F-35B vertical landing,
flaperons in use
(click to view full)

While Norway engages in high-stakes negotiations in order to improve its industrial share of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighterprogram, and is not sure whether it will even buy the plane in the end, the Netherlands is holding firm. Meanwhile, leading Dutch firm Stork Aerospace continues to pick up JSF-related orders.

In addition to existing contracts for design and (prototype) production of doors and hatches, the electrical aircraft wiring, the wiring and structural components for the Pratt & Whitney engines, the arresting gear, and special titanium machining processes for the F135 engine, JSF Prime Contractor Lockheed Martin has just selected Stork Aerospace for pre-production of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s flaperons. The selection represents a potential turnover value of at least US$ 170 million, spread over the period from 2009-2013.

“Flaperons”?!? DID explains…

The ‘flaperons’ (flaps + ailerons) are 3 metre long flaps on the wing’s trailing edges, made of titanium and composites materials. Because the F-35 is an inherently unstable aircraft like most modern fighters, these surfaces are vital for the controllability of the aircraft; advanced computers are used to make minor adjustments on a constant basis in order to keep the plane stable in normal flight.

Stork had been a long-standing producer of the flaperons for the existing F-16 aircraft, which brought this cutting-edge fighter design trend into the mainstream.

This brings the total potential turnover value of JSF related orders for Stork to over $500 million. Stork has already involved around twenty suppliers in the Netherlands in these JSF orders, and this number is expected to increase further when the production phase starts.

Stork Aerospace develops and produces advanced components and systems for the aviation and aerospace industry, and supplies integrated services and products to aircraft owners and operators. The group reports a turnover of EUR 551 million in 2005, and has 3,385 employees. See corporate release, also Dutch Ministerie van Defensie release.