Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) signed a contract with Lockheed Martin to produce wings for the F-35 fighter. IAI will begin delivering the F-35 wings in 2015. The contract’s duration is for about 10-15 years, with potential sales reaching $2.5 billion.

Mr. Yosef Melamed and Mr. Yung Le at the foundation stone laying ceremony held at IAI

The contract marks a key milestone in the existing F-35 cooperation between IAI and Lockheed Martin. Both companies recently began assembling an F-35 wing production line, with IAI investing in the required advanced systems and technologies.

Joseph Weiss, President and CEO of IAI, said: “This agreement represents an important milestone for IAI and ensures its involvement in the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft. I welcome the strengthening relationship with Lockheed Martin, a leading manufacturer of aircraft.”

During the foundation stone ceremony, which took place on April 22nd at IAI, Yosef Melamed, General Manager of IAI’s Lahav Division said: “IAI has extensive experience and knowledge in producing wings. Our Lahav Wing Production Center produces wings for Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and the United States’ Air Force T-38 aircraft.”

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) – Photo taken from globalsecurity.org

“This agreement is another important milestone in the long standing partnership we have with Israel Aerospace Industries,” said Steve O’Bryan, Vice President of F-35 Program Integration and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “IAI has been supplying Lockheed Martin with essential components for our platforms for many years and their participation in the F-35 program is a natural development of this relationship.”

View original IAI publication at: http://www.iai.co.il/32981-45275-en/MediaRoom_News.aspx

About IAI
Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) is the largest aerospace and defense industry in Israel. IAI is one of Israel’s largest industrial exporters and a globally recognized leader in the defense and commercial markets. IAI provides unique system-of-systems solutions for a broad spectrum of needs in space, air, land, sea, and homeland defense, including: unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), radars, mission aircraft, AEW, EW, ELINT/ESM, SIGINT, and COMINT/COMJAM, aerial refueling, Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missiles (ATBM), missiles, smart weapons, satellites and launchers, and many other core technologies, products, and services.