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On Aug 8/06, DefenseLINK announced a $19.6 million firm-fixed-price undefinitzed action contract for advance procurement of titanium in support of F-22A Lot 8 aircraft, with full funds committed (FA8611-06-C-2899). Work will be complete in October 2009, which is when Lot 8 production is scheduled; the current production set is Lot 6. The titanium suppliers will be American, of course, vid. The Berry Amendment controversy.
The F-22A Raptor makes heavy use of titanium in order to give it the lightness, strength, stability, and temperature resistance required by its supersonic stealth design. As such, titanium prices are a significant component of the fighter’s cost. Guess someone thinks the price is about to rise – and given increased global demand, they’re hardly alone.