BAE Systems has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Denmark’s Terma Aerostructures to support F-35 Lightning II production.
Signed during the Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition in London, the latest MOA is expected to be worth up to $250m and has the potential to run through 2038.
As part of the latest development, Terma will continue to manufacture subassemblies, components and parts for the F-35 Lightning II empennage.
In addition, Terma will be responsible for delivering elements of the horizontal tails for all three F-35 variants, and vertical tail components for the conventional take-off and landing variant of F-35A.
BAE Systems F-35 global procurement and supply chain director Paul Burns said: "We have been working together with Terma for over ten years and have developed a strong relationship which is delivering real benefits to both companies and the F-35 programme.
"It is through agreements such as this, with organisations like Terma that will help BAE Systems meet our ‘blueprint for affordability’ commitments on the programme."
Both companies have been collaborating on the F-35 programme since 2006. They entered a contract for the delivery of machined parts for the aircraft in 2009.
In 2013, Terma entered into a long-term agreement with BAE to manufacture large composite skins for the horizontal and vertical tail across all types of the F-35.
Terma’s involvement in the F-35 programme includes eight different production programmes within advanced composite structural parts and electronics.
In August, BAE completed construction of the 200th rear fuselage for the F-35 Lightning II programme.
BAE is responsible for manufacturing the rear section of the aircraft, made up of the rear fuselage and vertical and horizontal tails of the aircraft at its facility in Samlesbury, Lancashire.
Image: Terma President and CEO Jens Maaløe and BAE Systems F-35 global procurement and supply chain director Paul Burns. Photo: courtesy of Terma.
