Quickstep gets closer to JSF manufacturing contract

Australian advanced materials company Quickstep Holdings has taken another key step towards securing manufacturing contracts under the international Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program, announcing that it has signed a Manufacturing License Agreement (MLA) with global security company Northrop Grumman Corporation, a subcontractor to Lockheed Martin in the design and manufacture of the centre fuselage for the F-35 JSF aircraft.

Quickstep signed an MOU with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman in November 2009 to finalise a Long Term Agreement for the manufacture of up to A$700 million worth of contracts for JSF.

The signing of this MLA provides Northrop Grumman with export approval from the USDepartment of State to begin transferring to Quickstep technical information necessary for the manufacture of the parts to be produced under the MOU.

Under the terms of the MOU, Quickstep would supply 21 different F-35 components.

The parts would then be exported to the US for incorporation into F-35s globally.

The manufacturing program is planned to last between 20 and 30 years and generate annual turnover of up to $50 million by 2015.

Preparations for the start of manufacturing are progressing in line with the timetable agreed to with Northrop Grumman, with Quickstep proceeding well with the employment of new key staff members and the acquisition of necessary equipment to be able to commence production as planned in 2012.

Preparation for parts and process qualification prior to production is also proceeding on schedule.

Commenting on the announcement, Quickstep Chief Executive Philippe Odouard said: “The signing of this Manufacturing License Agreement will establish an essential transfer of data between Quickstep and Northrop Grumman to enable Quickstep to complete the final preparations for the planned signing of the Long Term Agreement for F-35 manufacturing in the second quarter of 2010. This is a key step for Quickstep along the road to aerospace manufacturing.”