Quickstep on target for global aerospace program
Quickstep Holdings has delivered its 100th manufactured carbon-fibre composite part for its F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) contract with global aerospace company Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Quickstep managing director, Philippe Odouard said: “We are pleased we have delivered our 100th manufactured part for the Joint Strike Fighter program, meeting production commitments agreed more than two years ago.
This is an important milestone for the company, which reinforces our reputation as a proven supplier of high quality carbon-fibre composite parts.
Our successful involvement in the world’s largest military aerospace program is a powerful endorsement of our capability, essential for winning further supply contracts in the aerospace and automotive industries.”
Minister for Defence Materiel Dr Mike Kelly said: “Quickstep’s performance on the Joint Strike Fighter program is an outstanding example of an innovative Australian company supporting international defence contracts.
This demonstrates the strong capability of Australian manufacturers to deliver products for global supply chains.”
Quickstep will manufacture 21 different parts for the JSF program at its Bankstown Airport facility.
The overall agreement to supply JSF parts to several different Original Equipment Manufacturers is valued at up to $700 million to the company over two decades.
At peak production rates, the company is expected to generate JSF revenue of about $40 million a year.
About 3000 JSF aircraft are expected to be delivered over the life of the JSF program, with 70 delivered to the US Department of Defence to date.
The program is valued at over US$300 billion.
