An F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft. Credit: US Air Force, Airman 1st Class Caleb Worpel.

Beryllium and copper advanced alloys company IBC Advanced Alloys has secured a contract to build production azimuth gimbal housings component for the F-35 Lightning II fighter jet’s electro-optical targeting system (EOTS).

The minimum $7.8m contract awarded by Lockheed Martin includes the delivery of additional quantities of spares expected in the last two years of the three-year agreement.

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Azimuth gimbal housing units will be manufactured using IBC Advanced Alloys’ beryllium-aluminum alloy, known as Beralcast.

The company’s advanced technology enables it to precisely cast the beryllium alloy parts so they are more cost-effective for Lockheed Martin and taxpayers than traditionally used manufacturing techniques.

IBC Advanced Alloys Engineered Materials Division president Chris Huskamp said: “IBC’s proprietary casting process stands alone when it comes to delivering stiff, light, and reliable parts for modern aircraft imaging systems.

“IBC’s beryllium-aluminum alloys allow EOTS to acquire targets at longer distances and help decrease vibration and signal noise to the system.”

“Our net-shape casting process represents a significant cost advantage when compared to traditional machining of consolidated powder billets.

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“Our recent investments in new capital equipment and personnel have strategically positioned us to support the increased volumes for Lockheed with exceptional cost competitiveness.”

The F-35 Lightning II’s EOTS system is integrated with modern sensor technology, a low-profile sapphire window design and advanced algorithms that enable long-range target recognition, identification and tracking.

To ensure high lethality and survivability, EOTS uses infrared search and track mode to monitor multiple airborne threats at extended ranges.

IBC’s beryllium-aluminum alloys allow EOTS to acquire targets at longer distances and help decrease vibration and signal noise to the system, increasing the electro-optical resolution range.

The current deal covers Lot 12, 13, and 14 of the US Department of Defense’s low rate of initial production purchase schedule for the F-35 fighter aircraft.

The F-35 Lightning II aircraft is a fifth-generation fighter jet that combines advanced low observable stealth technology with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment.

Separately, Lockheed Martin has awarded a five-year contract to BAE Systems for the readiness of critical electronic warfare systems on the F-35s.