18 Jun 2007 | Ref. 172/2007
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Delivery of first vertical tails of the F-35 Lightning II STOVL variant
Samlesbury, United Kingdom. - BAE Systems has celebrated the delivery of the first vertical tails of the F-35 Lightning II short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant to industry partner, Lockheed Martin in the US.
The STOVL variant is the second of three variants of the F-35 Lightning II, and has been identified by the UK Government as the preferred replacement for its Harrier aircraft when it goes out of service.
The delivery of the vertical tails will be followed by the delivery of the horizontal tails later in the month. The aft fuselage for the first STOVL aircraft was delivered in April and will shortly be ‘mated’ to the centre fuselage.
It represents a major milestone in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the F-35 programme as progress on manufacturing and assembly of the first STOVL aircraft, BF-1, is made ahead of its first flight in 2008.
Speaking as the tails were packaged ready for their journey to Lockheed Martin’s plant in Fort Worth, Texas, BAE Systems’ F-35 Lightning II managing director Tom Fillingham said: “I am delighted that we have delivered the vertical tails to Lockheed Martin on time.
“As a business, BAE Systems offers industry leading facilities and capabilities. These facilities and capabilities are matched with the same standard of expertise of our people. We bring valuable experience to the F-35 programme due to our rich heritage of STOVL aircraft from the Harrier programme as well as advanced lean manufacturing technology from our facilities in the UK.”
The BAE Systems team managed an industry first with the structure and carbon skin components for the tails. They were produced for the first time on independent machines, and involved the drilling of 800 separate holes which proved a “perfect match” when they were fitted.
BAE Systems’ builds the aft fuselage and empennage – vertical and horizontal tails – for the F-35 Lightning II. Along with the airframe BAE Systems leads the development of crew escape, life support, the fuel system and prognostics health management integration.
Three versions of the F-35 Lightning II are planned: a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) and a carrier variant (CV). Each is derived from a common design, and will ensure that the F-35 Lightning II meets the performance needs of the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, and allied defence forces worldwide, while staying within strict affordability targets.
Background/history:
BAE Systems is teamed with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to deliver the F-35 Lightning II - the world’s largest defence programme.
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), will be the world’s first and only stealthy, supersonic, multi-role fighter. The F-35 is being developed for the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16 and the F/A-18 Hornet and for the UK’s Royal Air Force and Royal Navy to replace the Harrier and Sea Harrier.
Three variants of the aircraft are in development and feature a high degree of commonality. Each variant is being tailored to meet the unique requirements of US and UK services. The variants are: a conventional takeoff and landing aircraft (CTOL) for the U.S. Air Force; a short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) variant for the U.S. Marine Corps and the UK; and a carrier takeoff and landing (CV) aircraft for the U.S. Navy. Current stated requirements from initial customers are for approximately 3,000 aircraft.
The F-35 programme is currently in the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase, which will see the production of 21 test aircraft. Fifteen F-35s will undergo flight test, and six will be used for static testing. Another high-fidelity full-scale model F-35 will validate the aircraft’s radar signature. The first flight of the first F-35 aircraft, a preproduction conventional takeoff and landing variant, took place on 15 December 2006.
Capabilities:
BAE Systems is a key partner on the F-35 programme and brings military aircraft expertise that is critical to the F-35 Lightning II airframe and systems.
The aft fuselage and empennage for each F-35 Lightning II are being designed, manufactured and assembled by BAE Systems, setting new standards for assembly precision and pace. Digital design and precision manufacturing techniques pioneered by BAE Systems ensure the F-35 meets its demanding stealth requirements. During full-rate production, assembly time for an F-35 is expected to be less than half that of current generation fighters.
BAE Systems is also responsible for the design and delivery of key areas of the vehicle and mission systems, including the fuel system, crew escape and life support system as well as Prognostics Health Management (PHM) integration and UK aircraft carrier integration support. BAE Systems also brings key expertise to Autonomic Logistics and Global Sustainment (support), UK weapons integration, vehicle and mission systems, flight sciences and structural testing.
An extension to the teaming agreement signed by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin at Farnborough International 2006 sets out BAE Systems Military Air Solutions role in the sustainment phase of the programme. BAE Systems is playing a vital role in developing the F-35 global sustainment business model and will lead sustainment activities for the UK fleet on behalf of the F-35 Team.
The System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase is estimated to be worth more than $2.5bn to BAE Systems Military Air Solutions and future production contracts could total $25bn. These figures do not include export sales, support or other opportunities such as upgrade programmes.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 88,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £13.7 billion pounds sterling (US25.4 billion dollars) in 2006.
For more information, please contact
John Neilson, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384795 Mob: + 44 (0)7802 337704
john.neilson@baesystems.com
Helen Stansfield, BAE Systems
Tel: +44- (0)1772 856311 Mob: +44-(0)7793 420 714
helen.stansfield@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
www.baesystems.com
