost – helping the F-35 enterprise deliver affordable security capabilities to all of our customers. Lockheed Martin greatly values our long-standing relationship with IAI and we look forward to their continued performance on this program,” said Orlando Carvalho, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Executive Vice President.”
Joseph Weiss, IAI’s President and CEO: “Our partnership with Lockheed Martin is strategic for IAI, and constitutes an acknowledgment and expression of faith by Lockheed Martin and the US government in IAI’s capabilities as a global industry leader. We are extremely proud to deliver the 10th wing set and believe that this cooperation will continue to be strengthened in the future.”
