News Review: Ferra scores JSF full-rate production contract | ADM May 2010

1 May 2010

Joint Strike Fighter prime contractor Lockheed Martin and subcontractor Marvin Engineering Co. Inc. have signed a second Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Brisbane-based Ferra Engineering Pty Ltd for work on the JSF program.

The first MoU, covering only the System Development & Demonstration (SDD) and Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phases of the program was signed in August 2003 and saw Ferra become a sole-source supplier of Alternative Mission Equipment weapon adaptors worth an estimated $20 million.

However, it was stated at the time that follow-on work during the subsequent Full Rate Production (FRP) phases could be worth between US$77 and US$177 million.

"In a deal that is potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars, Ferra has been selected as the primary source to manufacture and assemble additional weapon adaptor assembly components for the JSF," Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science said.

"For the past four years Ferra has been manufacturing JSF weapon adaptor assemblies which allow the aircraft to carry different ordnance for different missions.

"The adapters were used in the System Development & Demonstration and initial Low Rate Initial Production phases of the JSF Program."

Marvin Engineering is one of the US's largest precision machining firms, specialising in the engineering design and manufacture of aerospace components, including, pylons, adaptors and bulkheads.

It is a first tier subcontractor to Lockheed Martin on the JSF program.

"Ferra, a small privately-owned company of around 100 people, is one of Australia's leading manufacturers of light metal components for the defence/aerospace, telecommunications/electronics and automotive industry sectors," Combet said.

"The Government welcomes this significant step toward securing a major opportunity for Australian industry on the JSF Program.

"With Defence support, Ferra is also working with Lockheed Martin for the development of new manufacturing techniques to reduce the costs of machining titanium for the JSF and other aerospace programs."

Stressing the importance of such long term agreements for Australian companies, Combet added the agreements improve Australian companies' business case for investment to meet the increasing volumes demanded by the JSF Program.