EL SEGUNDO, Calif., March 6 (UPI) -- Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. has delivered its first composite parts in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft program.
TAI is under contract from Northrop Grumman Corp. to deliver as many as 400 center fuselages for the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 Lightning II program.
Officials said the delivery by TAI of six composite panels marks the first shipment for the company and establishes an international industrial participation in the F-35 Lightning II program.
"This delivery represents two significant milestones for the program," Mark Tucker, Northrop Grumman vice president of tactical systems and F-35 program manager, said in a statement.
"It demonstrates that TAI can build composite parts to the precision level needed for a high-volume, international aircraft program. And it gives Northrop Grumman a very positive progress report on its commitment to grow and nurture international industrial participation in the program."
