The F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft, being built by Lockheed Martin, will use Curtiss-Wright Controls structural components and hardware for the Trapeze hardware system.

The Trapeze system will be used for evaluation in the F-35’s system development and demonstration (SDD) phase.

During the SDD phase it will provide the ability to utilise rail-launched missiles carried on a trapeze that swings clear of the F-35’s weapon bay.

The ability to support rail-launched missiles will enhance the F-35 JSF’s mission flexibility.

The contract will continue until 2012 when the F-35 supersonic, multirole, fifth-generation stealth fighter will enter into service.