Anna Forrester
Lockheed Martin has tapped Netherlands-based Fokker Technologies to manufacture wing components for future F-35 jets through the end of 2017 for low-rate initial production lots 9 and 10.
Lockheed said Wednesday that Fokker will supply wing flaperons and outboard leading-edge flaps that aim to enable the F-35’s “controllability.”
These components are made of titanium and composite materials to deliver a fatigue- and corrosion-resistant design, the company added.
Jack Crisler, vice president for F-35 business development and strategy integration at Lockheed, and Fokker CEOÂ Hans Buthker signed a memorandum of understanding on the program.
“This order will secure employment for around 100 employees, a figure that will be doubled if the total production order is received,” said Buthker.
Maxime Verhagen, the Netherlands’ special envoy for industrial participation, noted that 28 Dutch companies plus subcontractors are involved in the F-35 program.
