Northrop Grumman Corporation has entered a long-term agreement with the advanced composites manufacturer Terma A/S in Denmark to manufacture component parts for the international F-35 Lightning II program.
The agreement, which has a potential value of more than $97 million upon completion of all follow-on options, was signed on Sept. 20. It further strengthens the partnership between Northrop Grumman and Terma A/S, which began in 2006, and emphasises the commitment of Northrop Grumman to supporting F-35 Lightning II partner countries.
Terma A/S will work on 34 unique F-35 Lightning II composite components, including door, panel, skin assembly and straps through 2019.The first purchase order placed in 2007 during the Low Rate Initial Production 1 statement of work solidified the collaborative relationship between Northrop Grumman and Terma A/S, which has manufacturing responsibility for hardware on all three F-35 aircraft variants.
The LTA signing has spurred discussions on how Northrop Grumman and Terma A/S can collaborate on affordability initiatives benefitting both companies and the F-35 program as a whole. The companies will explore technologies, set a path forward to achieve manufacturing efficiencies to meet rigorous quality requirements and work toward establishing Terma A/S as a premier supplier of composite parts.
“The LTA with Terma A/S further strengthens our relationship with Denmark, an F-35 partner country,” said Michelle Scarpella, vice president of the F-35 program for Northrop Grumman. “Under this agreement, we will continue to work collaboratively with Terma, striving for the highest quality and driving efficiencies so we are able to provide the warfighter with the world’s most advanced strike fighter aircraft.”
As a principal member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 industry team, Northrop Grumman performs a significant share of the work required to develop and produce the aircraft. In addition to producing the F-35 center fuselage, Northrop Grumman designed and produces the aircraft’s radar and other key avionics including electro-optical and communications subsystems; develops mission systems and mission-planning software; leads the team’s development of pilot and maintenance training system courseware; and manages the team’s use, support and maintenance of low-observable technologies.
According to Northrop Grumman, to date, the company has delivered every center fuselage on time and continues to meet its cost and schedule commitments. In 2011, the company delivered 22 center fuselages and is on track to deliver 32 center fuselages this year. It will make its 100th delivery in early 2013.
Appointment
Campbell joined the company in 1985 and has held a number of leadership positions in manufacturing, operations and program management. She led several initiatives for continuous improvement of manufacturing processes. She previously served as deputy program manager and director of the company’s F-35 Lightning II radar program and was production manager for the Wedgetail airborne early warning and control radar program. Most recently, Campbell served as director of bomber radar programs in the company’s Global Sensor Solutions business area.
In her new position, Campbell will have executive responsibility for all Marine Systems programs and products and provide executive leadership for Northrop Grumman’s Sunnyvale campus. The Marine Systems business unit is a leading provider of marine propulsion, power generation, and missile launching and handling systems.
