Australian industry building global Joint Strike Fighter capability

Victorian based company, Marand, is one of the leading Australian suppliers on the F-35 JSF program providing the vertical tail component for the F-35 JSF aircraft which are being built at Lockheed Martin’s manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas.

Australia’s JSF Division Director of Strategy and Industry, Ms Alison Petchell, said this milestone demonstrated the diversity and quality of Australian based industries.

“This is an excellent example of an innovative Australian industry providing an effective, value for money solution for the global joint strike fighter program,” said Ms Petchell.

“Australian industry has so far won $433 million worth of production and development work from the JSF program,” she said.

Defence has estimated that Australian companies could win at least $1.5 billion in the JSF production and sustainment over the life of the program.

Marand is one of 23 Australian industries so far currently participating in the global production and sustainment of the JSF fleet.

“Defence is working with Australian industry to maximise the potential economic benefit of this program,” said Ms Petchell.

“To enable great outcomes for industry, we are striving to increase participation of Australian companies who can provide tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of the JSF program,” she said.

Marand Chief Executive Officer, Rohan Stocker said he is proud of the team.

“It is wonderful to see our Vertical Tails on a finished F-35.  I am very proud of the team at Marand and thankful for the support of our customers BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin,” said Mr Stocker. 

“We have had F-35 contracts every year since 2002 in no small part due to the support of Australia’s JSF Division and the wider Defence organisation.  We are very excited about the upcoming first flight of AF-73,” he said.

BAE Systems Australia is providing titanium components and Quickstep is in the process of being qualified to providing composite components for the F-35 Vertical Tails.

Australia has committed to 72 F-35A JSF aircraft, which will provide Australia with a fifth generation aircraft at the forefront of air combat technology.

The first two Australian F-35 JSF aircraft were delivered to the International Pilot Training Centre at Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, Arizona in December last year. The first Australian pilot has qualified on the F-35 after completing JSF flying training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

The introduction of the F-35 JSF is part of a broader plan to transform Air Force into an integrated fifth generation fighting force for the future.

Source:  DMO Comms