Kongsberg Defence Systems has secured a contract to supply additional structural components for the eighth production lot (LRIP 8) of F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter (JSF) aircraft.

The NOK160m ($26.6m) contract, awarded by Lockheed Martin, covers production and delivery of vertical leading edges and rudders components for a total of 40 fighters.

Kongsberg has to date received contracts for five previous production lots (LRIP 3 to 7).

Lockheed Martin F-35 International Programs vice-president Susan Ouzts said the contract is a testament to the continuing long-term international cooperation between the company and Kongsberg.

"KONGSBERG continues to demonstrate the high levels of technical and manufacturing sophistication that are required to compete for work on the F-35, and we expect more F-35 industrial participation for Norway as we continue to move through the Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phases," Ouzts said.

Kongsberg Defence Systems Aerostructures executive vice-president Terje Brathen said, "This contract demonstrates KONGSBERG’s continued competitiveness of high end manufacturing and represents a new significant milestone for our aerostructures business."

Currently under development in three versions by Lockheed, the F-35 JSF is a fifth-generation multirole fighter aircraft designed to conduct an array of ground attack, reconnaissance and air defence missions with stealth capability.

The variants include a conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft for the US and allied air forces, a short take-off and landing (STOVL) fighter for the US Marine Corps (USMC) and the Royal Navy, and a carrier version (CV) for the US Navy.

The company did not disclose the contract’s delivery schedule.

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Image: Lockheed and Kongsberg officials after signing F-35 structural components production contract. Photo: © 2013 KONGSBERG.