Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) has signed a new agreement with Lockheed Martin worth $260 million for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program production lots 15-17.
The agreement includes delivery of the F-35 rudders, Vertical Leading Edges and Main Landing Gear Closeout panels for more than 500 aircraft. Production of these parts will continue through 2025.
“This latest contract is a reflection of Kongsberg’s long lasting partnership and support of the F-35 program,” Terje Bråthen, EVP Aerostructures at KDA, said. “The F-35 production program is now at full rate production and this contract secures work for the next four years, as well as positioning us for continued participation in future production lots.”
According to Lockheed Martin, Norwegian industry provides components including air-to-air pylons, rudder and vertical fin leading edges, carbon composite panels, and completed and coated horizontal and vertical tails to the global program. Eighteen Norwegian companies have served as Tier 1 F-35 suppliers with nine currently active.
In March last year, Norway’s F-35s were scrambled for the first time to intercept Russian maritime reconnaissance and ASW aircraft, which regularly conduct flights towards strategic maritime chokepoints in the North Atlantic.
Norway intends to operate a full fleet of 52 F-35s by 2025, which are a variant aircraft that includes a drag chute to assist in icy landings.