BAE Systems has switched on a new, state-of-the-art production line for the fifth generation F-35 Lightning aircraft at the company’s facility in Samlesbury, UK.

The new Integrated Assembly Line has been installed as part of the latest phase of a new F-35 jet manufacturing facility at the site, which opened in March 2012.

The production line will use an automated overhead monorail system to ‘pulse’ sections of the rear fuselage for all three F-35 variants around the assembly line, increasing efficiency within the plant and allowing more units to be produced.

The line is expected to help BAE’s production team to ramp up output from the current level of one per week to around one per day by 2016, the required level to support production of the aircraft. A similar line is also planned to enter production in 2013 in order to support the assembly of horizontal and vertical tails for the aircraft.

The new production line marks a period of BAE investment in the production of F-35 aircraft, following on from the completion of a new titanium machining facility that opened in 2010.

Approximately 15% of production work for the F-35 Lightning II is carried out within the UK, with more than 130 UK-based companies contributing to the programme.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.