The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program exemplifies the thread of this year’s Defence and Industry Conference, according to CASG chief Kim Gillis.
The Deputy Secretary of the Capability, Acquisition and Sustainment Group made the comments at the 2016 Defence and Industry Conference being held today in Canberra.
“I believe there is no other program that better demonstrates the value of partnership between Defence and industry to build capability than the F-35 program,” he said.
“With more than half a billion dollars worth of work already won by Australian industry in the production phase of the F-35 program, Defence and industry are now working together on a range of new opportunities.
“Australian industry has already secured US$554.5 million of F-35 work with more opportunities to come as F-35 production more than triples over the next four years.
“It’s exceptional that Australian industry is supplying components to the entire fleet of F-35s with around 3000 aircraft expected to be manufactured worldwide.”
Defence estimates that Australian industry performance in production will reach US$2 billion by 2023 with further opportunities beyond.
“The F-35 Program embodies our approach and will enhance the partnership between Defence and industry in the future,” Mr Gillis said.
“While the achievements in the program so far have been in design and production, the F-35 Global Support System is developing with a new round of opportunities now available.
“As a key F-35 partner and the only partner permanently located in the Asia Pacific region, Australia has the opportunity to strengthen the F-35 Global Support System and increase affordability and availability for global F-35 customer’s world wide.
“Australian industry is central to an effective, affordable and sustainable Defence capability and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to delivering not only the F-35 program but across the broad spectrum of Defence projects.”
The suppliers contributing to the project are:
- Marand - Vertical tails, Engine removal and installation trainer
- Quickstep - Composite parts
- TAE, Levett, Ferra and HTA - Avionics chassis machining and vacuum brazing
- Lovitt, Ferra, Levett and Aerostaff - Airframe component machining
- Rockwell Collins Australia and AW Bell - Electro optical components
- Adacel - Voice recognition software
- Cablex, BAES Australia, AW Bell, Micreo, Partech Systems, Levett and CSC Australia - Radar, CNI and EW components and TPS development
- Ferra - Weapons adaptors and vehicle system components
- Chemring Australia - Flares
- RUAG Australia and Goodrich Customer Services Australia - Actuators (landing gear, bay doors and utility)
- Marand, Broens and Hofmann Metaltec - Tooling
- WASA, Levett, Ferra, and PHM Technologies - Engine material, components and analysis
- BAES Australia - Corrosion sensors
- Varley and Broens - Ground support handling fixtures
- Trimcast - Shipping containers
- Electromold, SEC Plating and RUAG Australia - Coatings, platings and finishings
- Thales Australia - Engineering support
- HTA - Thermal processing
- Calytrix, BAES Australia, Marand and Qinetiq Australia - JSF Studies