NG selects KUKA for F-35 fuselage support

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., Nov. 10 (UPI) -- KUKA System North America has received a contract from Northrop Grumman to support the production of the F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft.

KUKA announced its Michigan-based operations have been selected by U.S. company Northrop Grumman to provide the F-35 production program with the installation of an integrated assembly line.

The assemble line installed by KUKA is part of an effort to support a production rate of one F-35 center fuselage per day. Officials say the contract is worth more than $100 million.

According to a news release KUKA's contract covers the "supply, installation and commissioning of all assembly tooling and equipment to manufacture the F-35 center fuselage."