THE UK C-130J Industrial Support Group (ISG) which started life six years ago with an informal membership of just two companies, has received a significant shot in the arm with the announcement that a further 10 British aerospace firms are to join, swelling its ranks to 45.
The aim of the joint task force has been to harness the design, development and production skills of the companies involved to the benefit of the new -J.
Partnership
Orders worth almost $500million were won up to the end of 1996 by British firms as a result of the industrial partnership initiatives.
The $500million figure is $228million more than Lockheed Martin had estimated would be placed with British contractors by that date, after an order for 25 of the aircraft by Britain's Ministry of Defence in 1995.
The order book has since been expanded to cover business from Australia and the US Air Force and the 10-year forecast for orders to be placed in Britain is bright. Companies in the ISG are expected to share a slice of a potential $675million of work during that period.
"We are delighted with the ISG. It is a real success story of world-class aerospace companies working together in a mutually beneficial programme," says Bill Bullock, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems.
"The concept of partnering is smart business. We continue to seek the best qualified companies which are willing to share development costs."
Lockheed Martin is looking for other British companies to provide small structures and equipment for the Hercules programme, for the C-27J twin turboprop, the P-3 Orion and the new Raptor air superiority fighter.
Source: Flight Daily News
