Nov. 6, 2012
Northrop Grumman Corporation has entered a long-term agreement (LTA) with the advanced composites manufacturer Terma A/S in Denmark to manufacture component parts for the international F-35 Lightning II program.
The LTA, which has a potential value of more than $97 million upon completion of all follow-on options, was signed on Sept. 20 and further emphasizes the company’s commitment to supporting F-35 Lightning II partner countries.
The LTA covers production of 34 unique F-35 Lightning II composite components, including door, panel, skin assembly and straps through 2019. The LTA further strengthens the partnership between Northrop Grumman and Terma A/S, which began in 2006. 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.”