2017-10-15 The F-35 manufacturing and supply chain approach has been to drive innovation from design to production to sustainment and to do so throughout the global enterprise.
A case in point is the Danish firm Terma.
According to an article published on October 13, 210 on Evertiq:
Danish manufacturer Terma has ben involved in the F-35 program for about 15 years now. During this time the company has invested heavily in making Terma in Grenaa a strong player for the production of carbon fiber and composite aerostructures.
In a press release the Terma states that the company has entered into contracts on eight additional programs for the world’s largest defense industrial project, F-35 Lightning II, with Lockheed Martin as the main contractor.
And now; the company has marked another milestone as supplier to the F-35 program.
Since October 2015, the entire factory layout has been modified and optimised.
For example, the internal transport distances have been reduced by 50%.
A new bonding facility has been established in a new 4’000 square meter factory building. In this facility, the “raw” carbon fiber materials are cut – by laser positioning equipment – and laid up in tools and prepared to be cured in one of three major autoclaves.
To ensure the right quality, all parts are subsequently scanned in the newly acquired 5-axis ultrasound scanner.
A new large tool storage area has also been established as well as a new automatic cold store for raw materials.
Further, the capacity for the manufacturing of aerostructures has doubled with the investments in new machining centers (Precision Milling Machines) and high-precision measuring equipment.
The company has also recruited about. 80 new employees.
By 2021, when F-35 production reaches full-rate production of approximately 150 aircraft per year, total staff is expected to have increased by 130-150 to almost 500 employees, the company writes.