[Air Force Magazine] Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney have largely re-assigned manufacture of the 850 F-35 fighter parts made by Turkey to themselves and a few other US-based companies, with about 20 percent to be built by overseas partners, company officials said Nov. 13.
In testimony before the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee, Lockheed F-35 Vice President and General Manager Greg Ulmer said the majority of parts made by Turkey‐which is being drummed out of the F-35 program over that country’s purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system‐have been "re-sourced ... within the US supply chain." He later said the proportion is about 80 percent, with most of those to be built by Lockheed itself. Another 20 percent will be made by overseas partners who are already "making identical parts." He did not specify companies or items.
Matthew Bromberg, president of Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, which makes the F135 powerplant for the Lightning II, said a similar proportion of engine parts has been brought back in house at the company, with the rest of the work going to overseas partners.
"We’re not quite there, yet," Program Executive Officer Lt. Gen. Eric Fick testified. A new source is still being sought for 11 aircraft components and for "one integrated rotor" on the engine, he noted. |