IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. announces that Lockheed Martin has issued IBC a second contract to produce components for the F-35 Lightning II Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). This purchase order extends production of a component contract announced in September 2014, an EOTS azimuth gimbal housing manufactured using Beralcast®, the Company’s proprietary and high performance beryllium-aluminum casting alloy.
On July 13, 2015 IBC announced successful delivery of first article components for low rate initial production (LRIP) lots 7 and 8. This follow on purchase order is for subsequent LRIP years and will cover new planes and related spares and has a minimum contract value of more than $2 million. The EOTS, produced by Lockheed Martin, is integrated on all F-35 variants; planned production quantities are estimated to be over 3,000 aircraft with deliveries through 2035.
The quantity of components specified under this purchase order is approximately double that for LRIP lots 7 and 8 reflecting accelerated production of the F-35 Lightning II. First deliveries are scheduled for September 2015 when IBC will deliver near-net-shape castings directly to Lockheed Martin which will then separately contract for finishing and final machining. Lockheed Martin has agreed to a long lead time procurement provision for key materials to ensure continued production.
«We are delighted to receive another purchase order for the EOTS azimuth gimbal housing on the F-35 Lightning II,” said Anthony Dutton, CEO and President of IBC Advanced Alloys. “This continues our substantial progress with Lockheed Martin since our initial purchase order was announced in 2014. To date, Beralcast® proprietary beryllium-aluminum casting alloys have had validation from Lockheed Martin, and two other major aerospace companies,” continued Dutton, “and we look forward to continuing to work with the aerospace industry to provide Beralcast® solutions for complex aerospace applications where modulus and weight are key performance drivers.”
The F-35 Lightning II, a 5th generation fighter, combines advanced low observable stealth technology with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force, the F/A-18 for the U.S. Navy, the F/A-18 and AV-8B Harrier for the U.S. Marine Corps, and a variety of fighters for at least 10 other countries.
