GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin (www.lockheedmartin.com) have signed a contract to increase production of bulkheads for the F-35 Lightning II programme through to 2023.

The bulkheads are critical for the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) and carrier variants (CV). Their lead times are among the longest for any F-35 part, and they are made from some of the largest titanium forgings used in any aircraft.

The new contract is another milestone in a long-term business relationship between GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin. GKN Aerospace already provides the F-35 with critical engine components, electrical-wiring interconnection systems, the cockpit canopy and advanced composite aerostructures.

It also has contracts to deliver the in-flight opening doors and the landing-gear drag brace, and it maintains and services the landing gear for the F-35 fleet in Europe and the Pacific.

Mike McCann, CEO of GKN Aerostructures and Systems (North America) (www.gkn.com), said: “GKN has a strong relationship with Lockheed Martin and a history of partnering with them to support the F-35 programme.

“Our dedicated employees worked very hard to demonstrate that GKN has a proven ability to deliver high-quality parts on time.

"In addition, collaborative engineering efforts between GKN Aerospace and Lockheed Martin enabled us to maximise efficiencies to help reduce unit prices within the contract and support cost reductions.”

The contract will be fulfilled at the GKN Aerospace Monitor Inc facility in Amityville (New York) and the GKN Aerospace Precision Machining Inc facility in Wellington (Kansas).