Northrop Grumman Australia, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corp, says it welcomes the assignment of maintenance, repair, over-haul and upgrade (MRO&U) work for the multi-national F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme to the Australian defence industry.

This means that Northrop Grumman Australia and fellow Australian companies, BAE Systems, MOOG, RUAG, NIOA, Survitec and GE Aviation will provide the capabilities underpinning 13 of 17 MRO&U component repair technology groups assigned to the Asia-Pacific region.

The categories to be undertaken by the Australian defence industry for F-35 Lightning IIs based in the Asia-Pacific region include depot repair for avionics, munitions/weapons delivery, canopy systems, aircraft composite structure, electro-optical systems, electrical components, valves, auxiliary power systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, ‘pneudraulics’, hydro-mechanical systems, landing gear, life support and pumps.

Warren King, interim chief executive of Northrop Grumman Australia (www.northropgrumman.com), said: “Northrop Grumman Australia continues to be fully committed to growing its in-country technical sustainment workforce and capabilities, and this work will allow us to continue supporting the Royal Australian Air Force’s mission and the Australian defence industry at large.”

Northrop Grumman vice-president (technology services supply chain) Steve Hogan said: “MRO&U components are one element of the F-35 global sustainment solution.

“As the US and partner nations activate their F-35 fleets, Northrop Grumman and its industry team will continue to ensure that critical systems are available for tasking and mission training.”