Elbit Systems' Cyclone subsidiary has secured approval as a manufacturer on the qualified products list for Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The Israeli company is to deliver 16 unique components and assemblies for the type, including composite carbon-epoxy laminates and honeycomb sandwich panels. Announced earlier this month, theapprovals come following a series of successful qualification tests carried out by Lockheed as part of a seven-year agreement with Cyclone.
Production of the F-35 components forms part of an industrial co-operation agreement between Israel and the USA that was formalised following the approval of contract to acquire an initial 19 of the conventional take-off and landing JSF variant for the Israeli air force.
As part of the same bilateral agreement, Israel Aerospace Industries will manufacture 811 pairs of wings for the fifth-generation stealth aircraft. The work will begin at an IAI facility in 2015.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
