LOS ANGELES, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. company Lockheed Martin has selected Hitco Carbon Composites Inc. to support the production of the F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter aircraft.
California-based Hitco said Lockheed Martin has signed a letter of intent selecting the company to participate in the F-35 Lightning II program. Hitco, an SGL Group subsidiary, will supply Lockheed Martin with wing skins and other components for the F-35.
As part of being selected, Hitco will become a strategic competitive supplier for Lockheed Martin, supporting the F-35 program with its bismaleimide composite materials.
"Hitco intends to utilize its Viper 6000 Automated Fiber Placement machine to manufacture the majority of these components," Edward Carson, Hitco executive vice president, said in a statement.
"We can achieve more efficient and reliable fabrication of complex composite aircraft structures utilizing this state-of-the-art equipment."
