17 Maret 2012

Ferra, LMI Join to Build MH-60R Shipsets

17 Maret 2012

MH-60R anti submarine warfare helicopter (photo : Militaryphotos)

Ferra, LMI Join MH-60R Team

Lockheed Martin signed a Global Supply Chain (GSC) Deed with Australia’s Department of Defence in 2011, promising to identify business opportunities for Australian companies.
This week, Lockheed Martin made good on that commitment, selecting Ferra Engineering of Queensland, Australia, as one of two companies to build 120 shipsets for the MH-60R maritime helicopter, known as the Romeo.

Ferra and LMI Aerospace of Missouri will split the MH-60R work worth an anticipated value of approximately $12 million (US). The shipsets include weapons pylons for the Romeos’ left and right sides and mission kit assemblies.

“Lockheed Martin is committed to promoting a strong Australian industrial base,” said Dan Spoor, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s aviation systems. “This agreement positions Ferra and LMI to perform work not only for the MH-60R helicopters being built for Australia, but also for existing and future Romeos as well. It gives Freer and Australia an opportunity to show the rest of the world just how good their aerospace industry is.”

Last June, Australia announced its plans to purchase 24 MH-60Rs from the U.S. Navy to replace 16 existing S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters in operation since the late 1980s. The first two Romeos are scheduled for delivery in early 2014. Lockheed Martin performs the mission package integration work on the MH-60R, while Sikorsky builds the airframe.

Ferra specializes in the design, manufacture, assembly and test of aerospace structures and sub-systems for Australian and international defense and aerospace companies. It has developed high speed machining processes for aerospace materials and is also working with Lockheed Martin on the F-35 Lightning II fifth generation fighter.

Founded in 1948, LMI Aerospace fabricates, machines, finishes, and integrates formed, close tolerance aluminum and specialty alloy components and sheet metal products primarily for large commercial, corporate and military aircraft.

Under the GSC Deed, Lockheed Martin will continue working to establish long-term partnerships with Australian companies so they can compete for subcontracts on a full range of the company’s products and services.

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