Triumph Group Inc.’s Actuation Products & Services business has drawn a contract extension from Lockheed Martin for repair and technical readiness support to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet. The group’s operation in Clemmons, N.C., will provide engineering and material support for the program over the next five years.
According to Lockheed the global F-35 fleet has surpassed 1,000 aircraft, and it recently supplied the first two jets incorporating an abbreviated version of the Technology Refresh-3 package of advanced software, improved data-processing capabilities, greater computer memory, and enhanced graphical displays.
The delivered F-35As were supplied to U.S. Air Force for training programs.
While the TR-3 update to the entire F-35 fleet is necessary for Lockheed to proceed with broader Block 4 upgrade that will advance the aircraft’s electronic warfare capabilities, the TR-3 has been slowed by multiple delays in the development of the new program software.
No value was reported for the new F-35 repair and readiness agreement. Pennsylvania-based Triumph Group designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, and overhauls aerospace and defense systems and components for numerous military and commercial aircraft operators.
Triumph has provided original equipment and aftermarket hydraulic utility actuation valves (HUAV) for the F-35 program since 2014, and began working with Lockheed to provide HUAV aftermarket parts for military depot operations in 2021.
The engineering and logistics agreement in support of sustainment efforts at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point (N.C.) will provide further technical support in high demand depot settings.
"Triumph's support to the F-35 program, Lockheed Martin, and the warfighters and maintainers who expect and demand fleet readiness is a reflection of our growing military aftermarket presence," explained Natasha Trudeau, President of Triumph Actuation Product & Services.
The Lockheed-built F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the largest defense program in the U.S. and involves 19 other nations as partners and/or customers. The program involves about 1,650 manufacturing partners, too.
